Stephanie Gamble is the interior designer behind the beautiful home renovation Taraji P. Henson gave her stepmother on the latest “My Houzz” episode. Below Stephanie shares more about the project, her design inspiration and her unique path to starting Stephanie Gamble Interiors.
What got you started in your career? My love for design started young. I always knew deep down that I wanted to pursue a career in the arts or design but wasn’t sure it was possible. Flash forward to my late twenties, I was using my degree in biology but was very unhappy. I decided to throw caution to the wind; I quit my job and started to write a business plan (all with a 6-month-old infant.) Approximately a year later I opened my showroom and slowly started to build my design business one client at a time.
Where’s the most unexpected place you’ve found inspiration? I remember the first time we took our kids to the National Aquarium in Baltimore. I was mesmerized and inspired by the natural colors and textures, especially the jellyfish. Their movement was ethereal and so serene, just watching them move was so relaxing. That is what I hope to do for my clients: provide them with a space that makes them feel calm and relaxed.
What is one of your designer secrets/tricks? Don’t forget about the 5th wall – the ceiling. A lot of people ignore the ceiling altogether which can be a big mistake. It should always be thoughtfully considered when designing a room. If you want the ceiling to have a big impact you can choose a really interesting wallpaper with a vibrant pattern or go more simplistic with a textured grasscloth.
What’s your favorite building or space in the world? The White House. The classic Federal-style architecture, the history, the symbolism, the gardens… I could stare at it for hours. I took a tour inside last summer and fell even more in love.
What is your favorite element in the space from this project? My favorite element has to be the wallpaper. It is a printed grasscloth, which added so much life and interest to the space. It also brought in a great amount of color which helped balance out the bold neutrals in the kitchen.
What was the biggest challenge during this project and how did you solve it? Providing ample seating for family gatherings was both a priority and a challenge with such a compact space. We tackled this by giving Angie two sofas along with two chairs flanking the fireplace. We added a bench that can be used for extra seating or serving and stools at the kitchen island which can easily be moved into the living area if needed.
When you’re not designing, where can you be found? I’m kind of a homebody, I love being with my family. A few years ago we purchased a historic stone home that was built in 1855. We have been lovingly restoring and decorating it, so of course, that’s where you’ll find me!