Alyssa Rosenheck's The New Southern Designer Spotlight with Hannah Crowell, Crowell + Co Interiors of Nashville, TN

The New Southern | Designer Spotlight: Hannah Crowell, Founder of Crowell + Co Interiors

October 02, 2017 in The New Southern, TNS Spotlight

Granddaughter to a musical legend and founder of Crowell + Co Interiors, Hannah Crowell reflects the epitome of a coast to coast design mix. Her aesthetic blends west coast ease seamlessly with traditional classics and modern pieces, creating spaces both fresh and livable which speaks to the heart of The New Southern.

Although hailing from a family rooted in Southern lineage, the Nashville native packed her bags for California to study at the San Diego Design Institute, where she became director and curator for the Joseph Bellows Gallery. Hannah spent 12 years in the Golden State, founding and co-owning Belak & Crowell Interiors before opening up her own design firm, Crowell + Co. Interiors, and returning to Nashville. No stranger to published fame, Hannah has been featured in Domino, Lonny, Better Homes & Gardens, and HGTV magazines.

As a single mother to two daughters, Hannah’s personal life reflects the rooms she designs. Her desire to raise her daughters as independent, adventurous, and ever curious—with a similar zest for travel as herself—is showcased in her work as an interior designer. Creating spaces that can be both personal and intentional, with a “I can actually see myself living here” approach, is the bread and butter of her design mantra. Steering clear of the once admired “staged and untouchable” design of the past, Hannah is redefining Southern style in a way that connects with a younger generation. She’s an ambassador for what Rosenheck's The New Southern embodies as she empowers women to embrace an evolving work in progress. Just a scroll through her Instagram feed (@hannahcrowell) will give you a glimpse into who she is, from behind-the-scenes project snippets to real life family moments.

She cherishes an imperfect, controlled chaos, refining her spaces so that they reflect the personalities of her clients. One of her most beloved possessions is an old piano left behind in a home she bought. “A home should speak to who you are, how you live, and what’s important to you,” she says.

To uncover how the clean lines of a modern style can intersect with a one-hundred-year-old antique, we chatted with this talented Nashvillian for her take on Southern style now.

Alyssa Rosenheck: Tell me about yourself.

Hannah Crowell: My company, Crowell + Co. Interiors operates out of Nashville, TN, my hometown. The firm is based on the foundation that form and function need not supersede one another. We believe life, as messy and unpredictable as it may be, can be both stylish and accessible. I am a mother to two little girls, so it can be crazy and hectic but also really beautiful. I approach design from a place of whimsy and fun much more than it being scripted or formulaic. My own home is a reflection of that and honestly I don’t know that I really know any other way to do it.

AR: How are you modernizing Southern style when you design?

HC: I’ve never been one to stay within the lines, which I think carries over into my design aesthetic. I am a Southerner who lived almost half of her life in California, and it has informed my style a great deal. I grew up in a family whose lineage is deeply rooted in Southern culture, but I was raised in a more free-spirited, liberal fashion that was anything but traditional. The progressive Southern mentality set me on a more modern design trajectory.

Photo: © Shannon Fontaine — Photo: © Shannon Fontaine

Photo: © Reagan Taylor — Photo: © Reagan Taylor

AR: What innovative trends are you seeing with Southern design across the country?

HC: We are seeing less reclaimed barn wood—Praise the Lord! And I see more of a marriage between clean lines and modern pieces mixed with old family heirlooms. For example, say Grandma’s sofa covered in Scandinavian fabric.

AR: What are your favorite Nashville design boutiques?

HC: Wilder in Germantown is fantastic. I always find a treasure at Savant Vintage. And it’s an odd spot, but I love All Seasons. They’re a Gardening & Brewing Supply Co. where you can find the best vases, pots and little oddities.

AR: Favorite shade of white and black paint color?

HC: “Decorator’s White” by Benjamin Moore and “Off Black” by Farrow & Ball.

Photo: © Caroline Allison — Photo: © Caroline Allison

AR: What’s your life motto?

HC: Be kind, and don’t take yourself too seriously.

AR: What’s the one shade that changes everything?

HC: “Hague Blue” by Farrow & Ball is my go to for a moody, sexy feel. It’s a rich blue that pulls out teal hues and is gorgeous in dining rooms and libraries.

AR: The place you go to get inspired?

