Happy February , cuties! It’s fitting that Valentine’s Day is right around the corner because the second installment of our Trade Member Spotlight is pretty much a straight-up love letter to the gorgeous interior design work of our Trade member Louisa G Roeder. I can’t wait to share her work and her industry insights with you.
Originally from the UK, Louisa G Roeder is a Brooklyn-based interior designer with a background in (and passion for) art history. She’s a pro at fusing the coziness of an English country cottage with sleek, modern, and eclectic design elements that surprise, delight, and inspire. She’s also a loving mama who enjoys quality family time and exploring the cultural and culinary joys of NYC living when she’s not designing brilliantly bold and layered spaces for her clients.
The lovely Louisa G Roeder
Hi Louisa! Welcome to The Kuotes! For our readers who might not be familiar with your interior design business, tell our readers about some of your specialities and core offerings.
My specialty is creating the feeling of home and hearth for my clients. I do that primarily by re-creating cozy elements of the English town and country homes I spent my early years living in. When trying to create a warm environment, I prefer to layer eclectic fabrics, textures, patterns and furnishings.
However, I also want to balance cozy with creative, which is why I love to help my clients cover their walls in art. I was an art history major in university, so I enjoy finding great art as we look to turn the home into the story of my clients.
“When it comes to art, I mix high and low and modern and vintage to bring a unique character to a home.”
You’ve been working with the Kathy Kuo Home Trade Program since 2016! Tell us a bit about your experience and what stands out!
I love the huge selection at Kathy Kuo Home, which allows me to create the uniquely cozy and eclectic layers that I love and my clients want.
“KKH does an incredible job of curating pieces from different vendors, taking the headache out of dealing with multiple design reps and streamlining shipping arrangements.”
Kathy Kuo Home has provided outstanding customer service, so if a client finds a piece on a different website, I always check to see if it’s available on KKH because I know the ordering process will be smoother, especially if any issues arise.
Photos courtesy of Louisa G Roeder
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Do you take on projects nationwide or specialize in a specific location?
I am based out of Brooklyn but I work all over the United States. COVID really accelerated the reach of my business, enabling me to work not just on East and West Coast projects, but projects like ski homes in Park City and weekend homes in Litchfield County as well.
Many of my clients realized design work could actually be done remotely, so I started projects in places that I couldn’t necessarily visit. In fact, there are finished projects I have not even seen in person!
Do you have a favorite interior design style to work with on projects?
To me, artwork provides the most character to a home, so I love when clients really commit to covering the walls with fun art. The absence of artwork leaves a space feeling empty and cold. Walls are a great place to tell stories and create emotion.
Tell us about a notable project from the past few years.
During peak COVID–while in my third trimester of pregnancy–I did a massive gut renovation in Santa Barbara, California. Due to pregnancy and quarantine, travel was out of the question, which meant I could not visit the project.
“Not only was the Santa Barbara project notable as one of the more stressful times in my life, but it was remarkable to witness the home’s metamorphosis through photos and videos, transformed with finishes and furnishings that I selected entirely online.”
The exterior was originally 70s Spanish style ranch, but with a new coat of color, we made the home more Mediterranean in look and feel. We also added a garage and a two bedroom guest house all while modernizing the kitchens and bathrooms with new cabinetry and tile.
Photos courtesy of Louisa G Roeder
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What have been some of the biggest joys and challenges you’ve faced in your career in the interior design industry?
There is nothing more gratifying than happy clients. I love the idea of creating homes that my clients will appreciate for years to come. Of course, getting there isn’t always a cake walk!
Production delays have been a major upset across the industry. During renovations, delays on items like tiles, for example, have really complicated timelines and it can be difficult to keep clients calm amidst rising costs and building delays. Because any delay has a domino effect, I order things aggressively early, even if that means the added expense of paying for storage.
“The most rewarding jobs are when clients want to work with me on another project. It’s a testament to what a great working relationship we have, and it’s easy to jump into the project since I know exactly what their likes and dislikes are. We can also make bolder decisions since they trust my judgment more the second time.”
