Style at Home: Meet the designer: Dana Gibson

Designer Dana Gibson approaches her decorating projects by first painting everything white, despite her reputation for incorporating vibrant colors and lively patterns into her home accents and wallpapers. This initial whiteout allows her to understand how light interacts with the space and to determine subsequent design needs. For her split-level home in Richmond, Virginia, this process began with extensive renovations alongside her contractor husband, Mark. They removed dark paneling, cabinetry, and carpeting, and rebuilt the front steps. To enhance the home's aesthetic, they added crown molding and a wainscot to highlight the windows and visually elevate the low ceilings. With the structural work complete, Gibson reintroduced color, favoring bright hues to maximize natural light. She utilized her own cheerful wallpaper designs to establish flexible color palettes, deliberately avoiding exact color coordination when layering accessories over neutral furnishings. Her philosophy is that colors do not need to perfectly match to create a dynamic feel. While some might categorize her style as "Richmond preppy," Gibson describes it as distinctly Southern, influenced by the region's openness. She envisions her home as reflecting a world traveler's sensibilities, drawing inspiration from European architecture, Australian lightness, and Mexican folk art. The exterior underwent a significant transformation, replacing crumbling brick steps with charming fieldstone and refreshing the brick chimney. The front door was painted in Benjamin Moore's Blueberry Hill, a vibrant color that serves as a welcoming introduction to the home's interior, complemented by a Richmond Outdoor Hanging Lantern from Shades of Light. Inside, the entryway was updated from dark and dated to bright and inviting. Gibson addressed the challenge of eight-foot ceilings by installing new crown molding and a chandelier to draw the eye upward. An antique Virginia huntboard and an ornate heirloom mirror further contribute to the elevated design. The entryway features Dana Gibson for Stroheim's Peregrine in Multi Bright wallpaper and durable linoleum tiles mimicking marble, a tribute to her grandmother's home. In the living room, Gibson eliminated plain drywall by adding a wainscot, which provides architectural interest reminiscent of European manors and visually lifts the low ceiling. The limited wall space above the wainscot was painted in a bright yellow (Bridget Beari Colors' Bing Bong). To harmonize various patterns, Gibson incorporates tiny prints, known as "ditsy patterns" in the trade, to contrast with larger florals or graphic stripes. Blue throw pillows in Guppy fabric provide a counterpoint to the oversized Suki design on the curtain panels, both from Gibson’s studio collection. The dining room, initially stalled after wallpaper installation, found its direction when a living room rug was moved into the space, providing color cues. Gibson’s gray-and-red floral Poppy wallpaper complemented reproduction dining chairs, which were adorned with fuchsia striped pillows. A chunky antique table is simply but effectively decorated with five potted plants in mossy terra-cotta pots. The primary bedroom blends international and traditional elements, featuring coordinated bedding and upholstery alongside a Mexican folk art cabinet used as a nightstand. This mix, particularly with a blue-and-white palette, creates an interesting contrast. Gibson frequently sources antiques to ensure unique pieces. Her own fabrics are used for lampshades, chaise upholstery, and curtains. The primary bathroom was expanded and designed to feel more like a room than a utilitarian space, incorporating plantation shutters, marble tile, and a Ro Sham Beaux beaded chandelier. Shiplap walls provide a relaxed counterpoint to more refined elements like a gilded mirror and a floor-mounted bath fixture. Even small spaces, like the vanity, receive a vibrant touch with raspberry pink wallpaper, specifically Fatima, a hot pink paper printed by Gibson herself, making the bay area appear like a gift-wrapped niche that can be closed off if it becomes untidy. The backyard terrace emphasizes lush foliage with a minimalist design, using a sturdy striped Sunbrella fabric on Ballard Designs cushions for a wrought-iron patio set inherited from her parents. This neutral base allows for rotating colorful pillows, such as turquoise or fuchsia, to add accents to the frequently used outdoor space. #HomeMakeover #InteriorDesign #ColorPalette #PatternMixing #RichmondHome #BeforeAndAfter #HomeDecoration #WallpaperDesign #SouthernStyle