HC: My studio. It’s filled with natural light, various plants, and all of my little treasures collected on trips around the world. When I’m in there, early in the morning with the music turned up, is my most creative time.

AR: The key to making a house a home?

HC: I approach making a house a home like a curatorial project. You bring in textures and layers with colors and textiles that you are drawn to. Objects, pieces of furniture, art that you collect along the way—they have meaning or a story. This story is just as important as the aesthetic. I think a home needs more fine art and less staged family portraits. That’s a big pet peeve of mine! And we all need help in some capacity. If it feels overwhelming, find someone you trust, and pay them to do it!

AR: What’s the best piece of design advice you could provide for creative entrepreneurs starting out?

HC: My father always told me to, “Live as if until as if happens.” I have found this is applicable to business as well. None of us really know what we are doing, so work with confidence until you figure it out!

AR: Who are some of your favorite artists/makers?

HC: There are too many to list! I have a deep respect and admiration for Natalie Chanin, of Alabama Chanin clothing and textile line. She is a beautiful human being, and her designs are an extension of that. One of my dear friends, Andra Eggleston, has the most amazing textile line, Electra Eggleston. I use her prints constantly! And my sister, Carrie Crowell, of Crowell Floral, whose floral designs I am forever in awe over.

AR: My momma always said…

HC: “Never go to the doctor’s office or fly on an airplane without being properly dressed.”

AR: What’s currently on your nightstand?

HC: Photos of my children, a huge stack of books I never have time to read, crystals, and a candle I can’t believe I actually paid that much for!

Alyssa Rosenheck's The New Southern Designer Spotlight with Leanne Ford Pittsburgh PA Los Angeles CA PhotoCredit © AlyssaRosenheck

Alyssa Rosenheck's The New Southern Hotelier Spotlight with Seija Ojanpera Chattanooga, TN

The New Southern | Hotelier Spotlight: Seija Ojanpera, Owner of The Dwell Hotel

September 25, 2017 in The New Southern, TNS Spotlight

Seija Ojanpera is a traveler at heart, so it’s not surprise that her lifelong dream would be to do something that would aide her fellow traveler. In 2016, she watched that dream become a reality when the doors of The Dwell Hotel opened for those passing through her adopted hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee. She’s the owner and the designer, a combination that has had its fair share of challenges in a region whose history is as varied as its landscape. “Being young, female, and in the South, there are many obstacles in business. There have been many times where I am at a table full of male contractors, architects, lawyers, and bankers, and I am at the head of the table trying to convince everyone that I’d like them all to complete tasks in a certain way…my way. There are head shakes, and ‘honey, that won’t work’ comments, and ‘when is your male business partner back in town?’ questions. I’ve had to have extremely high resolve and confidence [throughout this process]. I had to believe in myself and my capabilities,” she says.

The design, however, was the easy part, as Ojanpera has been thinking about its interiors since she was a kid, traveling with her family staying in hotels and B&Bs around the U.S. It’s a funky space, full of prints and hues and quirky mid-century furnishings and art, and believe it or not, tied to its host city. “When I think of Southern style, I imagine my mother’s South Alabama Colonial cottage on Mobile Bay—rich, antique woods, Queen Anne legs, and country florals. The hotel was along this same vein of dusty Victorian when I bought it. I was excited to usher the space a few decades into the future, though it remains a blast from the past. It feels modern due to the over-the-top popularity of mid-century modern furniture made today. The South clings to its history, and Chattanooga loves everything Chattanooga, so The Dwell really highlights another point in the city’s history—one with boomerang signs and milk glass globe lighting.”

We sat down with the rising hotelier to talk about where Southern style is today and her advice for businesswomen looking to follow in her footsteps.

Alyssa Rosenheck: What innovative trends are you seeing with Southern style across the country and how have you incorporated the trends in your hotel?

Seija Ojanpera: The lines are getting cleaner, which I really appreciate. The over-stuffed and heavy-looking block furniture seems to be getting a bit daintier. I love that wallpaper has made a comeback and I have certainly utilized that trend fully.

AR: How do you communicate Southern comfort and style to your guests?

