Inspiration Through the Eyes of a Stylist

By Shelley Caldwell

Shelley is a wife, a mother of two, and an Interior Stylist. She has grown her Instagram following by sharing photos of her home – and telling her story – through the pieces that are in it. She has loved turning her newly built house into a home that her entire family can be proud of.

I have always had a love for interior design. I constantly changed things around in my parents’ home; straightening rugs and picture frames and moving furniture were things that came naturally. It was not until I had children and became a stay-at-home mom that I realized how important it is to enjoy the space I call my office. I began following a few of my favorite designers on Instagram and before I knew it, I was posting pictures of my own home in the hope of inspiring others. I was asked by several acquaintances to style their homes and just like that, my styling journey began.

I find inspiration in many places: other stylists and designers, design books, nature, different cultures, and my family. I use these various forms of inspiration in my own home as well as when I am designing for others.

I follow one simple rule- “I don’t design for designers, I design for real people.” I enjoy working with what people already own- re-styling pieces to create a new look in an existing space. Like myself, my clients are on a budget however, and everyone deserves an inviting haven to call home. If you are comfortable in your home, others will be as well.

I enjoy watching the trends ebb and flow. The major trend I see often, and that I follow myself, is mixing different textures. In adhering to a cohesive color pallet and infusing the space with varying textures, depth and interest are added to a space. I enjoy designing an entire room and giving clients the opportunity to see our vision come to fruition. Also, I like the challenge of styling vignettes, specifically open shelving. This can take a lot of editing, however, the end result is incredibly rewarding.

Simplicity and clean lines with a rustic-modern twist explain my style. I like to use textiles, including pillow covers, throws and cushions to add depth and interest to a space. Textiles are the most cost-effective way to change the overall feeling in a room. My style is reflected through the mixture of unique items found from small businesses and national retailers alike. I enjoy doing collaborations with small businesses and I appreciate the distinct touch their pieces add to my home.

I enjoy being able to tap into my creativity through design and styling. This has become an outlet to express myself on a daily basis. My family and I live a very simple life. Though we are homebodies, we love to travel. We have several places we would like to visit and check off our bucket list. My husband and I recently celebrated our 10 year anniversary with a weeklong cruise to the Eastern Caribbean. While we had an amazing time, we were excited to come home to our family.