This article highlights the design philosophy and home transformation journey of Dana Dore, a professional stylist, blogger, and Instagram influencer known as Adored House by Dana Dore (@adoredhouse). Dore, residing in Farmingdale, Monmouth County, New Jersey, has garnered significant attention for her ability to infuse charm and color into her family’s 1,700-square-foot, builder-grade home, making it appear older and larger than its 12 years and 8-foot ceilings suggest. She emphasizes that with clever decorating tricks, any house can become a dream home, a sentiment she lives by through her personal renovation projects. Dore's design approach relies heavily on vintage decor, which she believes offers unmatched quality and appearance compared to new items. Her home features a variety of pre-loved pieces, from antique art and furniture to restored cabinets, contributing to its unique character. Even the landscaping, with its mature garden beds overflowing with hydrangeas and roses, gives the impression of an established, vintage setting. She attributes her DIY skills and appreciation for antiques to her parents, who fostered an early interest in home improvement, painting, and collecting. This upbringing naturally led her to study art and design, culminating in a 14-year career in retail display before she transitioned into social media content creation. Her family home, shared with her husband Bob and their two daughters, is situated in a quiet, rural community but remains conveniently close to popular New Jersey Shore beaches like Belmar and Manasquan. This proximity influences her design choices, incorporating nautical references and timeless beach objects throughout the interior. Despite initial reservations about purchasing a new colonial-style house that lacked the charm she desired, Dore proceeded with the assurance that she could personalize it extensively. Her philosophy, "Love the one you’re with," encourages homeowners to transform their spaces regardless of the property's original character, especially given the current real estate market's limited inventory of older homes. The transformation of her home began in 2016, focusing on first-floor living areas, the primary bedroom, and her daughters’ room. Her daughters actively participated in designing their "sisters suite," a collaborative effort that reminded Dore of her own teenage experience renovating her bedroom with a Victorian theme. The home showcases an exuberant color palette, particularly favoring summery yellows and greens, complemented by classic patterns like stripes and gingham. Dore's passion for unique finds is evident in pieces such as her indestructible ship-hatch door coffee table, which is ideal for family game nights. She is an avid thrifter, frequently utilizing Facebook Marketplace to source vintage items within driving distance, including her daughters' twin beds, the kitchen table, and a spacious TV cabinet. For a quintessential summer home with a Shore vibe, Dore recommends white bed linens, fresh flowers, and homemade treats made with local Jersey peaches, ultimately advising homeowners to fill their spaces with cherished items for their loved ones. This article showcases Dore's expertise in interior styling, her ability to blend vintage elements with modern comfort, and her dedication to creating a personalized and inviting living space. Her journey from a retail display artist to a prominent design influencer illustrates the power of creative vision and hands-on effort in making a house a beloved home.

Achieving a harmonious blend of diverse styles, materials, and colors in home design without creating a cluttered or mismatched appearance is a common challenge for homeowners. As winter approaches, the desire to cultivate a cohesive and comfortable living space intensifies. Interior designer Monique Gibson exemplifies this balanced approach, notably in the open-plan kitchen she conceived for actress Meg Ryan. This kitchen-diner stands out for its skillful integration of modern and classic elements. The enduring popularity of farmhouse kitchens, particularly those adhering to the modern farmhouse style, in American kitchen design is attributed to their ability to feel both sophisticated and practical, especially during the busy holiday season and throughout the year. Meg Ryan's home showcases a modern farmhouse aesthetic that strikes a perfect balance. It respects traditional design while maintaining a contemporary feel, combining rustic textures with modern elegance to create a space that is inviting for winter evenings yet remains refreshingly organized. This design philosophy has been championed by figures like Joanna Gaines from *Fixer Upper*. The widespread adoption of this style is understandable, given its neutral color palette, use of organic materials, and emphasis on comfort, which together foster a serene and functional environment. The essence of this style lies in reimagining traditional elements for contemporary living, a process that is more straightforward than it might appear. Interior designer Sarah Kruse, founder of Storie, defines modern farmhouse as the incorporation of old and new, featuring vintage-style furnishings alongside newer shapes and materials, all while consistently acknowledging nature. The approach involves taking the best aspects of the past and adapting them for a 21st-century lifestyle. To initiate a similar