Shop Talk! with angela adams and Chelsea Eyre
Hands down, the most rewarding thing for us is to see how people design the spaces they live and work in and how our rugs fit into their lives. Making a space your personal sanctuary requires asking yourself important questions and digging deep into how you truly want to live and what you want to feel like in your personal space. Chelsea Eyre has been a very inspiring customer. She has created a space that is comforting, natural and celebrates the gorgeous landscape that surrounds her home in coastal Maine.
AA: Hello Chelsea – Thank you very much for making our designs part of your world. We love your aesthetic and would love to know…What makes you SHINE?
CE: My house if right on the water, and in the late afternoon, there is a ‘Golden Hour’. The sun streams through the windows, the trees are lit with a golden glow, and the water sparkles with light. It’s the first sign of Spring. It shines. It inspires. And it makes me shine too.
For the rest of the time, it’s all about spending time with great friends—doing just about anything—looking at art in a gallery, cooking a fantastic meal and eating together, taking a walk with dogs, sitting together on the porch drawing. With a beautiful community of friends, it’s easy to shine on even the gloomiest of days!
AA: How would you describe your personal style?
CE: Contemporary and simple with a dash of organic and cozy. I love the simplicity and clean lines of Mid-Century Modern, but it doesn’t always lend itself to the warm vibe I’m looking for.
I don’t like cluttter, so everything (except art) has to have a function/purpose.
I want everyone who comes to my house to be able to curl up and be comfortable, with places for conversation and relaxing. And because I love to read, lots of reading nooks.
For this house in Maine, I started with an idea of designing my space to reflect its natural surroundings. Every window has a marvelous view, so that needed to be incorporated into the plan. I also wanted to start collecting pieces from Maine-based artists, craftspeople and makers to really feel more connected to my new home and contribute to the local economy. For Christmas this year, my friends all received beautiful rolling pins and bowls turned by a local craftsman on Westport Island. The pieces were made from fallen trees from the Island, and each has a story to tell.
AA: What informed your area rug selections?
CE: I have always loved the organic patterns and designs of angela adams rugs. They really resonate with me, evoking a real sense of place. Sometimes the rug is the anchor for the room, and sometimes I find a rug to fit the vibe I want the room to have.
When I was designing the space in the barn, I had the green/brown tone Pool rug in mind. The windows look out over the river, and the landscape is full of green, brown, blue and gray. I bought the rug even before the renovation was started, and I designed the rest of the space around it. When the work was done, and I finally unrolled the rug, it felt like a perfect fit. That space feels so special!
In my living room, where every window looks out to he water, I didn’t need the rug to be the centerpiece of the room. I needed it to help define a cozy living room space, since the open concept includes space for dining as well. The Bongo in the lemon colorway is perfect for the space. The colors are gorgeous, lightening up the room, and the pattern is super fun.
AA: Were there any happy, unexpected surprises after your interiors were all furnished and completed?
CE: It’s not a surprise that everyone comments on my rugs. But it did surprise me that 1) the rugs are incredibly durable and easy to clean—even in mud season with a dog. 2) Everyone wants to take their shoes off and walk on them because they are so cushy and comfortable on your feet. 3) LOTS of people tell me that I should hang these rugs on the wall because they are works of art. I couldn’t agree more. But, see 2). More cozy for feet than the wall. lol
AA: What advice would you like to share to anyone embarking on a new interior design project?
CE: First decide how you will use the room. The purpose of the room really helps you figure out what should go in there, and how to design it.
Scale is important too. How much space do you have to work with? How high are the ceilings? How much wall and floor space do you have? Do you need to separate the space into functional areas, like living/dining room? How does one room flow into the next?
What’s the anchor or focal point for the room? Is there something you want to highlight? Like a piece of art or a great piece of furniture or beautiful rug?
But probably most important for me is what I want the room to ‘feel’ like. What do I want the vibe to be? My small office/study needs to be neat and tidy, but comfortable. My living room needs to be super cozy and maximize the beautiful views of nature from every seat. Every single piece that you put in that room should contribute to the vibe. If it doesn’t, it probably doesn’t belong there. Don’t be afraid to edit!
AA: Shine on, Chelsea! Thank you very much.