All in all, proactive communication is the most important thing to building trust and delivering on time.
Are there any design trends you see on the horizon for 2023? Any trends on their way out?
I think custom shower curtains will be more prevalent in 2023. Fabric shower curtains, in particular, are much better than glass doors in lending character, privacy, and quiet to a bathroom. A trend on the way out is white bubble furnishings in boucle fabrics. They have been way overdone and people will tire of them.
Photos courtesy of Louisa G Roeder
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Where do you draw the most inspiration from as a designer?
Like many designers, I used to look to Instagram for inspiration. But it is frustrating how quickly designs are copied and how many interiors are looking the same. Now it’s a matter of trying to find inspiration in less obvious places like older books and magazines.
I also take inspiration from visiting timeless spaces and places. Certain homes or museums or restaurants have a unique flare, and there’s always at least one or two flourishes that are beautiful to see working together.
“For me, good design is the unlikely pairing of items that magically fit.”
How would you describe the style of your own home? What’s your favorite piece of furniture or decor that you own?
My own home is eclectically layered and extremely cozy. I particularly love to layer rugs and use amber lighting to create an almost candlelit coziness. I also love rich textures and featuring art I have collected from my artist friends.
“My favorite piece I own is a mirrored dresser that belonged to my paternal grandmother. It’s totally reinvented in the context of my home. I love to juxtapose the old with the new.”
Louisa G Roeder’s favorite piece of furniture–an antique mirrored dresser.
What advice would you give someone who wants to work with an interior designer on their home, but they feel hesitant? For someone who’s never worked with a designer, what’s the major upside?
I think it’s important to know there are different designers for different budgets. Interior design doesn’t necessarily mean you need an outlandish budget. If anything, the designer can help you avoid expensive mistakes (and budgets).
You also don’t need a designer who exclusively works in the style you want. A lot of designers can work in different styles and help you home in on your own style, even if you’re not exactly sure what your style is at the outset. The designer will ensure that your home feels like you, but the design is cohesive.
Speaking to fellow design pros: What advice do you have about working a challenging client or overcoming unforeseen obstacles on a design project?
If a client is being combative, that doesn’t mean you should be too. Renovations are extremely frustrating, and clients understandably get upset when something goes wrong. I have found clients appreciate when a designer admits fault.
But, most importantly, admit fault and propose solutions. There will inevitably be mistakes and, even if they’re not the designer’s fault, it is still our job to problem solve. Taking a small pay–or ego–hit is a small price to pay for a happy client.
Photos courtesy of Louisa G Roeder
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Outside of work, where do you find joy and peace?
Spending time with my daughter, a rambunctious 2-year-old, is all joy but no peace. For the latter, I enjoy trying bakeries in the far reaches of New York. It’s a great excuse to explore different neighborhoods and sample the desserts of different cultures: Mochi at the Japanese market in Industry City, Cannolis on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx and Tres Leches in Sunset Park. I also love Win Son bakery in East Williamsburg, which pairs unusual flavors in a way that I absolutely adore.
Are there any exciting updates with your business in 2023 that you’d like our readers to know about?
Due to COVID and the chaos that came with having my first child, I have not photographed a single new project in over three years. Now that my daughter is in school, I look forward to carving out the time to finally photograph some work and posting on my website.
“I have also gotten a lot more invested in kid friendly design and nurseries. Kids’ rooms are so much fun to decorate–I love adding a touch of whimsy.”
Photo courtesy of Louisa G Roeder
The Kathy Kuo Home Trade Program
Feeling inspired by Louisa G Roeder? If you’re an interior designer or architect you can apply to our Trade Program to enjoy a wide array of professional benefits, as well as access to a thriving community of interior design pros. You can learn all about it HERE, but in brief, KKH Trade members receive: Competitive Trade Pricing, Low Storage Fees, Dedicated Trade Specialist to Coordinate Orders from Start to Finish, and More.
