New Year’s Bless & Release
How to Embrace Your Home's True Potential

As 2024 comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on our spaces and the role they play in our lives. At Rowan Hall Interiors, we know that one of the biggest challenges for homeowners is navigating sentimental items that no longer align with their desired aesthetic. That’s where Alfie’s bless and release method shines—a liberating, creative approach that balances honoring memories with designing a home that feels fresh, cohesive, and uniquely yours.

Letting Go While Preserving the Memory

Sentimental items hold deep emotional value, but they don’t always fit seamlessly into your current style. Alfie’s advice? Honor the memory without holding onto the object itself. For instance, if you’ve inherited your grandmother’s hutch or a dining set that feels out of place, take a photo of the item and frame it alongside a picture of your loved one. This creative solution preserves the emotional connection while freeing your home of items that no longer serve its design.

This thoughtful method allows you to release guilt and create space for pieces that align with your evolving aesthetic, all while keeping cherished memories close.

The “Bless and Release” Mentality

Sentimental items often come from a place of love, but not all of them were built to last or fit into your forever home. Alfie reminds us that it’s okay to acknowledge the purpose these items once served and move forward. The bless and release approach encourages appreciation for these pieces while letting go of the physical objects, creating room for a design that fully reflects your current tastes and lifestyle.

Holding onto items out of obligation can dilute the cohesive style you’re aiming for. Alfie says it best: “Every piece you keep that doesn’t fit the look you want waters down the final design.” A thoughtfully curated space is one that brings joy, not guilt.

Investing in What You Love

As life shifts—especially after children leave the nest—it’s natural to want to invest in a home that truly reflects your style. Yet clinging to outdated or mismatched items can hold you back. Alfie encourages homeowners to be honest with themselves: Are these items elevating your space or hindering its transformation?

Not every sentimental item needs to go; the key is finding ways to integrate meaningful pieces without compromising your design vision. Repurpose or reimagine these treasures in a way that complements your style, ensuring they enhance rather than detract from your home’s overall look.

A Personal Story: The Power of Letting Go

Alfie herself has experienced the emotional weight of sentimental items. After her mother, an avid antique lover, passed away, Alfie faced the challenge of sorting through a home full of meaningful objects. She chose to host an estate sale, allowing others to find joy in these items. This act of letting go gave Alfie the space to create a home that truly reflected her own style while honoring her mother’s love for beautiful things.

Finding Balance with Sentimental Items

Transitioning your space with sentimental items is about striking the right balance. It’s not about erasing the past but thoughtfully blending sentimentality with practicality. Alfie’s approach empowers homeowners to honor their memories while embracing their present, resulting in homes that feel both meaningful and modern.

At Rowan Hall Interiors, our mission is to help you create a space that serves your lifestyle and reflects your personal style. As trusted interior decorators in Knoxville, we’re here to guide you through the emotional and creative journey of redesigning your home.

So, as the new year approaches, consider embracing the bless and release mentality. It’s not just about letting go; it’s about stepping into a new chapter with intention, joy, and a space that feels unmistakably you.

Ready to transform your home? Let’s make 2025 the year your vision becomes a reality. Contact Rowan Hall Interiors today to get started!

Get the Rowan Hall party started!

To get in touch with a member of our team, fill out our contact form.

To discuss a potential project and get more information, schedule a discovery call.

To get started making your home extraordinary, book a consultation.

Happy Holidays from Rowan Hall Interiors
Season's Greetings from Alfie and the Team

As the holiday season embraces us with its warmth and joy, we at Rowan Hall Interiors find ourselves reflecting on a year filled with creativity, beautiful transformations, and connections that inspire. This time of year is about more than decking the halls (though you know we love a gorgeously styled mantle). It’s about gathering with loved ones, cherishing traditions, and finding peace in the spaces that surround us.

Whether your holiday plans include hosting a grand dinner party or curling up by the fire with a good book, your home should feel like a haven of comfort and cheer. If your space isn’t quite ready to match the magic of the season, don’t worry—Rowan Hall Interiors is here to help. From creating cozy nooks to designing layouts that make entertaining effortless, we bring tailored expertise to every project.

This holiday season, let us take a moment to thank you—our cherished clients and friends. It’s your trust and collaboration that allow us to do what we love: crafting spaces that tell your stories and make every day feel a little more special.

May your home be filled with laughter, love, and a touch of sparkle this season. And as you dream about what 2024 might hold for your home, remember that Rowan Hall Interiors is just a call away to make those visions come true.

Happy Holidays and warm wishes from Alfie and the entire Rowan Hall Interiors team!

Get the Rowan Hall party started!

To get in touch with a member of our team, fill out our contact form.

To discuss a potential project and get more information, schedule a discovery call.

To get started making your home extraordinary, book a consultation.

