Pepper Design Blog

Friday Guest Interview: Isabella & Max Rooms

It would be a close call… but if I could choose one person to decorate my home from top to bottom it would be Janell of Isabella & Max Rooms. Her style is a creative combination between traditional & contemporary – with a comfy twist.

I adore her daily posts about diy projects and decorating – Janell shares step-by-step tutorials on everything from sewing and lining drapes to reupholstering occasional chairs, along with her inspiration process for her beautifully decorated home & client projects.

You might recognize the above room from an inspiration board I created a while back for my own living room . I *love* it – everything from the colors to the beautiful patterns and those wonderful antlers above the mantle.

A bit about Janell: “I have always been passionate about design… I first studied painting and drawing, receiving a BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. After working briefly for a clothing manufacturer, I launched my own line [and] when a move took me to San Francisco I opened a boutique where I continued to design for my wholesale line.

Several years later, with a move to Portland, Oregon and the arrival of my wonderful children Isabella and Max, my focus shifted to the home and interior design. In 2006, I started my current business creating warm and eclectic interiors. It is a field I am thoroughly enjoying being involved in and challenged by!”

Let’s dive right into this interview and see the rest of her home! Including her son Max’s map-inspired bedroom (the chalkboard paint is genius), a beautiful teal & coral bedroom and remodeled living room.

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{PDB Interview with Janell}

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What inspires your design style?

Nearly anything and everything! Color, fabric, art, my children, furniture with beautiful lines, travel. Finding a bargain and figuring out how to make it be beautiful…seeing the possible in the unlikely.

What do you love most about what you do?

What are your favorite design trends?

My favorite trend in design is to build a design with items that don’t necessarily match, allowing a very eclectic and personal space to be created.

What are three design suggestions that you would like to offer our readers?

{1} Buy only what you love, be patient and keep looking if you have to. You will not regret it.

{2.} Building on the previous advice, if you bring things into your home that you really love it will all somehow work well together.

{3} Don’t be overly concerned about trends, decorate your home in a style that speaks to you.

Thank you, Janell!
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Images in this interview can be credited to Janell at Isabella & Max Rooms