Photography by Landmark
Kate Regan
Interior designer Kate Regan established the Sitting Room, an Excelsior design studio and home-furnishings boutique, 15 years ago. Since that time, she and her team have earned a stellar reputation among clients, builders, remodelers and architects alike for their timeless yet fresh take. We asked Regan to share some of her design favorites.
Texture
I love mixing textures in a room. An especially nice fabric combination for our ever-changing climate is a lightweight linen paired with an aged velvet. Partner these fabrics with a densely woven wool rug to anchor the furniture in a room. Some of my favorite rugs remind me of the comfort of a heavy cable-knit sweater and provide such great texture and softness underfoot. And you can never go wrong adding in an organic material like rattan or seagrass. I particularly love this modern wing chair from Palecek.
Paint Color
Benjamin Moore Gray Owl is one of those enigmatic colors that works as a neutral in all types of rooms. It feels fresh and crisp but somehow doesn’t feel cold. It can read gray, blue or sea glass depending on the light. I love how accent colors like berry, cobalt and yellow work with this paint color.
Pattern
I love a great print with an inspiring color palette. Many rooms I design start with this “magic fabric,” as I like to call it. This new fabric from Schumacher is a great example; I can’t wait to use this in a project.
Design Era
Sixties Palm Beach style. I love the vibrant color palettes and the organic materials. It had such a happy, casual vibe while still being very cool and sophisticated.
Home Technology
This is a tough one for me as I’m not very high-tech. I bought my twin girls a Google Home last Christmas, and I love being able to use it as my personal DJ.
Photography by Landmark
Inspiration Sources
Instagram and Pinterest are great sources of inspiration and are very effective ways of translating ideas to clients. Like most people, I find inspiration when I travel. I recently spent some time in Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina, and was overwhelmed by the charming architecture as well as those great little parks with magnolia trees and Spanish moss.
Room to Design
Lately I’ve been doing some fun kids’ rooms. Anything goes in a kids’ space (as long as it’s durable), and it’s fun to push the envelope a bit. It’s a great place to mix multiple patterns and textures.
Luxurious Touch
Every room can use a beautifully monogrammed cashmere throw. This adds a subtle touch of luxury without making a room feel too formal or unapproachable.
Design Mantra
Create beautiful livable spaces.