Alfie on Speed Dial
When to call your Knoxville Interior Designer

If there’s one piece of advice Alfie wishes all clients knew before embarking on a design project, it’s this: call in your Knoxville interior designer early—earlier than you think you need to. While it may seem like a simple suggestion, it can make an enormous difference in how smoothly the project runs and how successful the final result turns out.

Why Timing Matters: Getting the Designer Involved Early

Too often, clients start their projects by working closely with an architect, developing plans and crafting a vision for their home. By the time those plans reach the designer, a lot of decisions have already been made. While it’s never too late to make changes, waiting until the architect has finalized the plans can sometimes lead to backtracking. Features that sounded great initially might not align with the overall design vision once the designer is brought in.

For example, a client might tell the architect they want a particular feature, like a specific room layout or built-in detail. But once the designer sees the bigger picture, it becomes clear that the feature doesn’t quite fit with the style or function of the home. It’s like baking a cake—just because you love pineapple and artichokes doesn’t mean they should go together in a recipe. Each design element needs to be carefully chosen to create a cohesive final product.

By bringing your Knoxville interior designer in from the start, clients can avoid these mismatches and ensure that every detail of the home works together seamlessly. When the architect, builder, and designer collaborate early on, they can make sure that every element aligns with the client’s vision and avoids costly or time-consuming changes later on.

Avoiding Costly Changes and Delays

As a Knoxville interior designer, getting us involved early also allows for the small but critical details to be accounted for before construction begins. Things like leaving enough space for drapery stacks, choosing lighting that works with ceiling heights, or planning the layout around furniture all require careful thought during the design phase. These are small adjustments that are easy to make on paper, but they can become expensive and disruptive if discovered after the build is already underway.

The earlier the designer is involved, the fewer surprises arise during the construction process. While every project inevitably has some unexpected challenges, planning ahead as much as possible ensures a smoother experience for everyone involved.

Seamless Collaboration Between the Design Team

One of the biggest advantages of bringing in a designer early is the collaborative synergy it creates between the designer, architect, and builder. When all the professionals are working together from the start, they can ensure that the client’s vision is carried through every phase of the project. This teamwork leads to better communication, fewer misunderstandings, and a more cohesive final design.

Designers and architects speak the same language when it comes to style preferences and design intent. Whether the client leans toward the casual elegance of Shea McGee or the vibrant flair of Lilly Pulitzer, a designer can convey these preferences to the architect in a way that ensures the home reflects the client’s style. When everyone is on the same page, the project moves faster, and the results are more aligned with the client’s dream.

By integrating the designer into the process early, clients can ensure that their project runs smoothly, stays on budget, and delivers an amazing end result that exceeds expectations. Whether it’s choosing the right layout, coordinating finishes, or planning for future needs, having a designer on board from the start makes all the difference.

Embark with Rowan Hall Interiors

Thinking about embarking on your own home design project? If you’re looking to invest in a custom built forever home or interested in renovating a home on the perfect street, the best thing you can do is start chatting with our team NOW! Contact Knoxville interior design firm, Rowan Hall Interiors, to get more information and a game plan for where to begin. We’ll take you through each step and help create a home you’ll love for years to come.

Get the Rowan Hall party started!

To get in touch with a member of our team, fill out our contact form.

To discuss a potential project and get more information, schedule a discovery call.

To get started making your home extraordinary, book a consultation.

Historic Meets Bold
A living room renovation in Knoxville’s Fourth and Gill neighborhood

Nestled in Knoxville’s beloved Fourth and Gill neighborhood, this 120-year-old house came to Rowan Hall Interiors with an abundance of character. With its intricate woodwork, aged charm, and authentic craftsman details, this home’s historic roots guided us as we transformed its living room. Our client’s vibrant personality meant that this space was going to be anything but ordinary; they embraced timeless elegance with a side of daring design decisions. If you’re looking for an interior decorator in Knoxville, TN who knows how to combine history with bold design, you’re in the right place!

BEFORE

Preserving Charm with a Timeless Touch

Our team knew that this space was already telling a story, so we approached the renovation by enhancing its natural beauty. Original elements like the wood trim, architectural details, and even the flooring were thoughtfully preserved, maintaining the craftsmanship that gives homes like this their unique character. Alfie, Rowan Hall’s principal designer and trusted interior decorator in Knoxville, TN, was thrilled to work on a project where preserving the old seamlessly complemented integrating the new. 

Bold Pops of Color for a Statement-Making Style

We couldn’t wait to bring in furnishings that balanced the historic structure with contemporary style. For this project, Alfie and color consultant Sylvia worked together to select hues that would both respect and enliven the space. We opted for deep, rich tones that would stand out against the classic backdrop, adding a sense of warmth while injecting vibrant personality into the room. The jewel-toned sofa adds a bold pop of color, creating a focal point that feels both classic and modern. If you’re in search of an interior decorator in Knoxville, TN, to bring vibrancy to your historic home, Rowan Hall Interiors has the expertise you need.

