Shea McGee Just Joined MasterClass, But First She Told Us About the Top Living Room Mistakes

Interior designer Shea McGee, known for her thriving business Studio McGee and her work on Netflix's Dream Home Makeover, has released her first design book, "The Art of Home: A Designer Guide to Creating an Elevated Yet Approachable Home." The book aims to make high-end design principles accessible for any home and budget, guiding readers through the design process and offering room-specific advice. McGee emphasizes that design is a step-by-step process of unfolding decisions and layers, and she is passionate about helping people create authentic and functional spaces. The book begins with the entryway, which McGee considers crucial for setting the home's tone. She suggests five essential items for a functional and stylish entryway: a console table, a lamp, a mirror, a tray or bowl as a drop zone, and a candle. In smaller spaces, a vintage rug can ground the area and introduce color and pattern. Other elements like ottomans, floor plants, and sculptural objects can also enhance the space. For living rooms, McGee typically starts here or in the kitchen, as these are central to daily living. A good layout is paramount, fostering conversation and intimacy rather than pushing furniture against walls. She recommends ottomans over coffee tables in compact areas for their versatility. McGee's eclectic style balances old and new, achieved by focusing on compatible tones, textures, proportions, and shapes, and repeating motifs. She advises against ultra-modern fireplace designs if the room features soft moldings, highlighting the importance of rhythm and flow over strict cohesion, using modern lamps with antique chests as an example of successful style mixing. In the kitchen, functionality and beauty are equally important. McGee prioritizes a "work triangle" (refrigerator, sink, stove) for efficiency. A focal point, such as a decorative range hood, backsplash tiles, or open shelves, is essential to give the eye a place to rest. Durability is key for long-term investments, so timeless materials and finishes are recommended over trendy ones. Creative lighting, including task and accent lighting, can also enhance the kitchen's aesthetic. Dining rooms, having fewer elements, demand careful selection of tables and chairs, with scale being crucial for comfort and flow. The room's shape should guide the table's shape. A decorative light fixture centered over the table, scaled appropriately (two-thirds the table's width and 32-36 inches above), completes the look. McGee's book includes a style guide with practical tips, such as how to properly hang light fixtures. Bedrooms are envisioned as serene sanctuaries achieved through layering textures like quilts, throws, and decorative pillows to create a luxurious feel. Soft textures contribute to relaxation. Upholstered furniture, window treatments, and throw pillows offer opportunities to introduce color and pattern, tying the scheme together and repeating motifs from other elements in the room. McGee also shares tips on pattern mixing for a cohesive bedroom design. Bathroom renovations, often costly, should avoid fleeting trends. McGee advises classic choices for big-ticket items like plumbing, tiles, vanities, and countertops, while allowing for playful, changeable elements like vanity lighting and decorative mirrors. Even with classic tiles, varying patterns or grout colors can add uniqueness without extra cost. Mixing metal finishes, with a dominant metal for plumbing and different finishes for lighting or hardware, is also encouraged. However, powder rooms and kids' bathrooms are exceptions, where bold patterns and trendy colors are embraced. Home offices, now a staple for many, require personalized design for inspiration and productivity. McGee suggests clients consider what inspires them, their hobbies, preferred working environments, and colors. Whether a dark, moody space or a bright, light-filled one, the office should reflect individual preferences. Personalizing the space with hobbies and passions ensures motivation, especially since these rooms are less frequently used by guests or children. Utility rooms, such as mudrooms and laundry rooms, though less glamorous, benefit from thoughtful design to streamline household tasks. McGee emphasizes listing priorities and uses for the space before planning cabinetry. Closed storage helps conceal clutter, while open shelving allows for decorative elements that also serve a purpose. She advocates for a balance between decoration and functionality in these spaces. For kids' rooms, the goal is to balance whimsy with room for growth. McGee recommends investing in foundational pieces like furniture and custom carpentry that have longevity. Personality is added through easily updated decorative accessories, wall colors, and finishes. Ample storage, including some open shelves for display, is essential, though open shelving should be minimized to avoid clutter. Creating a comfortable spot for relaxation, like a fun chair or reading nook, and layering textures also contribute to an inviting and calming environment for children. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #SheaMcGee #StudioMcGee #DesignTips #RoomDesign #HomeStyling #InteriorDecorator #DesignBook