SO: Due to our petite size, our lobby is compact. So, we like to get our customers seated into one of the front parlors as soon as possible with a cocktail. I have called them “parlors” for that lovely Southern sentiment of hospitality. Our customer service is geared toward welcoming you to your home away from home. Many boutique hotels with high design can make guests feel a bit out of place and uncomfortable. We want our guests to feel the opposite. When you walk through our doors, we are expecting you, and you absolutely belong there. Ask questions and take it all in.

AR: What advice do you have for female entrepreneurs?

SO: Do your research, stay organized, and then when everyone questions you, be confident and know you have the answer.

AR: What’s a nugget of design advice you’ve received that made all the difference?

SO: When designing a space that is made for the public, it is easy to get scared about being bold. You’re thinking, “what if I alienate all the people that hate pink? What if the South isn’t ready for this ‘California vibe?’” When I’d say, “can I...,” my friend who helped me gather all of these super fun vintage pieces always answered, “Yes. You. Can.” I’d say, “can I really put this chair with this wallpaper? Can I put this borderline creepy painting over the toilet?” And her answer was always, “yes you can.” I’m not sure I would have had the guts to pull many of my design triggers without this simple advice.

AR: Who are some of your favorite artists/makers?

SO: Adrian Pearsall is one of my favorite mid-century designers. I love mixing warm woods with cool stone like marble or travertine and then throwing in crazy fabric patterns. Pearsall has all of this. I have a floating sofa in walnut with travertine built-in end tables and the wildest orange and white print fabric. It just has everything.

AR: What’s your advice for mixing old with new?

SO: I think there’s definitely a special trick to doing this well. I was watching a TV show last night and the living room had an original mid-century Curtis Jere piece of metal art hanging too high above a crushed velvet, tufted, purple sofa and what looked to be Pottery Barn sconces on either side. It felt all wrong. I believe the trick is to commit to one general theme. Let the statement piece in the room define the flow. If it’s the sofa and it’s old, let the new throw pillows and lamps follow the lead of the lines and era even though they are made decades apart.

AR: What’s currently on your nightstand?

SO: One extremely fabulous vintage lamp with its original shade, and nothing else. Same for all the hotel rooms. No clocks, no notes, no chotchkes. I love sleeping quarters to feel open and free of clutter. Just simply beautiful.

AR: What’s your next dream business venture?

SO: I want to build the best luxury resort in the world from the ground up. I have the land with the view. I have endless inspiration and ideas for the design. Think concrete, moss, teak, white ceramic, shiny brass, and warm textiles from all over the globe. Imagine an infinity pool at the end of your bed that goes right over the edge of the mountain while you sip a mimosa at sunrise. Imagine a spa that feels like a jungle in a Georgia forest. I can almost taste it.

©AlyssaRosenheck for Leanne Ford for The Pickler and Ben Show with Kellie Pickler, Ben Aaron, Faith Hill, Joe Terry and Oprah - All photography by Alyssa Rosenheck - The New Southern.jpg

Catch my photos on the CBS premiere of Pickler and Ben TODAY with Leanne Ford!

September 18, 2017 in Nashville TN, Celebrity, AR Press Feature, AR Photography

So often, spur-of-the-moment invitations or projects prove to be the most rewarding experiences. A few weeks ago, I said YES to a last-minute project and shoot, and I can safely say I'm so thrilled and thankful that I did.

Today marks the premiere of Pickler and Ben, the brand new Nashville-based national talk show starring Kellie Pickler and Ben Aaron (produced by Faith Hill and directed by Joe Terry and his team of The Oprah Winfrey Show fame, no less!) I'm so excited to share that my photography is featured in a heartwarming segment on the premiere, which also features Dolly Parton and Little Big Town's Kimberly Schlapman.

In this inaugural episode, the Pickler and Ben team sought out Darius Garland, the top high school basketball recruit in the state, to build up his family living room and give them a space to meet their needs. My dear friend and New Southern designer Leanne Ford totally transformed his family's living space for hosting and entertaining, as their son is often visited by college basketball coaches from around the nation (think Vanderbilt, UCLA, Duke). It's such a sweet story and a true testament to the character and talent of southern creatives. We strive to direct our creativity for good, see the best in all people, and believe small acts of kindness can truly effect change. Not to mention, Leanne's bright, crisp, subtly-funky aesthetic represents everything I'm loving in design these days.

