The New Year brings with it the promise of turning over a new leaf, of accomplishing something fun and different. We asked five interior designers what the new year means for them. From going green to embracing bold choices, these designers are pushing boundaries this year.
Invest in Cozy
“It’s funny, I was just making a mental note of my resolutions, and a lot of my focus was on self-care, which I believe can really carry over into the home,” says Shannon Frappied of One Kings Lane Interior Design. “For me, it’s putting more of an investment in cozy bed linens and decor items. Similar to my wardrobe, I want pieces in my home to carry me through a year and onward, instead of seasonally. This can be specific to blankets and throw pillows, which most people tend to swap out once or twice a year. I want these items to be purposeful and speak to my everyday style. If I’m putting more of an investment into them, I want them to last for a long time.”
Photo by Tony Vu
Photo courtesy of Robin Rains
Customize More
“In 2020, I’d really like to focus on broadening my source library and incorporate more local makers into projects,” says Nashville-based interior designer Robin Rains. “I love the entire customization process, and having the ability to put my eyes on the piece is really key in ensuring a flawless end result. Plus, it’s always nice to be able to support artisan work, and a handcrafted piece that perfectly reflects the client’s style is always a win.”
Three-Prong Approach
San Francisco-based designer Sean Leffers, who was recently named a Next Wave Designer by House Beautiful, is taking a three-pronged approach to his 2020 resolutions. First up: Go green. “I am weaning myself, our team, and our clients off of single-use plastic water bottles. I was sick when I realized how many thousands I waste every year. All of our clients got chic, moss-colored water bottles from Prada for the holidays,” he says. Next on his list: Travel more. “The single most important inspiration for my work this past year was a trip to Japan. I learned a lot about restraint and elegance. This year my big trip will be to the wild, maximalist paradise that is India.” And finally: Work with more artisans. “I learn so much from collaborative work. In a world increasingly dominated by screens, it is so nice to sit together—solving problems and making beautiful things. It’s so important to support creatives and highly-skilled trades like this if we want to keep these talents in our communities.”
Photo courtesy of Sean Leffers
Photo courtesy of Catherine Austin
Go for Bold
“My design resolution for 2020 is to encourage clients to be more daring and only surround themselves with colors, art, and objects that bring them joy,” says North Carolina-based interior designer Catherine Austin. “If you are true to your own tastes, then you will have a deeply personal interior unlike anyone else’s. My own home is a cabinet of curiosities collected from travels that evoke memories of beloved people and places all set against a backdrop of my favorite colors.”
Spotlight More Artists
“We always strive to introduce our clients to local, emerging artists to start a collection or to add to an existing collection,” say the designers of Atlanta-based Carter Kay Interiors. “We feel that this supports our local artists as well as creating a collection that is unique for each client. No cookie-cutter art for our clients this year!”
Photo courtesy of Carter Kay Interiors
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