Designer insights with Rachel Cannon Lewis

Rachel Cannon Lewis is a sophisticated interior designer offering classic and tailored style to her clients from Rachel Cannon Lewis Interiors, in Louisiana. Rachel crafts interiors that utilise rich architectural detail, subtle colour and livable design elements. She has been trained as an art historian, has gained a degree in interior design and has been featured on HGTV.com, House & Home magazine, and numerous other publications. So we are proud to bring you the Designer Insights of Rachel Cannon Lewis.

Designer Insights - Rachel Cannon Lewis

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1) In your own words describe your unique style and creative aesthetic?

I describe my aesthetic as Vibrant Traditionalism. I’m rooted in the classic principles of design, but my love of color, pattern, and graphic elements means there’s always a mix of both old and new.

2) When starting a new project, what is your creative process?

I guide my clients down a linear path, beginning with the end in mind. We follow a structured 15-step process that minimizes the risk involved with the financial investment in their homes.

3) Out of the creative people you have worked with, who is it that you respect and admire the most?

Tobi Fairley has played an instrumental role in helping me develop my business. She’s an interior designer and business strategist who mentors up-and-coming designers to grow their businesses. It was her advice that helped me see a better way to create an experience for my clients that categorically set me apart from other designers in my area. Through her mentorship, I was able to identify my ideal client, creatively market a clear message to those potential clients.

4) When looking for inspiration is there a particular thing you do to get inspired?

I have a very sharp eye for inspiration. I once created an entire colour palette for a client based on a piece of blueberry cheesecake I’d seen in a bakery. Really observing the world around me means my clients are delighted with the ideas I bring to them.

5) What has brought you to this point in your career? And what is your advice for people looking to follow in your footsteps? 

Accurately identifying the type of client who will empower me to do my best work was the turning point for me in my business. My advice for anyone who wants a career in design is to be clear about who you are as a designer, and look for clients who see the value in what you can accomplish for them. Don’t waste your time on projects that aren’t rewarding or on clients who aren’t appreciative. The designer-client relationship should be one of mutual selection.