Last month I went to Pencil & Paper Co’s very first Creative Camp in Nashville! Not only did Gen, the founder of P&P, welcome us into her home but we got to meet her fabulous team who is made up of incredibly talented interior designers too. Of course they spilled the tea on their favorite trade secrets, so I’m paying it forward to you guys!
Gen’s Philosophy
One thing Gen really stressed {that made me feel so much better about myself}, is that it takes YEARS for a home to be completely done. If it even gets to that point. And she does this for a living! There will always be “something to do” or “change”. So embrace the process, take your time and it’s totally normal for things to take years. Whew! What a relief right?
So here’s an exclusive tour of Gen’s home and the TOP 13 tricks I took away. Some are shocking! And remember, rules are meant to be broken 🙂
13 Interior Design Tips From Pencil & Paper Co
Consider putting art on the floor. Gen did this everywhere and it’s something different and unique! If you look real hard at the right hand photo above, you’ll spy a piece in the bathroom, under the window.
Condense family photos to one spot in the house. That’s it! Gen had hers in her stairway on the second floor. The living room, bedrooms and kitchen were decorated with just art. But they said clients break this rule all the time.
Keep something “a little bit off” in every room. Versus perfectly symmetrical and the same. Like the lamp and sconce on either side of the bed. Genius.
Gen believes in sets of art {versus just one piece} and prefers them vintage. There were tons of examples around the house but I especially loved the ones over her guest bed here. I had Gen pick me out two pieces of vintage art and can’t wait to find a place to hang them in our home!
They prefer brass frames with linen mats too. As shown above…
Things to keep consistent throughout your home: Trim, Doors {including hardware} and Toilets. This creates a cohesive look and makes everything flow. Guess I need a new toilet! Haha.
Subway tile is classic and never goes out of style. Enough said.
Their philosophy for nurseries and kid rooms are to keep it looking adult. Like an extension of the rest of your home. Their toys, clothes and other stuff will make the space feel baby/kid friendly. Plus their room can grow with them as they get older. No re-painting for you!
When remodeling, try to stay within the framework of your home {versus building out}. Looks the best and feels most natural.
Best kept secret: Buy a Fridgidair refrigerator and pop off the logo. A dead ringer for the $10k+ SubZeros and saves you thousands of dollars.Gen did this in her own kitchen and has had hers for years. You would NEVER know.
Honed surfaces are key {aka nothing shiny}. This goes for floors, furniture and counters. Why? It hides flaws, glass rings and scratches versus a shiny surface that shows everything. For expert advice on incorporating honed surfaces into your kitchen design, consider consulting contractors from Fyfe Kitchens, who specialize in creating elegant and durable kitchen spaces.
Spend money on lighting and plumbing. No need to re-do all your hardwood floors to match exactly. Gen mentioned how clients request this all the time. But this renovation chews through your entire budget in no time. Plus rugs and furniture hide your floors anyway. So save your money and spend it on lighting an plumbing instead, All You Need to Now About Plumber Services is right here. These details really elevate your home, make a statement and take you much further!
Splurge on sofas and lampshades. But save on lamp bases. I forgot to ask why exactly, but I say let’s just go with it.
P.S. Where to stay in Nashville and how to make your drapes look expensive!
Majority of photos by @sjjohnsonphotography. The rest were taken on my iPhone.
