At Ramey, we have a deep history in the premium home category and a passion for building relationships with notable designers in the industry. This is why interior designer Isabel Ladd (@isabel_ladd_interiors) caught my attention this year at the 2024 KBIS Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. As I walked into the Café Appliance booth, I was blown away by the design, specifically one corner that was bursting with bright colors and patterns. This corner was created by Isabel and it radiated her ultimate maximalist style, while still maintaining a luxury and high-end feel.
With over 10 years of experience in interior design, Isabel has worked with partners such as Spoonflower, Serena & Lily, Kohler, and California Closets. She works on huge editorial projects such as House Beautiful Whole Home, Kips Bay, the 2024 GE Cafe KBIS Booth, and more. You can find her work in Southern Living, Business of Home, and on HGTV (to name a few).
Isabel’s design style left an impression on me, so I connected with her for an interview to learn more about not only her view on the design industry and trends, but to learn more about how she creates this unique and passionate style that radiates joy and color.
What led you to be an interior designer?
I went to school for fashion, think textile design and creating prints… and never thought of interiors. I was a stay at home mom and had two young kids. I would have people over for play dates and people would always ask me ‘How is your house so pretty and tidy with two young kids?’ I would always say ‘I don’t sacrifice style just because I have kids. I am going to do what I want … and train my kids to live in it.’
That is how it all started, one friend turned client at a time.
How does your maximalist style influence your clients’ desire for luxury?
It is so intuitive – There is no formula I use, it is just instinct. It will start with an amazing fabric or wallpaper. When I get something new through my reps or I am going through my archives… I put it on a board with all of my inspo and think ‘I love this, I have to use it somewhere’.
When I get a new project, I go to my inspo board and think ‘that is the one that is going to kick off the show.’ .. and everything evolves from this one amazing pattern.
What is your advice for how to achieve this maximalist style?
I always remind people that design doesn’t have to be permanent, you can change and evolve. Design should evolve as you and your style evolve. Choose what you love now and update it later if you want. Design is never done.
At Ramey, we love brand partnerships and seeing how they flourish for both parties involved. What benefits have you seen from the brand collaborations you have done?
It introduces me to a whole new audience. It gives me credibility not only in the industry as a rising designer, but also credibility when a potential client goes through my website and sees who I work with.
Even with my existing clients that I have had for 10 years, the longer I have been doing this, the more brand collaborations and national appearances, the more I am able to push the envelope of creativity.
Sustainability and Wellness: Do you see this being important in the high-end home market?
Yes I do, but I may think of wellness a little differently than you are asking. I think of wellness as decorating a home that you love and not decorating for resale. Do not put a wallpaper or a backsplash that is for resale, do things for you. Wellness means designing for your family first.
For sustainability, I love reupholstering furniture. If someone has a good chair, I will put amazing fabric on it. When I am redecorating and bringing in new furniture, all of the old pieces go to Habitat for Humanity. We even do this in construction. For example, instead of demoing cabinets and taking a jack hammer to it, we take it off slowly and methodically because Habitat for Humanity will pick up those cabinets and reuse them. I do not put things in the landfill.
Are there any trends you are excited about for 2025 or any that are relevant in the home right now?
There are a lot of arches, scallops, and more whimsical shapes. I love that people are leaning more into wallpaper and the maximalist space. I have done that for years so it doesn’t feel new, but I do see that as a trend.
We see the current market impacting new builds vs. homeowners staying put and renovating. Is that true for your clients?
Yes, first because interest rates are so high and second, if you buy and upgrade a house – that is a huge budget. If you already have a house, make the investment in things that add personality to the home – the wallpaper, the fabrics, the fun decor.
What is your favorite kind of project to work on?
I love a showhouse and I love doing brand collaborations. When a brand says ‘here is our product, put this in one of your maximalist spaces,’ I love it. Brands want me to ‘do me’ with their products, and that is so fun.
My favorite residential project is for repeat clients. Those clients are my favorite because they love me for my style. I know them, I know what to push on and what to hold back on. My favorite clients are the ones who are excited about adding color and patterns to their house. They trust me to do something they are going to love that is a reflection of them.
Isabel has an exciting year on the horizon and you can expect to see her working on more brand partnerships, speaking on panels, traveling, and marrying the world of fashion and design on her social channels. We are excited for what is to come and look forward to seeing more of this maximalist style in 2025.
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