We’re back with a new guest tastemaker for some quick-fire questions and a mini-curation of some fab Chairish finds!
Today we are chatting with Killy Scheer of Scheer & Co. Killy founded the Austin-based firm in 2013 after working under the tutelage of design mavins Jonathan Adler and Fawn Gall. While the firm takes on projects nationwide, Killy has a soft spot for Austin’s particular interior design sensibilities, which she describes as “effortlessly chic.” The influence of travel and the laid-back rock and roll vibe that is present in many Austin homes calls back to her own design ethos that spaces should feel both familiar and elegant, yet playful.
Read on to find out how her wedding decor has influenced her home aesthetic, and which design icons – historical and contemporary – inspire her on the regular.
What is the most outstanding design element you’ve ever incorporated into a space?
The most memorable piece I ever incorporated was a high-end stripper pole and platform I designed with my former employer for one of our projects…But that’s a story for another time.
What is the coolest vintage piece in your house? What makes it the coolest?
On a sentimental level, my favorite vintage piece is a mirror I inherited from my maternal grandmother. It’s a beautiful gilded, carved wood number that makes me think of her and feel close to her whenever I walk past it.
Who is your ultimate style icon?
I’m all over the map when it comes to style icons and sources of inspiration, but here’s the short list:
Elsie de Wolfe: It is said Elsie de Wolfe invented interior design as a profession – need I say more? Not only was she a successful entrepreneur at a time when women weren’t often running businesses, but she dusted off the dark ornate Victorian decor that was popular at the time, and introduced lighter simpler styles, and uncluttered room layouts. A decorating pioneer woman. What’s not to love?
Eileen Gray: Another pioneer, Eileen Gray carved out her own place in the male-dominated world of Modernism (and design on the whole). Following a successful run as a furniture designer, she designed and built (without any formal training) an iconic modernist villa on a cliff in Cap-Martin.
Miles Redd: Miles Redd was my first designer crush, and my love for his work has never faded. He’s a mixmaster when it comes to combining traditional design with bold, colorful gestures. His fearlessness is so inspiring.
Jessica Helgerson: Jessica Helgerson Interior Design was an Instagram discovery for me. I admire her work, which always allows for creative discovery, depth, and thoughtful detail.
Do you collect anything? What sparked your interest in collecting that item?
I have a pretty significant milk glass collection that has followed me from New York to every residence in Austin. I began collecting unique milk glass pieces in 2008 to be used as centerpieces for my first wedding – thinking I would sell off the collection afterward. I got completely attached, and since haven’t been able to let them go. The different pieces are sprinkled throughout my home, and office. We even use them when styling project photoshoots.
What’s a current design trend that you hope doesn’t exist in 100 years, and why?
This one is easy. And thankfully, I already see it starting to move on: Modern Farmhouse. Neither authentically modern, nor farmhouse; I will not miss this trend at all. It’s become a fallback for so many developers and designers who are building them cheaply and with little thought. Quality-wise, these structures are not built to last. Homes and condos are being churned out with little regard for longevity, so not only do I not see the style aging well, but I think we’re going to be in for a lot of repairs in the not-so-distant future.
Headshot Image Courtesy of Scheer & Co.