Art Talk with Shannon Eddings

Interior Designer Shannon Eddings was "born into the business" as they say with an interior designer mother and a grandmother with impeccable taste. She followed the pull towards a vocation in fine art after graduating from UT Austin, but quickly circled back to what was always there - designing and decorating interiors. Shannon describes her style as "old world meets contemporary." We have followed her career for years, and were excited to take a peek into one of her recent projects where her passion for sourcing antiques and vintage is on full display. Keep reading for the full interview.

Did you always know that you wanted to be a designer? If you weren’t doing what you do now, what would you be doing?

SE:  I didn't always know that I wanted to be a designer, no. I studied fine arts in college and specialized in printmaking. My dream was to design concert posters! I tried my hand at custom wedding invitation design and graphic design, but naturally fell into interior design when someone asked me to help them with their house. My mom was a designer so I had some help there but am self taught for the most part. I would love to spend days in an art studio listening to audio books and music and just painting… that would be my alternate career.

You’re also an artist. How do you think that affects the way you see your work as an interior designer?

SE: Yes, very much so! I think studying and making art helps me to keep an open mind when it comes to color use and ‘rules’ in general. I like breaking classic design rules and embrace an artistic approach to my design work.  I love pairing colors that are unexpected and mixing patterns in creative ways.  So many great works of art throughout history have unique color palettes and that definitely translates into my approach and work.

How do you approach creating unique spaces for clients? How do you take your point of view and tell their story in their home?

SE:  My passion is getting ‘into’ it with clients and finding the common thread between us so that we can make the magic happen. I want my clients to be excited and inspired throughout the design process and so we are always revisiting our ‘original’ vision of sorts. I try to have a few words that we conjure up when needed to remind us of what we want the space to look and feel like. We also have a little design quiz we like to share that includes unexpected questions like ‘who is your favorite artist’ and ‘what is your dream vacation’ etc…these help me understand my clients better and get a feel for how they like to live. We work with a lot of couples and so I generally ask how they met and what they do together or as a family at home. With individuals we can really get into it because it’s one voice/mind we are trying to highlight instead of many so that’s typically a bit easier to approach. I enjoy the process of getting to know people in general and pulling their passions out and then trying to reflect that in their home. To make these spaces unique my team and I spend a lot of time sourcing vintage and antique items. They bring that touch of quirkiness and uniqueness to the projects because they are often one of a kind items that you don’t see around a lot.

What’s your favorite space in your own home? (Could be a whole room or a small vignette.)  

SE:  I have a little sitting room off my kitchen that I love. My beloved grandmother, Nonie’s camelback sofa sits in there, recovered in a pretty ochre and brings me joy every day. It’s also where my bookcase and record player are and those two hobbies are up there in my favorites. I don’t typically do accent walls of wallpaper but my home is a 1950’s mid century and has some angles so I embraced one big angled wall and covered it in a classic Cole & Sons cloud wallpaper. I like the sky and take one million pictures of clouds and sunsets so it seemed natural to put some clouds inside the house.

Which objects in your home have deep significance to you? 

SE:  I try to not be too attached but I’m a deeply sentimental person and loyal to a fault so I have quite a few items that are significant to me. I mentioned the camelback sofa already but in addition to that there is a painting of my son that someone did when he was a baby of his curls that I adore. My collection of books, including some that were my Dads and grandads, make me smile and conjure up all sorts of memories. Books are the best gifts in my opinion and I have many that were gifted to me that are significant.  Then maybe my collection of nature objects which is funny, I know. I love picking up beautiful things on trips like seashells, butterflies, rocks etc. and keep a curated collection displayed at all times.

What is a skill that you are currently working on?

SE:  I’m working on under-promising and over delivering. Also saying no and not trying to be a people pleaser. Thank God we are all works in progress.

Which destination is at the top of your bucket list right now?

SE: Paris! Never been and cannot wait to go someday. I’m also fascinated by Ireland and hope to travel there at some point in my lifetime. Domestically I want to visit Maine and the Hudson River Valley.

What souvenirs do you bring home from your trips?

SE:  I mentioned this above but usually it’s free items found in nature on a walk or a hike. I have feathers, shells, rocks etc and for the most part remember where I got them. I also love to hit antique shops wherever I am and bring something back that will remind me of that place like a small bowl or plate or quirky decorative item. I have a little brass box that reminds me of a trip to New York… stuff like that. Art is also a good one to buy when traveling - even little pieces!

What are you inspired by right now?

SE:  I’m inspired every day by this beautiful world we live in! Colors that just exist in nature, especially as the seasons change, give me constant inspiration. I guess though I also love French and English countryside homes, history in general, Wes Anderson film sets and any period book or tv show that helps me visualize cool interiors.  My kids also inspire me with their resilience and laughter and joy… not interiors related but that's okay, I think.