Finding your personal style in a sea of shiplap with interior designer Susie Prince

I sat down with Atlanta-based interior designer Susie Prince, the owner and principal designer of Susie Mae Design. She also happens to be my sister.

As a child, Susie was the consummate artist. She loved working with paints, colored pencils, and clay. Choosing to study Fine Arts was no surprise. After college, she worked in branding and package design before landing a job as a design assistant with HGTV’s Elbow Room. After one season with the show, she launched her own business. Shortly thereafter, Susie and her husband Victor competed in a reality design competition where they renovated dilapidated properties and eventually won a house! 

Since then, Susie Mae Design has grown from a daring venture to a major player in the Atlanta design community. Susie’s work was recently featured in Atlanta Magazine and Simply Buckhead. I asked her to talk to me this month about personal style at home. 

Sara Jane: Why hire a designer? 

Susie: People come to me because they have a problem to solve. They’re frustrated, they’re at their wits’ end but they want their home to be beautiful. I’m there to create a solution they wouldn’t have thought to try. 

Sara Jane: What are some of those common problems?

Susie: A lot of times it comes down to not knowing how to use a space. Either the house has too many rooms and the clients aren’t sure how to fill them, or they need their rooms to serve multiple functions: guest room, office, storage room, play space, etc., and aren’t sure how to accomplish that without cramming a bunch of disparate items in a small space. 

Sara Jane: What’s most helpful to you when first meeting with a client?

Susie: Full honesty! They are going to be disappointed in the end result if they aren’t honest about how they use the space and the budget they have to work with. If I don’t know what you want and need, I can’t design a room that works for you. I think a lot of people are afraid to nail down a budget because they think the designer will disregard it but without a clear budget, we aren’t going to get too far. 

Inspiration photos are also a great way to start. They help us get a feel for the styles you’re drawn to. 

Sara Jane: How does someone find a personal style for their home? 

Susie: I’ve never had a client fall into just one category. Almost everyone is a blend. Pay attention to what it is you like about a piece. Be specific — sometimes it’s just that the photographer did a great job with the photo, and you don’t actually like any of the elements in it. But if you’re specific, you can determine that you’re drawn to a certain color, pattern, style, hardware, etc. 

Sara Jane: How would you categorize your personal style? 

Susie: My style is “The Jetsons meet Mad Men, and they take a trip around the world.” I love sleek, modern lines but warmed up with wood tones and textiles, with a few Chinese, French and Spanish antiques in the mix. I feel very comforted by a little age and warmth, but I’m not drawn to shabby chic. And I like acrylic and shiny but not clinically minimalistic. 

Sara Jane: Tell me about some client projects you’ve done that scream personal style. 

Susie: This is the most fun part of my job! I want the rooms I design to look like the families who live in them. It’s called personal style for a reason — it should be 100% you. Think of it like a drop-waist dress... it doesn’t work for everyone. The same goes for trends in design. Shiplap and farmhouse tables don’t work in every home so don’t feel pressured to follow a trend just because it’s “in.” 

I did a basement recently that my clients wanted to feel like a New Orleans speakeasy. We did a purple velvet sofa and a copper hand-painted ceiling in the lounge area. Lots of glitz and glam. The clients love it and feel so at home there. 

Sara Jane: Are there any common traps or pitfalls people can avoid to make the most out of their time with a designer? 

Susie: It’s pretty common to try to do too much with your budget. Major renovations can eat up even a really generous budget pretty quickly. I usually recommend doing one or two amazing projects at a time versus several half projects. When we first moved into our home, I wanted to fix everything immediately! Instead, we took our time and are slowly renovating and creating a home and yard we love. 

Another common thing I see is following trends. People feel like they’re making a mistake if they don’t follow the trends they see on TV or in magazines but if they’re not honoring the architecture of the home or their own personal style, the space isn’t going to work. For example, if you live in a Colonial style home, Spanish tile and southwest interiors are going to feel out of place. Or if you live in a Victorian home with gingerbread trim, outfitting it with super minimal chrome and velvet interiors could make it feel like Delia Deetz got a hold of it. It’s completely fine if you like those styles, but using them sparingly will give your home longevity while honoring your style. 

Sara Jane: If you haven’t saved up yet for a big design project or renovation but still want to update a little, what are some budget-conscious ways to do that? 

Susie: Shop antique and vintage things rather than new. Flea markets and thrift stores are full of beautiful things that give you a more interesting, collected look that’s affordable to boot. One client of mine found a vintage Heritage-Henredon sideboard that I know goes for around $4,000 for only $125 at a local thrift store. One of my clients purchased lamps at a hotel resale shop that we were able to incorporate into her finished design.

Look around your home and see if there’s anything you can repurpose in a different room. And never underestimate the power of a can of paint! 

Sara Jane: Where should people be expected to splurge, and where can they afford to cut back a little?

Susie: Anything you sit on should definitely be an investment. We’ve all sat in a bad chair where you’re afraid it’s going to collapse or you’ll be sucked into an abyss. Invest in great-quality constructed seating and you’ll never be sorry. Another great investment is good-quality paint. Cheap paint looks bad very quickly. A mid to high-quality Sherwin-Williams or Benjamin Moore paint is worth the extra cost per gallon. They look good, clean easily and last much longer. 

Good drapes or window treatments are worth the investment but you can get by with decent ones that you’ve customized, as well. I beg of you – never hang colorful or printed unlined drapes on the front of your house! Good-quality drapery hardware makes a huge difference, as well. Your drapes will hang smoother and give you a much more expensive look. 

As far as cutting back goes, throw pillows and accessories are a great place to incorporate more budget-friendly items. Table lamps can often be found at thrift or antique stores at a great price without sacrificing much on quality. 

Sara Jane: Any last words of advice for our readers?

Susie: Avoid too many cooks in the kitchen when it comes to a design project. It’s like wedding dress shopping – consult one or two trusted friends if you want a second opinion. The more people you involve, the more tempted you’ll be to make a decision based on their opinions instead of your own. 

And if you’re going to DIY instead of hiring a designer, do yourself a huge favor and get Vern Yip’s book, Design Wise. 

You can see more of Susie’s work at susiemaedesign.com.