Every designer has room they enjoy decorating more than others, so this week we asked eight pros from across the country—Naïka André, Will Brown, Elyssa Contardo, Allison Handler, Grace Lee-Lim, Gideon Mendelson, Lori Morris and Nicole Roe—to reveal their top choice.
World of Whimsy
“When I design a child’s bedroom, I see it as crafting a magical realm where the child becomes the hero of their own story. These spaces are not just rooms, but enchanted kingdoms where dreams take flight and imaginations run wild. I begin each project by spending time with the child, gathering tales of their favorite colors, beloved stories, and the things that fill them with joy and excitement as well as comfort. This discovery process allows me to weave a narrative that brings their imagination to life within the space. For instance, I recently had the pleasure of creating a room for a young dancer who adored all things pink. The design evolved into a whimsical sanctuary, where … an elegant swan nestled among the plush bed throw, and mushrooms grew out of the carpeted forest floor. Despite a parent’s request to keep the walls unpainted, we introduced a stunning accent wall with cherry blossom wallpaper, creating a vibrant yet harmonious focal point. The centerpiece of the room was a canopied bed, draped in floral garlands and accompanied by feathered friends, transforming the bed into a castle within her personal enchanted forest.” —Will Brown, Will Brown Interiors, Kansas City, Missouri
Where Form Meets Function
“My favorite room to decorate is the living room. This space offers countless opportunities to showcase collections, whether through built-ins, credenzas or coffee tables, each providing a canvas for styling books, ceramics, pottery and other cherished items. The walls become a backdrop for layered art and lighting, adding depth and personality. I love how a living room’s vibe can transition throughout the day—from light and airy in the morning to cozy and moody in the evening. It’s a room where textures and patterns can truly come to life, all while maintaining durability and comfort, making it a perfect blend of form and function.” —Nicole Roe, R. Nickson Interiors, Lakeland, Florida
Page-Turner
“I think my favorite rooms to decorate and design are libraries. Maybe it’s because I love books, but I also like the idea that the library should be comfortable and a place to gather. Designing millwork is very satisfying as well! It involves some extra thought and attention to detail, which appeals to me.” —Gideon Mendelson, Mendelson Group, New York
Personal Spa
“My favorite rooms to decorate are the powder bath and the primary bath. I love to do something a little surprising in the powder—something that might not necessarily go with the rest of the house. This is definitely a space where you have the opportunity to really make a statement, and it should be a memorable experience for your client and their guests! When I’m working on a project with two powder baths, I always do a dark and a light one, a little bit of a yin and yang vibe. For the primary bath, some of my clients want something a little more dramatic, but for the majority I make it a spa-like [design]. We are so bombarded with daily nuances, I think it’s important for my clients to be able to wind down and start their day in a serene environment. Instead of wanting to escape to a spa, why not create it in your home for a daily experience.” —Elyssa Contardo, Elyssa Contardo Interior Design, Palm Desert, California
Inner Sanctum
“Without a doubt, my favorite room to design is a primary suite. We love being able to create the sanctuary that our clients will retreat to after a long day. Between the different elements of a bedroom—from furnishings and lighting to wall and window coverings, and tile, plumbing, and cabinetry selections in a bathroom—we get to source all of our favorite elements of a design scheme and flow them into one spectacular space.” —Allison Handler, Allison Handler Design, Ridgewood, New Jersey
Multifunctional Space
“My favorite room to design is the family room. I love the intention behind it. It’s a space that gets daily use by all family members and, in my opinion, is the heart and soul of the home, right after the kitchen. It’s where everyone comes together for fun and comfort. Many cherished memories are created here, which is what makes this room so special. The family room supports multiple functions, like gaming, entertaining, watching TV, lounging and more—often accommodating more than one person at a time. Designing these spaces allows us to be really creative, as the room needs to adapt to various activities for everyone.” —Naïka André, NJA Interiors, Stamford, Connecticut
Sensory Experience
“I love designing any sort of dining space, be it a formal dining room or breakfast nook. There's something so romantic about the movement and energy surrounding dining tables and gatherings, and being able to set the tone for clients and their guests is so rewarding. I also love utilizing all five senses and really enjoy putting together tablescapes and flower arrangements for our clients to see the full potential of their dining spaces.” —Grace Lee-Lim, Grace Lee-Lim Interiors & Design, Los Angeles
Metamorphosis
“[My favorite is] the lounge. To me, it’s the living space that would be formerly known as the living room—because people’s lifestyles are much different now. It’s the sitting area, the pre-dinner area, the cocktail area, the music room. It gives you lots of flexibility for decoration, architectural elements and layers of textures on the walls, ceilings and cabinetry. [You can] put everything in one room, because the functionality of the space allows for it.” —Lori Morris, Lori Morris Design, Toronto
