Page 47 - Waterways_Winter_2018_Neat

Ellis kindly shares here with Waterways readers
how she approaches her work, decorating for
the holidays and other design dilemmas.

A DESIGNER’S KNOW-HOW

Q. What’s your design philosophy?
Decorate for the way you live, live with the
things you love, and your house will always
be a home.

Q. What inspires you when decorating
a room? From where do you draw
inspiration?
My first step is getting to know the clients—
who they are, how they live and what they
desire for their home. The landscape, city,
climate and style of home all factor into the
look I’ll create. I also find inspiration from my
clients themselves. I love when they come
to the table with things that are important
to them, whether it’s a great piece of art
or pretty antiques that are in their family
that they want to incorporate into their
new home. It all helps start a vision!
Outside of that, I find inspiration every-
where: travel, architecture, landscapes, art,
hotels and books. My showroom, JAMES,
is filled with inspiration as well. I feel so
lucky to be able to walk amongst walls of
hanging artisanal textiles every day and
see something new. I’ll catch a glimpse of
a fabric and think, Wow, wouldn’t that look
pretty with peacock blue walls, or Doesn’t
this look great with that fabric!
Q. What are some tips for mixing and
matching patterns for those of us who
have little instinct for it?
Nothing bores me more than a plain white
sofa. It’s not that I don’t like white. Sure, it
looks great in a photograph, but in a room
I want to see something more. Pattern
doesn’t have to always mean lots of color.
It can be tonal as well. I’ll usually start with
one larger-scale print and go from there.
It helps set the color palette. Layering in
fabrics that are softer in color helps too.
Nothing too bold, too sharp or too loud
as you will tire of that over time.
Ellis teamed with David Wilkes (l) and
Chris Sanders (r) for a down-to-the-studs
Q. How can you determine if you’re on renovation of a 1988 home in Northwest
the verge of going overboard with dec- Hills. Through the magic of remodeling
orative pieces? and interior design, the dining room (top),
Is there such thing as too much? Just kidding! master bedroom (above left), mud room
I love layers but that’s not to be confused (above right) and other spaces are more
with clutter. I like homes that feel like they spacious and gracious. The sunroom
have evolved with time. When I decorate > (opposite page) lets homeowners enjoy
the sun without feeling the heat.

Winter 2018 | WATERWAYS 45