IDS MEMBER SPOTLIGHT - LACY KELLER

Lacy embarked on her design journey after completing her studies in Interior Design at the Art Institute of Portland in 2006. Driven by a passion for understanding how people inhabit and engage with their living spaces, Lacy was resolute in establishing Interior Design as her vocation. With a commitment to purposeful design decisions, her objective is to guide others in turning their houses into harmonious and deliberate homes. Following a decade of experience in design showrooms and buoyed by her husband's support, Lacy courageously ventured into entrepreneurship, founding her own design firm—Lacy Keller Interiors. 

Q: WHAT WAS YOUR JOURNEY IN DESIGN LIKE, AND HOW DID YOU REACH YOUR CURRENT POSITION?

A: When I was in grade school, I used to draw house plans on graph paper for fun. In high school, I wanted to be an architect, but I also loved the idea of anthropology. But none of those things worked out. Randomly, I ended up in beauty school, with a manicuring license. I hated it at first, but it turned out to be one of the biggest blessings in my life. Doing nails afforded me a youthful autonomy and a healthy desire for adventure that led to seeing the world on my own - it was travel that re-sparked my interest in culture, architecture and the way people live.

I put myself back through design school and paid my bills doing manis & pedis for about 10 years while I worked my way up in the design world. Those nail clients that I had - they got me here. Now, I am almost 8 years into working for myself, and I'm having lunch with one of my old nail clients tomorrow.

Q: WHO WAS THE FIRST INTERIOR DESIGNER TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION ON YOU?

A: This is going to sound pretty cheesy - but kind of my parents. My mom would want some piece of furniture or elaborate bookshelf built. She would draw it for my dad, and he would build it in our garage. My relationships with my contractors often remind me of that dynamic. 
The practicing interior designer that made one of the most impactful impressions on me, is my friend Hannah Hacker with Adapt Design. We met for happy hour one day when I was on the verge of making the decision to work for myself. What I can remember of our conversation was something along the lines of: It'll be slow at first, and you might wonder if you're doing the right thing but give it a few months and you'll never look back. It was just the nudge I needed, and she was right - I've never looked back.

Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT INFLUENCE YOU, ASIDE FROM FURNITURE AND DECOR?

A: Travel has always been a big inspiration for me - I love seeing what's popular in other parts of the country or the world. I can't think of a place that I've been that hasn't opened my eyes to new materials or given me a fresh take on solving a design problem. It's also refreshing to step away from my own projects, and just absorb what's around me - sometimes the solutions I've been looking for bubble up in those moments.

Q: WHAT ARE YOUR GO-TO BASICS?

A: I'm kind of obsessed with putting tip-out trays at the fronts of sinks, in kitchens and bathrooms. They are great places to store the small unsightly things you're always looking for, like chapstick, makeup or toothpaste in the bathroom, or sponges & scrub brushes in the kitchen. I'll also put a large cabinet or pull )or small appliance pull) on the tip-out to hang a hand towel from. Also wallpaper. Wallpaper has always been my go-to, but more specifically, grasscloth - it can go just about anywhere, and in literally any style of home.

Q: ARE YOU SEEING ANY PARTICULAR STYLE REQUESTS TRENDING AMONGST YOUR CLIENTS?

A: I think we've finally started to break away from the farmhouse modern look - where everything looks relatively the same. Lately, my clients have been more interested in richer colors, patterns & materials and contrasting but complimentary furniture styles in their homes.

Q: WHAT'S BEEN YOUR CAREER HIGHLIGHT TO DATE?

A: Honestly - it's been that I've actually made it this far and have had projects that I'm proud of, and for the most part, had awesome clients. I'm surprised at how much I've grown as a designer in the last 8 years - how much my confidence has improved. It took time and lots of due diligence, but I think I can finally say that I've earned the trust of my clients.

Q: WHAT'S THE MOST TREASURED ITEM IN YOUR OWN HOME?

A: Aside from my darling cat BirdiePancakes and my dog (Susan) Luchi - my most treasured item are 2 old shipping trunks that belonged to my grandparents. One of them came over on the Oregon Trail, and my grandfather used the other while he was in the Marines. I used them both for storage, and one of them as a coffee table.