I am an interior designer and interior design blogger and writer. I
recently relocated to Venice, Florida after spending my entire adult
life in the Washington, DC area. After losing my husband, I moved here
to Florida looking to reboot, and discovered that I really love it here.
I have just renovated a beautiful home and garden in Venice, and could
not be more excited about this next chapter.
I have had an indirect path to a career in interior design. I grew up in Lake Forest, Illinois amidst the grandest homes of the Chicago area designed by architects like David Adler and decorated by the likes of his sister Frances Elkins, designer of the iconic loop chair, a great favorite of mine.
I am certain that much of my design aesthetic was formed during this period, with my love of classic and traditional interiors and of course Chinoiserie. Interestingly, I grew up in a mid century modern home with rosewood, teak, black leather, and abstract art. I do have a sweet spot for mid century modern as well, and love to incorporate it into my designs.
I attended prep school in Lake Forest at Ferry Hall/Lake Forest Academy and then went east for college at Bryn Mawr. One of my my two majors was American Studies and I studied American decorative arts at Winterthur and the great museums of Philadelphia. I then moved to DC for law school at George Washington University and worked for a private law firm, the Department of Justice, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
After the birth of my daughter Kate, I stopped practicing law full time. Then in 2009, I began my blog Chinoiserie Chic incorporating my love of interior design and Chinoiserie. I have always helped family and friends decorate their homes, and after launching my blog starting taking on clients.
I now have my own interior design business representing clients in the Sarasota, Florida metropolitan area and all over the country through eDesign.
I am hoping down the road to launch an online store selling vintage and new items specializing in Chinoiserie.
If you follow Chinoiserie Chic, you know I love all things Chinoiserie - ginger jars, blue and white Chinese porcelain, pagodas, and Chinoiserie wallpaper fill my home. Since moving to Florida, I have fallen for palm trees, seashells, and nautical blue and white stripes. I love so many styles from traditional to Coastal to mid century modern to modern, and all work with Chinoiserie Chic touches.
As you might imagine, many clients come to me with a love of Chinoiserie - some have wonderful antique and vintage pieces, often inherited, they would like to infuse with a fresh and modern vibe, others have traditional homes and would like to bring in modern Chinoiserie pieces. Here in Florida, clients are often looking to update and freshen Tuscan style homes as well as furniture and decor brought from their previous homes.
I would love to hear from you about your home projects:
Bethaconnolly@aol.com
703.623.4807
