Styling Old, New & Uniquely You with Gabrielle Savoie, Senior Editor at Domino

For Domino’s Senior Contributing Editor Gabrielle Savoie, advising her readers on styling the home is only one of her many responsibilities. In her over 10 years of experience as a creative consultant and digital strategist with over 10 years of experience, you most likely have encountered her work in the Washington Post, Dwell Magazine and Martha Stewart Living to name only three. 

With a design style that is anything but ordinary, Gabrielle uses her platform to guide readers and interiors-enthusiasts to style in a way that’s unique to them. For Gabrielle herself, that means mixing new and vintage, high and low end, and patterns and prints. Read on to hear Gabrielle’s advice on taking time to design a space you truly love. 

What home decor trends are you most excited about for Summer?

I'm really into a fresh take on British-meets-French country style these days. Think floral sofas, printed wallpapers, checkered tablecloths, scalloped details, fringed banquettes, muddy jewel-toned paint colors, all mixed with a collection of vintage and antique pieces that look like they could have been collected by a family for generations: Noguchi lanterns, Alpine-style side tables, old Empire period dressers, terra cotta urns... I just love seeing old things mixed together in a new way. A set of hunter-green or cherry-red Vico Magistretti dining chairs is at the top of my wishlist. 

Gabrielle's Trend Inspiration:

Beata Heuman, Skye McAlpine

Curated Spaces, Domino, Hotel Vincent

Madeline O'Malley, Maddalena Minerva

How are you planning to refresh your home for Summer?

Even though we've been in our Gramercy apartment for two years, I'm still not done decorating. At the top of my to-do list are new rugs for the living room and bedroom (our puppy is almost potty trained, so it's time!), and a custom sectional to replace our old sofa. I also want to swap out our desk with a larger one with more storage since we spend much more time working from home now. I've got my eye on a stunning one from Soho Home.

How do you style Courant in your spaces? 

I have the Catch:3 in Bone on my nightstand and it has changed my bedtime routine! No more damaged iPhone charger wires that always crack and fray at the tip. I just prop down my phone or AirPods on the side and my daily jewelry or hair ties in the tray. It looks much cleaner and makes it virtually impossible to forget to plug in your phone at night. 

When it comes to designing or decorating a space, what do your readers look for the most help or advice on? 

People are often really nervous about whether things like wood tones or fabrics will "match", but I think that's the wrong thing to worry about. I truly believe that if you only buy things you really love (and don't rush purchases thinking you'll probably replace them in a few years) you'll end up with a mix of items that are uniquely you. Paint colors are another big one that readers are nervous to get "right".

Are there any Instagram accounts that you follow for home inspiration?

Too many to name, but Beata Heuman is always posting fresh, innovative designs. I've been snooping at Fabrizio Casiraghi's newest project, Hotel La Ponche opening in Saint Tropez. Skye McAlpine, who splits her time between Venice and London and always shares the most incredible lunch spreads (her butter yellow kitchen is also one for the ages). Painter Mary Nelson Sinclair, who is living everyone's upstate dream in Dutchess County. Lastly, Frances Palmer for florals and David Shrigley for quirky never-fails-to-make-you-smile art.

What's one tip you'd give to someone who's refreshing their home for Summer? 

This is a toughie because everyone has different needs, but my number one advice is always to take your time finding the right pieces. I also believe that every room should have a vintage, antique, or one-off item, so look beyond the obvious retailers and current trends. If you're tackling a paint project, try painting just your baseboards or window trims instead of the whole wall. Lastly (and this is a niche one), I recently got tipped off to some great $20 balloon window shades from Target that look much more expensive than they are, so never turn your nose at a good deal!