Furnishing with Function and Flair

While color was key, so was selecting pieces that aligned with the craftsman style of the home. We introduced timeless furniture pieces with classic lines that honor the home’s era, starting with studded sofas and a glass coffee table. The mix of the clean table with elegant upholstery strikes a balance between traditional and contemporary—perfect for a client that appreciates the past while loving the present. Our Knoxville, TN, interior decorators chose lighting to complement the room’s natural light, with lamps that blend vintage charm and modern functionality.

A Space with Personal Touches

We believe every home should reflect its owner, and this one is no exception. Our client wasn’t afraid to let his personality shine through with eclectic artwork and bold textiles. Each element in the room, from framed prints to velvet throw pillows, was chosen to reflect his love for daring design. Alfie and the team carefully styled these finishing touches, bringing warmth, comfort, and the distinct charm that truly makes this space their own.

Bringing Your Vision to Life

At Rowan Hall Interiors, we are passionate about making your space reflect both your lifestyle and the unique story of your home. Whether it’s a century-old craftsman or new construction, our team of interior decorators in Knoxville, TN, is here to make every detail come alive in a way that resonates with you. Reach out to Rowan Hall Interiors if you’re ready to infuse your home with a personalized touch, timeless charm, and maybe even a bold pop of color!

Get the Rowan Hall party started!

To get in touch with a member of our team, fill out our contact form.

To discuss a potential project and get more information, schedule a discovery call.

To get started making your home extraordinary, book a consultation.

The 3-Year Itch
A Knoxville Interior Designer’s Theory to Keeping your Home Fresh

If you’ve been a client of Rowan Hall’s in the past, you may have heard Alfie talk about the 3-year itch. Even the most beautifully designed homes can begin feeling stale after looking at the same things for so long. Alfie’s recommendation is not to do a total overhaul when that happens, but instead to call our team back for a refresh, revitalizing your space with minimal effort and investment. 

Reimagining Your Existing Space

One of the easiest and most effective ways to refresh a home is by simply reimagining the placement of your existing items. Alfie often suggests moving pieces between rooms, like swapping a rug from the living room to the dining room, or relocating a bedroom chair to a different space. If your home has a consistent color palette and quality pieces, these subtle changes can create a whole new look without requiring you to purchase anything new.

The same principle applies to furniture. Moving chairs, tables, or even artwork from one room to another can have a surprisingly big impact. Artwork in particular plays a key role in Alfie’s refresh process. By moving art from one wall to another or rotating pieces in and out of storage, homeowners can keep their decor feeling dynamic and ever-evolving. This simple step keeps things fresh, ensuring your home never feels stagnant.

Adding New Pieces to the Mix

Beyond rearranging existing items, Alfie recommends selectively adding a few new pieces to update your space. For example, swapping in a contemporary lamp in the living room can instantly modernize the look and feel of the room, while the older lamp might find a new home in a guest room or office. It’s all about repurposing pieces that still have plenty of life left in them while introducing something new to give the space a fresh, updated feel.

Letting Go of the Old

Part of the three-year refresh process also involves letting go of items that no longer serve a purpose in your home. Alfie encourages clients to adopt a “bless and release” mentality, where items that have fulfilled their role are passed on to make room for new possibilities. This can be an incredibly liberating step in the refresh process, as decluttering not only creates space but also allows your home to feel lighter and more intentional.

By saying goodbye to pieces that no longer align with your style or needs, you create room for items that will enhance your space and your life.

Thoughtful, Strategic Changes

Ultimately, Alfie’s approach to a three-year refresh isn’t about tearing everything apart and starting from scratch. It’s about making thoughtful, strategic changes that help your home feel fresh, inviting, and reflective of your current lifestyle. The process is simple: move things around, add a few new touches, and release what’s no longer serving you. The result is a home that continues to evolve and remain a place of comfort and joy.

This approach not only keeps your space looking current but also helps you stay connected to your home, ensuring that it always feels like a reflection of who you are, even as your tastes and needs change over time. Whether you’re swapping rugs, rearranging artwork, or adding a modern piece of furniture, a three-year refresh is all about keeping your home alive and ever-changing, without the need for a full renovation.

Scratch the Itch

If you’re starting to feel the itch, why not see what a Rowan Hall refresh can do for you? Reach out to our team for a personal consultation and let’s keep your space feeling as fresh and welcoming as the day you first stepped in.

Contact our team today for a minor home refresh or a total restart to get your home on the right track. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Get the Rowan Hall party started!

To get in touch with a member of our team, fill out our contact form.

To discuss a potential project and get more information, schedule a discovery call.

To get started making your home extraordinary, book a consultation.