In an exclusive interview, Shea McGee, the star of 'Dream Home Makeover,' shares her essential guidelines for creating cohesive and stylish flooring transitions in open-plan living spaces. She emphasizes the importance of treating flooring as a significant design element, comparable to paint or furniture, which plays a crucial role in defining areas and enhancing the overall flow of a home. McGee highlights two primary strategies for successful transitions: selecting a single, consistent flooring type throughout connected spaces or opting for a contrasting flooring choice to delineate distinct zones. Each approach offers unique aesthetic and practical benefits, catering to different design goals and home layouts. For a seamless and expansive look, McGee advises using the same flooring material across open-plan areas, suggesting that this creates a cohesive and unified aesthetic. She notes that this approach is particularly effective in smaller homes or spaces where visual continuity is desired, as it helps to make rooms appear larger and more integrated. When choosing this option, she recommends considering a neutral color or a versatile material that complements various design schemes. This strategy minimizes visual breaks, promoting a sense of flow and spaciousness that enhances the overall appeal of the interior. Alternatively, for homes with distinct zones within an open plan, McGee advocates for contrasting flooring materials to establish clear boundaries and add visual interest. For instance, she suggests transitioning from wood flooring in a living area to a durable, cleanable material like stone or tile in an entryway. This not only serves a practical purpose by accommodating different functional needs but also allows for creative expression through varying textures and patterns. When implementing contrasting transitions, careful consideration of color, texture, and pattern is crucial to ensure that the chosen materials complement each other without creating a jarring effect. The goal is to create a harmonious balance that respects the individuality of each space while maintaining overall design integrity. McGee also discusses the importance of considering the practical aspects of flooring, such as durability and maintenance, especially in high-traffic areas like entryways. She recommends selecting materials that can withstand wear and tear and are easy to clean. Beyond functionality, she stresses the aesthetic impact of flooring choices, noting that they contribute significantly to the mood and style of a room. Whether aiming for a bright and airy feel with white flooring or a classic and warm ambiance with wood, the flooring selection sets the foundation for the entire design scheme. Ultimately, McGee’s advice underscores the need for thoughtful planning and a balanced approach when designing flooring transitions in modern homes. #FlooringTransition #SheaMcGee #OpenPlanDesign #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #WoodFlooring #WhiteFlooring #DesignTips

Shea Soucie and Martin Horner, co-founders of the Chicago-based interior design and architecture firm Soucie Horner, Ltd., share their insights and tips on home design. Both designers, who were educated at Ecole Speciale d'Architecture in Paris and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, offer their perspectives on emerging trends, signature design elements, and common homeowner mistakes. In the interview, Soucie and Horner discuss the anticipated hot trends for the coming months. They highlight the growing importance of hand-crafted items made from natural materials, a trend they observed at the Leaders of Design Conference in Berlin. Horner elaborates that people are increasingly seeking evidence of a 'human hand' in fabrics, furniture, and ceramics. He also predicts that 'folding' techniques in various materials like paper, leather, fabric, and clay will gain popularity. Furthermore, they identify a trend towards 'hand-me-down design,' where homeowners prioritize craftsmanship, attention to detail, and permanence, envisioning future heirlooms for their children. When asked about their signature elements, Martin Horner reveals his fondness for accessorizing rooms with Linda O’Connor pillows, which are crafted from antique textiles reimagined in a modern way, making each pillow a unique artwork. Shea Soucie, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of continuity in architectural detailing, noting that its absence can make a space feel incomplete or 'not right,' as it's a fundamental element that cannot simply be purchased. The designers also weigh in on design decisions that significantly impact a space. Horner identifies lighting as a critical aspect, stressing the need for a variety of lighting sources, including sconces, recessed fixtures, chandeliers, and floor lamps. He explains that a proper mix of direct and indirect lighting ensures a room is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. A common mistake homeowners make is a lack of understanding regarding scale and proportion. Soucie points out that this often leads to furniture, such as sofas, appearing out of place or 'lost and floating at sea' in a room, underscoring the importance of selecting appropriately sized pieces for the space. Finally, when asked about a must-have furniture item or accessory, Martin Horner advocates for collections. He believes that personal collections are what truly personalize a home, sharing that his own home is filled with vintage crystal decanters and 1920s French porcelain collected since his college days. He emphasizes the sentimental value and stories associated with these collected items, highlighting their role in creating a unique and personal living environment. #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #DesignTrends #SoucieHorner #LightingDesign #ScaleAndProportion #HandCrafted #Collections

Designer Shea McGee recently completed a remodel of her family home, transforming the open-plan living room from a modern rustic style to a more traditional aesthetic. A notable design choice in this remodel was the decision to forgo a sectional sofa, despite the room's generous size. Instead, McGee opted for two separate sofas, strategically placed to define the coffee table area, alongside various other standalone seating options. McGee explained her reasoning in a Studio McGee YouTube video, stating her preference for traditional living rooms to be free of sectionals. She views sectionals as 'fun couches' but reserves them for less formal spaces, such as her basement. This approach allows her main living area to maintain a more refined and 'pretty' appearance. McGee emphasized that choosing two sofas over a sectional does not compromise comfort, highlighting that she finds two distinct sofas to be 'really comfortable.' For those inspired by this dual-sofa arrangement, McGee provided key advice on selecting and coordinating different sofa styles to create a cohesive look. Her primary recommendation involves considering the bases of the sofas: one should be substantial and close to or touching the floor, while the other should feature legs, creating a contrast of weight and lightness in the room. This contrast prevents the space from feeling too heavy or unbalanced. Another crucial tip from McGee is to ensure that the arm heights of both sofas are 'somewhat the same level.' This alignment contributes to a unified visual line across the seating arrangement. Furthermore, she suggested looking for points of continuity in the design styles of the sofas. This could include subtle slopes in the back or arms, or other shared design elements that help connect the different pieces and create a harmonious aesthetic. For individuals planning a living room refresh, replacing a sectional with two individual sofas can significantly alter the room's overall appearance, lending it a more elevated and traditional feel. The article encourages readers to consider this design approach to achieve a refined and sophisticated living space, mirroring McGee's design philosophy. It also provides examples of specific sofas used in McGee's design, offering inspiration for replicating her grown-up aesthetic. #SheaMcGee #LivingRoomDesign #InteriorDesign #SofaSelection #HomeRemodel #TraditionalDecor #FurnitureArrangement #OpenPlanLiving #DesignTips