transformation in one's own home, the primary focus should be on the color scheme. A successful modern farmhouse design is built upon a neutral foundation. This involves layering whites, creams, and soft charcoal tones to establish a crisp, contemporary base. This neutral backdrop allows for the later addition of seasonal accent colors while ensuring the space does not appear cold or sterile, particularly during colder months. Ruth Mottershead, creative director of Little Greene, advises using off-white or pale neutrals to prevent a stark appearance. She suggests employing different neutral tones from the same color family to facilitate layering and create seamless transitions between rooms, thereby imparting a sense of consistency with subtle variations. Finally, integrating diverse textures is crucial for achieving an authentic and welcoming atmosphere. Without a variety of textures, a farmhouse kitchen can lack character. It is important to consider the room holistically and incorporate mixed materials to inject vibrancy and warmth into the central living area. Layering these elements provides essential depth and dimension. Martin Waller, co-founder of Andrew Martin, emphasizes that the layering of materials, colors, and shapes contributes to the overall texture that defines a kitchen's look and feel. Camilla Clarke, creative director at Albion Nord, further states that a flat design is undesirable and recommends mixing textures such as natural timber with smooth marble and stainless steel to create an ideal foundation for layering neutral colors and subtle patterns. #CelebrityStyle #ModernFarmhouse #KitchenDesign #InteriorDesign #NeutralPalette #TexturalLayering #HomeDecor #MegRyan #MoniqueGibson

Brooke Giannetti, renowned interior designer, author, and owner of Patina Home & Garden, recently relocated from Ojai, California, to Leipers Fork, Tennessee, with her architect husband, Steve Giannetti. Her move to the South marks a new chapter for the design guru, who brings her distinctive 'Patina Style' aesthetic and a collection of animals to her new home. This style, articulated in her first book, emphasizes natural materials that beautifully age, incorporating antiques, natural textiles like linen, velvet, and leather, and reclaimed building materials to imbue projects with depth and a sense of history. Giannetti's design philosophy embraces the beauty of imperfection and the stories that aged items tell. The relocation was prompted by Steve Giannetti's work on a 450-acre property near Leipers Fork seven years prior. The couple was captivated by the natural beauty and close-knit community of the area, eventually finding their own 100-acre property in October 2022. This move was driven by a desire to slow down and create a unique living and working environment. Their new property, Patina Meadow, includes an 1850s log cabin that they initially planned to renovate as a temporary residence while building a new home. However, they fell in love with the cabin's character and decided to make it their permanent dwelling, appreciating its 175-year-old log walls and the personality they embody. Patina Home & Garden, Giannetti's retail shop in Leipers Fork, reflects her design aesthetic by offering a curated selection of items. The store features rustic European antiques from countries like Sweden, France, Belgium, and England. The home goods available are inspired by these antiques, providing unique pieces across various price points to ensure accessibility for different budgets. Current favorites include AquaVireo Belgian Linen napkins and placemats with frayed edges in nature-inspired colors, and the full Linnea soy candle collection, known for its natural ingredients. Additionally, the Farm Shop within Patina Home & Garden offers healthy food options from local vendors, such as baked goods from Sage from Scratch, pasta sauces from Gardner’s Farm, and goat cheese from Noble Springs Dairy, emphasizing local and sustainable provisions. Future plans for Patina Meadow involve developing the property into a destination for visitors. Once the event barn construction is complete, Giannetti intends to host various classes, including pottery and homesteading practices, as well as forest forages. The aim is to foster an appreciation for the natural world and its abundance among guests. Giannetti also shares a significant piece of advice she received from her husband: to trust her innate design sensibility rather than seeking formal training, emphasizing the value of personal style and intuition in her creative process. Outside of her core priorities, she values her morning walks in the woods, a natural skincare routine, and fresh-cut flowers. Her experiences since moving to Tennessee highlight the friendly community, the serene back porch of Patina Home & Garden, and local culinary delights, all contributing to her new life in the South. #BrookeGiannetti #InteriorDesign #PatinaStyle #HomeDecor #LeipersFork #TennesseeLiving #ArchitecturalDesign #PatinaHomeAndGarden #Renovation