EDITOR’S NOTE: There are differences between Interior Designers, Interior Decorators and Stagers. The former, requiring more education and time in the field. 

When hiring a professional, make sure to do your homework. 

Have you read the blog, Oak Ridge Revival, yet? If not, you’re missing out on great home design inspiration coming right out of your very own town. I’ve been following along with interior decorator Andrea Surrey’s projects and am always impressed with her work. For example, her kitchen (shown above) is a space most people dream of having in their home. Kitchens like this are pinned like crazy on Pinterest. 

Andrea was sweet enough to share some of her interior design insights with us. Without further ado, let’s get to the Q&A… 

What are your favorite
local stores for scoring great home décor deals?

My favorite local stores to shop for
home decor are Home Goods, TJ Maxx, Home Emporium, IKEA and the Ballard Designs Outlet.  

Where do you look to
find unique and affordable statement pieces for an interior space?

My sister-in-law turned me onto thrifting
several years ago and I have been an avid thrifter ever since. I
frequently visit local Goodwill stores, Saint Vincent de Paul and Legacies consignment store in Hyde Park. I like to search for one of kind and vintage
pieces that can really make a statement in a room.

What sources do you go
to for interior design inspiration? 

I frequently use Pinterest as a source of
inspiration. I also follow quite a few design blogs. A few of my
favorites are Lauren Liess,
The Hunted Interior
and Little Green Notebook.

Do you have any
favorite home décor websites that are fail-proof when it comes to
purchasing home accents?

I do a fair amount of online shopping for
myself and on behalf of my clients. A few of my favorite websites are Overstock,
Home Decorators Collection,
Furbish Studio,
Chairish and World Market. 

What are your top
three go-to items for instantly changing the look of a room?

My top three go to items for instantly
changing the look of a room are paint, lighting and mirrors.  

What do you love about
living in Fort Thomas?

I grew up on a farm in a small town in rural
Western Kentucky. I like that Fort Thomas offers the small town feel, but
is in close proximity to Cincinnati and all it has to offer. To me, it
is the best of both worlds. 

Pantone’s Color of the Year: “Radiant Orchid” – Love it or leave it?

I know Pantone named radiant orchid the
color of the year for 2014, but I am crushing on navy blue in a big way. I love the classic look of navy and I think it works well with so many
other colors.

Any top colors,
patterns or trends we should consider incorporating into our homes as we move
into the spring season?

I like to keep up with the trends in the
design world, but personally I’m not a huge fan of trends. I tend to lean
more toward the traditional style in home decor. But I love to mix in
some vintage pieces to make the space feel more collected.


What’s your favorite
room in your home and why? 

My favorite room in our home tends to change
with the season. Right now, in the dead of winter, our mudroom is most
definitely my favorite room. In the spring and fall, our recently
renovated back porch is where you will find me spending most of my time. But
overall, our kitchen, which is truly the heart of our home, is my overall
favorite space. 

Love what you see? Andrea offers several levels of design services:

  • E-Design 
  • Local Hourly Consultation
  • Complete Design Plan 

For more information on her services, click here.

A special thanks to Andrea for sitting down to share her insights with the Fort Thomas community!

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