The transition of seasons provides an opportune moment to update home décor elements such as throw pillows and to introduce a new color palette. The latest Threshold x Studio McGee fall collection is now available, featuring a range of items including high-gloss lamps, hand-tufted Persian rugs, and mirrors inspired by Ralph Lauren designs. Shea McGee highlights her preferred pieces from this collection. Among the featured items is the High Gloss Ceramic Table Lamp, which Shea McGee notes for its unique patina, reminiscent of a perfectly preserved antique, and the distinctive ring indentation across its top. Another favored piece is the Hand Tufted Persian Style Rug, distinguished by its asymmetrical pattern, a departure from the typically saturated and perfectly balanced designs often found in Persian rugs. The rug's nuanced lack of vibrant color is highlighted as a unique attribute rather than a detraction. The Woven Floral Throw Pillow is also part of her favorites, recognized for its crewelwork embroidery, a technique dating back to the 11th century. This specific extra-long lumbar pillow is presented as a statement piece in the fall collection, reflecting time-honored craftsmanship through its intricately threaded wool. Shea McGee's inspiration for this collection draws from 1990s Ralph Lauren advertisements, characterized by American prep, country club aesthetics, and polo themes. This influence is evident in the Tortoise Shell Wall Mirror, with its shield shape and tortoise frame, evoking imagery of a sophisticated horse farm. The Ceramic Trophy Vase is designed with both decorative and functional intent, with its form inspired by trophy cases found in equestrian settings. Another item of note is the Ceramic Link Bowl with Handles, described as a catch-all bowl capable of dominating the design of an entryway console. Its handmade appearance, earthy texture, and distinctive scalloped handles contribute to its eclectic appeal. The Stallion on Canvas Board with Ant Frame also reflects the Ralph Lauren inspiration, recalling the gilded frames and equestrian oil paintings common in 1990s advertising. This version features a slightly less ornate black-rimmed frame and a burnished quality to offer a more accessible integration into modern design styles. Finally, the Eucalyptus Leaf Arrangement is included among Shea's favorites for its organic shape, which mimics foraged fall branches, and its placement within an aesthetically pleasing vessel. This arrangement is presented as a way to incorporate fall colors into home décor. These selected items collectively represent the design ethos of the new fall collection, aiming to blend classic influences with contemporary sensibilities. #FallDecor #ThresholdStudioMcGee #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #SheaMcGee #RalphLaurenInspired #SeasonalDecor #CeramicArt #TextileDesign

Interior designer Shea McGee, known for her work with Studio McGee, suggests a rug layering technique as an effective method to introduce warmth and texture into a living room, especially for the autumn season. This approach involves placing a smaller, decorative rug over a larger, foundational rug. McGee highlights that this not only enhances the room's aesthetic appeal but also adds a significant layer of comfort and coziness, which is particularly desirable during colder months. She often utilizes jute rugs as the base layer, praising their natural texture, durability, and neutral tones, which provide a versatile backdrop. Jute rugs are noted for their ability to withstand high foot traffic and are a cost-effective option for covering a large area. Over this base, McGee recommends adding a smaller rug with a distinct pattern, color, or softer texture. This secondary rug serves as a focal point, drawing attention and allowing for greater creative expression. The choice of the top rug can significantly alter the room's mood, from vibrant and eclectic to subtle and sophisticated. The layering strategy offers practical benefits, such as protecting the underlying flooring and muffling sound, contributing to a more serene environment. Furthermore, it provides flexibility in design, as the smaller top rug can be easily changed to refresh the room's look with minimal effort or expense, adapting to seasonal trends or personal preferences. McGee's design philosophy emphasizes creating comfortable, stylish, and functional living spaces, and this rug hack aligns perfectly with her goal of achieving a well-layered and inviting home. The article encourages readers to experiment with different rug combinations to discover a style that reflects their individuality and enhances their living room's ambiance. This rug layering technique is presented as an accessible and impactful design solution for anyone looking to infuse their living space with warmth and character. #SheaMcGee #StudioMcGee #RugLayering #LivingRoomDecor #FallDecorIdeas #JuteRug #HomeInterior #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor