Have you ever wondered about how an interior designer decorates for their own home? I definitely have and specifically wondered if they take their style up a notch or go more minimalist, since they are around design all day for work. Well today's home tour with interior designer, owner of The English Room in Charlotte, North Carolina, Holly Hollingsworth Phillips is sharing her home with us, and let me tell you - she's definitely answers with the first option because she is anything but minimal in her approach to decorating in her own home.
"Classic style mixed with an eclectically modern twist," is what you'll read when visiting Holly's design firm, The English Room's website, and I think this is a perfectly precise way to describe the work she does as an interior designer. I became familiar with Holly and her work, as were both participants in the One Room Challenge....remember my big reveal? Well, Holly had a big one of her own. It was, actually, of her own home and quite to my delight, she decorated with not one but two llama prints from my series, Far Far Away.
Let's chat with Holly about it...
### This is such a wonderfully eclectic room! I understand that it's actually your home, and the home that you grew up in no less! It must have been a very personal project, which are many times the most difficult. If it’s not impossible, could you give us an overall decor direction or inspiration that you began with for this room?
> I knew I wanted the space to feel fresh and bright. It has always been a cozy room but dark as well. The ceilings were dropped to give it that warm feel when my parents built the house. I am also an avid color lover and knew it had to have great art and bold colors.
### When it came to designing this space, did you approach it differently than you would, if it were for a client?
> Absolutely, I am much bolder when designing for myself. Clients put more restriction on my creativity and generally want softer palettes. I go all out with my home.
### That makes sense to me, it's your time to let loose. Would you say that thedesign style of this room is typical of your aesthetic as an interior designer, though?
> I have recently been really drawn to chartreuse. This sofa fabric was a must. The animal print carpet is certainly a favorite design element I love to use. I do love to mix modern furniture and traditional antiques for that collected look.
### What are your three favorite things in the room?
> I adore all the art because it is what really elevates an interior and personalizes it. In that room the artists represented are Gray Malin, Gina Julian, Charlie Hanavich, Geraldine Neuwirth, and Stephanie Henderson as well was sculpture pieces by Virginia Scotchie. After that I would say my acrylic backgammon table, and my Florence Broadhurst for Selamat Designs Cockatoo Chairs.
### When it came to choosing the artwork, how did you land on these two from the Far Far Away series? Also, at what point in the project, did you focus on the artwork?
> I am an avid animal lover. Those llamas on the salt flats spoke to me with the juxtaposition of the animals and the whimsical confetti on the harsh yet stunning natural landscape.
>
> The art was an early selection that I chose soon after determining my palette. While I am thrilled this works together I do not think your art needs to be super “matchy" with your interiors. It often makes the interiors more interesting to create the contrast or vibration in the space.
### I couldn't agree more to both sentiments! Once you hung the Gray Malin prints, did the space change?
> These whimsical pieces lighten and brightened the space providing a central focal point for the main wall in a very asymmetrical room.
### Happy to hear it! Okay, last question. I recently released new images into the Far Far Away series, if you had to choose, which one is your favorite?
> While I am such a llama fanatic, I think out of this series I would choose the Color BalloonsTriptych. It has a magical quality that draws you into the piece. It mesmerizes me and the color certainly could liven up and neutral space.
Oh, amazing! I love that you love that one! It was quite a feet creating that images, which I explained all about in last week's Behind the Scenes post. I'm very happy with how it turned out, so I'm happy to hear you approve. Perhaps, you have a new project that it'd be perfect for? I'll let you keep me posted... ;) In the meantime, thank you so much for sharing your imaculate home with us, Holly! To learn more about Holly as well as see her One Room Challenge, be sure to check out The English Room. Prepare to be inspired to try out her eclectic with a twist decorating style!
Cheers,
xx
GM
Photos by Erin Comerford