Interior Designer Picks & Encouraging Quotes for Hard Times

Get ready for Interior Designer Picks, Unfussy Classic Neutral Decor & Encouraging Quotes. You’ll find features lovely ideas for furnishings and accessories spied online that interior designers across the web choose for client projects as well as their own homes.

Schumacher Hydrangea Drape (Delft) wallpaper in a bath by Kathy Sue (GoodlifeofDesign). #schumacherwallpaper #hydrangeadrape #blueehydrangeawallpaper #bluebath
Schumacher’s Hydrangea Drape (Delft) wallpaper in a stunning guest bath by Kathy Perdue (GoodlifeofDesign)

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Interior Designer Picks & Simple, Classic Neutral Decor Now

She may have retired, but interior designer Kathy Perdue is still actively creating beautiful traditional styled spaces in her home and gardens! Kathy recently added this gorgeous Schumacher wallpaper in a guest bath, and you’ll find it with a few of my favorite blue patterns below.

Layer Neutrals at the Front Door

Do you ever feel overwhelmed about where to start even when you decide it’s time to spruce up your place?

Gorgeous rustic wood front door, garland, peace door mat layered on plaid rug - McGee & Co.
Beaufort Plaid Rug, McGee & Co…Interior Designer Picks as well as Simple, Classic Neutral Decor!

Me too! So I start at the front door.

Same goes for cleaning my house – sometimes things feel chaotic everywhere, and getting started is tricky because it all seems like too much to tackle.

Peace and love doormat  peace doormat  love doormat
Peace and Love Doormat, LaChiquitaStudio on Etsy

But this tip always works! I just start at the door, and suddenly when that area improves, it energizes me to keep going.

White porcelain knob exterior handle set and Neutral and Classic Decor Resources: Interior Designer Favorite Finds on Hello Lovely Studio. Come be inspired!
White Porcelain Knob Exterior Handle Set, Rejuvenation…certainly a charming addition to our interior designer picks indeed.
Encouragement quote for those who may be struggling on Hello Lovely Studio. #encouragementquotes #strugglequote #personalgrowthquote

Inexpensive New Finds (for Houseplants In My Own Home)!

I am looking forward to adding more indoor plants to our new house, and these friendly-priced ideas for displaying them were a great way to get started!

I’ll share pics of how they add cozy warmth and interest when the dust settles soon!

Bedroom Essentials for a Range of Casual Design Styles

If you love pared-down classic design pieces, these may just appeal:

Perkins Spindle Bed in White Oak and Neutral and Classic Decor Resources: Interior Designer Favorite Finds on Hello Lovely Studio. Come be inspired!
Perkins Spindle Bed (White Oak), Rejuvenation…certainly classic indeed. Neutral and Classic Decor Resources: Interior Designer Favorite Finds + 3 Smart Decorating Ideas in case you’re after a fresh airy look.

While they would easily work with country or mountain lodge style…

Perkins white oak spindle bench and Neutral and Classic Decor Resources: Interior Designer Favorite Finds on Hello Lovely Studio. Come be inspired!
Perkins Spindle Bench, Rejuvenation…certainly breezy indeed.

they could easily join a Nordic French scheme or a modern rustic interior design plan.

Catamaran Stripe Black/Off-White Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug and Neutral and Classic Decor Resources: Interior Designer Favorite Finds on Hello Lovely Studio. Come be inspired!
Black & White Stripe Rug, Wayfair…certainly classically simple indeed. Neutral and Classic Decor Resources: Interior Designer Favorite Finds + 3 Smart Decorating Ideas in case you’re after a fresh airy look.

Black and white stripes are so classic and dependable…they are not going to look silly five years from now.

Encouragement quote about struggle and overcoming on Hello Lovely Studio. #personalgrowthquotes

Interior Designer Picks: Round Woven Ottoman

These pieces are so versatile (think coffee or cocktail table), timeless, and wonderful to live with yet seem impossible to find at times!

Round woven ottoman, McGee & Co
Round Woven Ottoman, McGee & Co

This open kitchen plan caught my eye with its soothing, neutral color palette and sophisticated simplicity:

Winston stripe throw (McGee & Co) on a sofa in a classic neutral contemporary great room with white kitchen in background.
Winston Throw, McGee & Co

Isn’t this Limoges pendant stunning in the white/black color story?

And this color for the sofa took my breath away:

Mary Oliver poetry to uplift and encourage on Hello Lovely Studio.

Classic Neutral Linen Seating

Interior designers find themselves reviewing lots of upholstery colors and patterns on a daily basis so it isn’t surprising so many of them favor neutrals for their own homes.

I have a linen upholstered arm chair in a guest bedroom identical to this one, and there are so many places it looks great:

Linen Elena Upholstered Rolling Armchair and Neutral and Classic Decor Resources: Interior Designer Favorite Finds on Hello Lovely Studio. Come be inspired!
Linen Upholstered Arm Chair, World Market…certainly lovely indeed. See THIS for a collection of linen slipcovered chair options.

So don’t underestimate the power of a dining room arm chair in spaces outside the dining room.

Track arm or slope arm…which is your fav?

Darlana is a Designer Favorite!

Even if you didn’t know the name of this exact lantern style pendant, I bet you have noticed it showing up time after time in shelter magazines!

Darlana Mini Lantern, Gilded Iron and Neutral and Classic Decor Resources: Interior Designer Favorite Finds on Hello Lovely Studio. Come be inspired!
Darlana Mini Lantern (Gilded Iron)…certainly fresh yet traditional indeed. Neutral and Classic Decor Resources: Interior Designer Favorite Finds + 3 Smart Decorating Ideas in case you’re after a fresh airy look.

I love it so much (the gilded iron rather than brass is so luxurious!) that I recently bought a pair to go above the island in our new kitchen’s renovation.

Anne Lamott inspirational quote on Hello Lovely Studio. #quotes #inspirationalquotes #annelamott #lifequotes #encouragementquotes #grace

Handsome and Ages So Well

For dens, libraries, great rooms, and home offices, handsome leather club chairs work with nearly everything.

Doyle Leather Club Chair and Neutral and Classic Decor Resources: Interior Designer Favorite Finds on Hello Lovely Studio. Come be inspired!
Doyle Leather Club Chair, Rejuvenation…certainly handsome indeed. See THIS for more ideas for living room chairs.

Rustic Yet Refined Console Table

This console table is similar to the RH reclaimed wood one in my own home, but the price is much friendlier:

Everett Foyer Table and Neutral and Classic Decor Resources: Interior Designer Favorite Finds on Hello Lovely Studio. Come be inspired!
Everett Foyer Table, World Market…certainly rustically refined indeed. Neutral and Classic Decor Resources: Interior Designer Favorite Finds + 3 Smart Decorating Ideas in case you’re after a fresh airy look.

Here’s an accessory that would be beautiful on a console:

Another designer favorite?

Gourd Table Lamp, Ivory Crackle and Neutral and Classic Decor Resources: Interior Designer Favorite Finds on Hello Lovely Studio. Come be inspired!
Gourd Table Lamp…certainly lovely indeed.

Gourd lamps are so classic, and this one is a favorite with that stunning base.

Inspirational quote to encourage, uplift, and inspire on Hello Lovely Studio. #inspirationaquotes #quotes #encouragement #personalgrowth #courage #kindness

Neutral & Rustic Accessories

You probably have at least three places these babies could go!

Signature Design by Ashley Brayton Set of 2 Baskets and Neutral and Classic Decor Resources: Interior Designer Favorite Finds on Hello Lovely Studio. Come be inspired!
Ashley Brayton Baskets, Overstock…certainly rustic indeed. Neutral and Classic Decor Resources: Interior Designer Favorite Finds + 3 Smart Decorating Ideas in case you’re after a fresh airy look.
Inspirational quote to encourage on Hello Lovely Studio. #quotes #encouragement #inspirationalquote

Chairs for Your Deck, Patio, Piazza or Porch

One of the many advantages of working with an interior designer is the advice you’ll receive for choosing investment pieces that will age well with time even as trends come and go.

Triby wood patio chair at McGee & Co. #patiochairs #adirondackchairs #outdoorfurniture
Wood Patio Chair, McGee & Co

Designers can often recommend pieces and makers for which they have experience so there’s less chance you’ll be disappointed.

Triby Chair, McGee & Co
Triby Chair, McGee & Co

I finally placed chairs on our front porch, and it was just the thing I needed to feel like I was finally making some progress.

After all, choosing curtains, wall colors, furniture, and decor for a room can take a minute! However, outfitting a porch or patio area can be done in a day!

Southport 2pk Patio Club Chair Linen - Opalhouse™ - image 3 of 7
Set of 2 Patio Chairs…certainly airy and classic indeed. Neutral and Classic Decor Resources: Interior Designer Favorite Finds + 3 Smart Decorating Ideas in case you’re after a fresh airy look.

Pillows are still the easiest refresh of all…

Hillview Pillow Cover…lovely indeed!
Inspirational quote about strength from Michele of Hello Lovely Studio. #inspirationalquote #lifequote #encouragementquote #quoteabouthope

But don’t underestimate the power of a lovely vase with a simple branch:

PaleyVaseSHS17
Paley Vase, Crate & Barrel

Need This on the Patio? (I do!)

These patio candles are essential where I live when the mosquitoes are brutal.

If your style is more casual and country, these smaller galvanized examples are cute while they do the job of repelling those pests.

Another Interior Designer Favorite!

I mentioned the Darlana pendant earlier, and here’s a companion chandelier:

Shown in Aged Iron finish
Darlana Two Tired Chandelier, Lumens…certainly classic indeed.

Here’s another interior designer/lighting designer whose work shows up in some of the loveliest designer projects:

For Classic Country Kitchens

No matter what headline you see in your social feeds about a certain design style or another being completely over, I can attest modern country styles are still very requested for designers.

White Oak open shelving in industrial farmhouse style kitchen with black bridge faucet and dark hardware.
White Oak Shelving, Rejuvenation…certainly rustic indeed.

While I have yet to live with open shelving, I thought the white oak variety (above) was smart and classic looking.

Don’t you love a watering can that looks gorgeous on the counter?

Homeowners cannot get enough indoor plants, and those plants can be elevated with pretty stands.

Slide View: 1: Woods Wallpaper
Woods Wallpaper, Anthropologie

Bringing the outside in without a green thumb is also possible!

More Picks Spotted Around the Web

Who can resist another candle for the bedside table or on a shelf?

Slide View: 2: Boulangerie Jar
Boulangerie Candle, Anthropologie
Inspirational quote about courage on Hello Lovely Studio. #inspirationalquote #quotes #couragequotes #encouragementquote
Encouraging quotes as well as interior designer picks!

Classic & Preppy Style

20 and 30-somethings have a renewed interest in what’s classy or preppy!

There are plenty of ways to enjoy a traditional look in a fresh way.

Is Your Style More Casual and Rustic?

These cross-back chairs show up often in projects where a romantic, laid back look is the goal.

Gray Wood and Rattan Syena Side Chairs Set of 2
Wood & Rattan Chairs, World Market

So do natural textures to layer on the table:

Inspirational quoteQuote about smiles from Dolly Parton on Hello Lovely Studio. #inspirationalquote #lifequote #encouragementquote #quoteabouthope

Interior Designer Favorite Finds: A Splurge!

If you’re familiar with Serena & Lily, then maybe you know what designers know…

Beach house dining room with Malibu chandelier over white table - Serena & Lily. #beachhouse #diningrooms #chandelier
Serena & Lily’s Malibu Chandelier

you just can’t beat this source of coastal classics!

Malibu Chandelier
Malibu Chandelier, Serena & Lily

Handmade & Heartfelt

Something magical happens when you incorporate handmade objects into your vignettes.

Shelves styled with rustic farmhouse decor accessories including papier mache bowl by Caribbean Craft for Bloomist. #papermachebowls #papiermache #rusticdecor #handmadedecor
Paper Mache Bowl…options

With so much technology and disposable everything in modern life, objects formed by human hands are all the more set apart.

Rustic vignette with handmade paper mache bowl and clay beds from Bloomist.
Paper mache bowls...certainly lovely indeed.

Three Mindful Decorating Ideas Inspired by Pros

1. Start With Inspo From the Art

When you have established your design style yet are on the fence about color palette, a piece of art can be your inspiration.

Keeping room with lovely woven chairs and neutrals - Sherry Hart.
Design: Sherry Hart

The art’s subject matter isn’t as important as the color story and the emotion it evokes. Additionally, you don’t even have to own the art!

Luxurious classic coastal style bedroom design in a magnificent bespoke traditional home from architectural design firm Geoff Chick & Associates. #coastalstyle #coastaldecor #bedroomdesign #interiordesign
Geoff Chick & Associates. Interior Design: The Home Group. Photo: Colleen Duffley.

