Coley Home Spotlight: Rachel Halvorson

Meet Rachel! Based in Nashville, TN, Rachel and her design firm dream up beautifully unique spaces to match each client’s needs. We love seeing her fresh take on every space. Read on to learn all about Rachel!

Interior photos by Paige Rumore

Tell us about yourself!

I am an interior designer, mother of 2 (well, 3 if you count golden retrievers), living in Nashville, Tennessee.  My firm specializes in whole house renovations and new construction homes- from the studs to pillows! Although we mainly work in and around Nashville our projects span from the coast of California to the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. 

How would you describe your design style?

 Sophisticated, timeless, and liveable. I strive for an effortless mix of different design styles. 

You recently used the Hudson Bed in your daughter’s room! Walk us through the design process.

When my daughter Tillie turned 5 we decided it was time to update her nursery bedroom into a big girl room that expressed her style. We have always said that Tillie is “sunshine”- so I guess that is what drew me towards this soft yellow print.

Of course she wanted a pink room so we agreed on a Portola paint “Prayer” in their limewash finish to give it an old world feel.  I wanted to keep the rest of the room very eclectic and mixed- not too perfect. Because that is very Tillie (you should see what she wears on the weekends!) 

SOURCES:

The headboard fabric is by Namay Samay. The bedding and pillows is a mix: quilt and lampshades by Projekti Tyyny and pillows from Anthropologie, Serena and Lily and custom.  The painting above the bed is by my friend Lacey Russell. The ceiling light fixture is by Stray Dog Designs. The dressing table is my grandmother’s that I restored and recovered in a Jean Monroe fabric.


Any tips for designing a child’s room that they can easily grow into?

Let the bedding have some personality. That is the one thing that can easily be changed throughout the years and I love to mix and match pillows and quilts to give it a more unique look. I mixed custom pillows with ones from Serena and Lily and Anthropologie. Kids are naturally going to pick the boldest, most obnoxious paint color on a paint deck so instead of painting the room a bold color add pattern and color to artwork, lamp shades, and other accessories.

When designing a home, what elements do you suggest splurging on? Saving on?

I suggest  splurging on pillows and lighting. They are the jewelry of the house! I also recommend spending more in the rooms that you entertain in: kitchen, dining, living spaces and save/use more cost effective selections in kids rooms and secondary spaces.

Go-to places to find design inspiration?

PARIS! I think historic parts of Europe are the best place for inspiration. Or visiting historic cities in the US: Santa Fe, Charleston, New Orleans, etc.  and staying in a nice, local hotel doesn’t hurt.  Recently I stayed at the Dewberry in Charleston and soaked in every single detail! I’m also still a big fan of magazines and will always have sticky notes sticking out of my coffee table books.

Paris
Santa Fe
NewOrleans
Charleston

Favorite coffee table book at the moment?

"At Home in the Cotswolds"

Favorite paint color at the moment?

Farrow and Ball “Green Smoke”


Dream travel destination?

Reschio Estate/Hotel in Italy - I stalk them on Instagram.

Favorite book or TV show at the moment?

White Lotus. I also just re-watched ET with my kids and am now inspired to watch all of the 80s classics.