Washington DC-based designer, Shannon Claire Smith created a luxe, neutral pillow bundle with Flour, Walnut and Emma Sand. She took three of our best-selling neutrals and added some extra flare with colorful piping. Follow along to get to know Shannon and learn more about her design decisions!
First off, tell us a little bit about yourself!
I'm Shannon, an interior decorator and virtual designer based in the Washington, DC area. I've lived here for 8 years, and love the character and history of the city! I have a husband, a cat, and a fluffy pomeranian, and when I'm not working, I spend my time traveling as much as possible. I find incredible inspiration from travel, and I quite literally can't get enough of it! When I am home, I like to spend my time antiquing and vintage shopping, as well as working on projects in my own home.
How would you describe your style?
I would say that my style is a little bit traditional, a little bit British, and a little bit edgy eclectic- I'm drawn to classic lines, shapes, and architecture, and I'm always on the hunt for that perfect vintage piece. I love layering in cozy fabrics and patterns- this is where my British sensibilities sneak into my designs. I'm a total Anglophile, and find so much inspiration in travel and history.
What does your home say about you?
I think for a lot of people the meaning of home has taken on even more importance over the past few years, and the same is definitely true for me. I'm an incredibly introverted homebody, so I really value my home as a comfortable and safe space- I love inviting people over and entertaining, and my goal is to have the coziest and most comfortable home on the block.
Walk us through how you styled the pillows! How did you choose which patterns and piping to use?
My sofa is quite modern, despite the other pieces in the room, so I wanted to make it feel a little more custom and collected. The best way I could think to do this was to add large neutral euro shams (which are traditionally used in bedding!) to the back of the sofa to give it that "sink into" look and feeling.
I love that you can customize the piping with Pepper Home pillows, because that adds a lovely little touch of interest to something that's neutral- which is exactly what I did. I layered in a luxe velvet pillow and a small lumbar with a touch of pattern to the mix to create a layered and inviting feel. My dog loves it as much as I do!
How do you approach styling with different sizes? What's your rule of thumb for how many pillows go on a sofa?
The limit does not exist! I don't think a sofa can have too many pillows, What you want to do is mix and vary the sizes so it doesn't feel overwhelming, and to make sure there is something for everyone. I love to tuck a lumbar behind my back and use a 20x20 square when I'm tucked up with a magazine or book, and I try to place the biggest pillows at the very back to create a solid foundation for layering.
Do you stick to any design rules when mixing and matching patterns and colors?
I don't think there are any hard and fast rules that you need to stick to when selecting patterns and colors, but I love to incorporate a mix of neutrals, solids, and a touch of pattern. I love that with the customized piping you can create a unifying thread with your pillow bundle- you can pick any base pattern and color and tie them all together with the same color piping!
One of our mottos is "a little goes a long way". What are a few ways to elevate your living room that don't require a full renovation or splurging on new furniture?
Fabrics will make a huge impact on how your room looks and feels! Mixing these (velvets, linens, etc.) is a great way to add depth and to make your space feel more luxe. This applies to curtains, as well! If you aren't undergoing a complete renovation ro redesign, I love to upgrade the small things that you touch, like pillows or throw blankets. It's a great way to customize your space to feel exactly like you, and to make your space feel cozy and layered for everyone else!
Favorite design book?
An Affair with a House by Bunny Williams
Color crush of the moment?
Chartreuse!
Wallpaper or paint?
Wallpaper, always
Favorite project you've worked on?
We're currently working on a historic townhome in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of DC- it's oozing with charm and character, and I love how it's come together!