Even an image online, a magazine clipping, or a digital photo taken by you (go to your favorite art museum!) can be a guide to color.

Modern rustic Cali zen style in a living room by Lulu & Georgia infused with natural materials, gentle color, and timeless style.
Shop the look at Lulu & Georgia

Notice the quality of the colors to which you’re drawn. Are they pale and chalky? Rich and saturated? Watercolor? What color combinations thrill you?

A gorgeous hearth room area in a Nantucket home with interior design by Sherry Hart.
Sherry Hart – see her post about Nantucket HERE

If you own the art, snap a photo so you can access it easily while shopping online or in person.

Gorgeous gallery wall and styled vignette by Sherry Hart. #interiordesign #gallerywall #blackandwhite
Design: Sherry Hart

2. Find the Perfect Paint Color (With a Temporary Accent Wall)

Not everyone will agree, but this tip has worked for me. Let’s say you are on fence about a color for a room and still stuck after buying a sample and painting a good sized swath on the wall. What can you do to get closer to a plan?

Maritime White Benjamin Moore paint color in bedroom with design by David Christensen for 2020 Southeastern Designer Showhouse. #maritimewhite #paintcolors
Paint color: Benjamin Moore MARITIME WHITE Design: David Christensen (2020 Southeastern Designer Showhouse); photo: AH&L

Paint the whole wall and live with it so you may watch it as the light changes through the day. Are their undertones coming through that you didn’t expect after seeing just a small chip of the paint color?

Cozy white living room with rustic accents and an airy coastal organic Cali vibe - Lulu & Georgia. #whitedecor #livingroom #casualstyle #interiordesign #neutraldecor
Lulu & Georgia – shop the look HERE

Even though there is some labor involved with painting a whole wall, it’s less work than tackling the whole room!

Simple and chic Nantucket casual dining in a former porch - Sherry Hart.
Design: Sherry Hart

This tip is particularly sensible when you are seeking the perfect paint color to use throughout your home. Even though the quality of light will vary room to room, painting a whole wall may be just the start you need to proceed confidently.

Bunk room with coastal style, built-ins, and shiplap walls and ceilings - Geoff Chick. #bunkrooms #coastalstyle #builtinbunks
Geoff Chick & Associates

3. Use an E-Designer for Finishing Touches

There are plenty of design projects where there simply isn’t room in the budget to hire an interior designer, but the internet has democratized beautiful design in some lovely ways.

Sometimes what you need is simply a few conversations or mood boards to point you in the design direction that is best for your unique needs.

In other cases, it helps to have a design savvy e-designer help you with accessorizing and placing finishing touches on a space where the anchor pieces are already in place.

Do search my archives HERE for inspiration too.

Serene and neutral European country inspired breakfast nook with window seat, round dining table, and Belgian slope arm chairs - Hello Lovely Studio.
Hello Lovely Studio…interior designer picks as well as encouraging quotes to pin.

If you gravitate toward neutral European country inspired interiors like those I favor in my own home, you may like cost conscious pieces curated in my Amazon store RIGHT HERE.

Encouragement quote about doing the impossible on Hello Lovely Studio. #encouragementquotes #strugglequotes

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

Shop for items you already intended to buy on Amazon RIGHT HERE, and also find home decor here to keep decor inspiration flowing on Hello Lovely!

Hello Lovely is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing
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9 Comments

  1. Carol
    January 24, 2020 / 7:08 am

    I was looking for that low profile bed, in one of the photos above. Also the blue lamps . Cant find them listed

  2. Erin
    June 24, 2022 / 3:42 pm

    Where can I find the front door. It is beautiful!

  3. Luke
    January 8, 2023 / 9:18 am

    Great inspirations. Thank you!

    • Michele
      Author
      January 8, 2023 / 1:42 pm

      So happy you enjoyed them!

  4. Marian
    February 28, 2023 / 2:02 pm

    I love the camel sofa with the Winston throw….I am in the process of finding one. So far, I’m not finding the fabric to go on the sofa we like. Can you tell me about it? Thanks!!

    • Michele
      Author
      February 28, 2023 / 5:16 pm

      It very well may be custom – so often the case when you want a very particular look! Here’s a sofa on sale that is traditional and seems as though it would be gorgeous with camel velvet if you found fabric and an upholsterer: https://rstyle.me/+m6Ll6ezlrDA6zsbBZHj5wQ

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Let’s SHOP!

White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing