Ep. 369: Embracing the "Lived-In" Look with Gail Davis

We are thrilled to welcome back designer Gail Davis to the show this week: based out of New Jersey, Gail been bringing soulful, elegant interiors to her clients for 15 years. As we catch up, Gail shares details about her latest personal renovation project—a stunning kitchen makeover.

Gail also shares some of her own great tips on welcoming southern sensibility with the traditional, embracing the "lived in" look of your home, and how she entertains in style. She highlights the importance of texture in design, her love for cinematic interiors, and how to create spaces that feel like a warm hug. Gail also offers insights on balancing aesthetics with practicality, and shares some of her favorite cleaning hacks for maintaining a beautiful home.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode:

• The “why” behind her renovation.
• How she made her kitchen both stunning and practical, along with the see through refrigerator that had to go.
• Realizing that what works for you may not work for everyone.
• What Gail loves most about her banquette seating area.
• Gail reminds us that a room should feel like a hug, and textures can help us get there.
• The logistics of her leather wrapped cabinet.
• How Gail’s kitchen is also set up to satisfy even the most burger loving chefs in her family.
• Tips on balancing aesthetics with practicality.
• Some of Gail’s expert cleaning tips.

Also Mentioned: 

• Ballard Designs
• Gail Davis
• Gail Davis IG
• Ep 240 with Gail

Decorating Dilemma:

Follow along with pictures of this week's decorating dilemma here.

First, Gail loves the Frank Lloyd Wright reference, and encourages you to think about how to pull more nature in. You can brighten up the colors a bit, play with texture a bit, and break it all up with proper sized rugs. Notice your surroundings and use that for inspiration. Our eyes go to the windows in every room, and the right lighting fixtures with beautiful oversize lamp shades will help add texture. Gail suggests colorful artwork to compliment the outside, and adding wood paneling with a little gray in the nook.

PS. Gail loves the bedspread too! 

Please send in your questions and decorating dilemmas to [email protected] so we can answer them on a future episode!