I can't wait to see the inspiring stories Kellie and Ben will tell through their new show. This is only the beginning! Check your local listings to tune in to Pickler and Ben! Here in Nashville, it airs each morning on CBS Xx

Alyssa Rosenheck's The New Southern Designer Spotlight with Stephanie Michaan of The Hamptons, Bedford, Manhattan, NY

The New Southern | Designer Spotlight: Stephanie Michaan

September 18, 2017 in The New Southern, TNS Spotlight

Imagine this: packing up your belongings, leaving the city, and heading east to where the land meets up with the water. That’s exactly what designer Stephanie Michaan did three years ago when she watched Manhattan grow smaller in her rearview mirror and took up residence in the small Hamptons town of Bridgehampton.

“My fiancé and I found an old farmhouse that we renovated and designed, then settled in with our very large pup. I started The Interior which has evolved into a small home goods and lifestyle store and interior design studio. I’ve always been drawn to homes and what makes them comfortable, beautiful, and special. I guess I could say I am somewhat of a homebody in a sense that I love nesting; there is nothing better to me than coming home at the end of the day, cooking, and getting cozy,” she says, and we couldn’t agree more.

It’s the same mindset, she says, that inspires the philosophy of The Interior, homes and products that encourage a relaxed lifestyle. “When I design I really aim to be realistic and keep in mind people’s daily routines. I love spaces that embrace simplicity, natural materials, and architecture that allows for as much natural light as possible. When working I try to balance function with uncomplicated design which I think is a big message behind The New Southern,” Michaan adds.

Alyssa Rosenheck's The New Southern Designer Spotlight with Stephanie Michaan of The Interior NY in the Hamptons, Bedford, Manhattan, NY.

To get a glimpse into her pared back, return-to-basics aesthetics, we asked Stephanie to open the door to her rural farmhouse and to tell us what’s inspiring her right now.

Alyssa Rosenheck: What are your some of your favorite hometown design boutiques to spend your weekend in?

Stephanie Michaan: My favorites are Clic in East Hampton and Tiina The Store in Amagansett. Both stores and owners inspire me in so many ways. I also love some of my Sag Harbor neighbors like JANGEORGe, Monc XIII, and Bloom.

AR: Do you have a favorite shade of white and black?

SM: Simply White by Benjamin Moore is my go-to. It’s warm, creamy, and just right. For black paint, I’ve been loving Farrow & Ball Off-Black No. 57. It’s rich and powerful, but also subtle.

AR: What are words you try to live by?

SM: Less is more. I know it’s a bit cliché but I try to live by this in all aspects of life. Design that is uncomplicated and driven by good quality makes much more of a statement. With my life, I try to keep this in mind in every area. With my shop, I’ve really tried to be careful to only source special things and not carry too many unnecessary objects.

AR: Where do you go to get inspired?

SM: The water. I love living near the beach and I try to make it a point to go every day, even if just for a few minutes. Nothing inspires and resets me more than being near the ocean. My aim in designing spaces is to evoke that feeling of serenity.

AR: The key to making a house a home?

SM: It’s about telling your own story. I love to feel comfortable and for my home to evoke a sense of relaxation. I love clean spaces, but through the years I like to collect things from trips and from my favorite stores, and then I slowly add art and photography. A house becomes a home when it’s lived in and memories are made there. Some great throw blankets, familiar candle scents, and your pup (if possible) will also do the trick.

AR: Life advice you’ve gotten that made all the difference?

SM: Nothing is permanent. It can be really intimidating starting your own company or going off on your own and I think reminding myself that it’s a wonderful thing to say, “I will give it a year.” If it doesn’t work it is all an experience and part of growing. If it does work, it will also be constantly changing and growing.

AR: What about design advice you’ve gotten that made all the difference?

SM: Find balance in the room and let each piece, color, and texture communicate.

AR: What’s the best piece of business advice you could provide for creative entrepreneurs starting out?

SM: Just go for it. There is never a perfect time to do something and if there is something you’ve always dreamed of doing, try to make it work, remember it doesn’t have to be forever, and stick to your point of view. Also, don’t overthink each decision and trust your first ideas.

AR: Who are some of your favorite artists/makers?

SM: I did a trunk show at my shop this summer with textile designer Caroline Z. Hurley. I’m a big fan of her work because her designs are unique, cozy, and so functional. Each piece she creates can be a table cloth, throw, or a beach/picnic blanket. She describes them as not being too precious, which I love. You can really use them. She embraces the idea of having less.