Podcast Summary: Ep. 403 - Coastal Designs with Stephanie Mahaney

Podcast Information:

• Title: How to Decorate
• Host/Author: Ballard Designs
• Episode: Ep. 403: Coastal Designs with Stephanie Mahaney
• Release Date: March 4, 2025

1. Introduction to Stephanie Mahaney

The episode kicks off with hosts Caroline and Liz introducing their guest, Stephanie Mahaney, a renowned interior designer. Stephanie, after a successful tenure as the lead designer at Campbell Interiors, founded her own firm, Stephanie Ray Interiors, in 2014. Her expertise lies in bright, bold designs and large-scale renovation projects.

Stephanie Mahaney [00:25]: “Her work is bright and bold and useful, and her firm specializes in large scale renovation projects.”

2. Stephanie’s Journey into Interior Design

Stephanie shares her early inspirations drawn from her mother's passion for renovating homes despite her profession as a psychologist. Growing up in Bronxville, New York, moving through numerous homes ignited Stephanie's love for design.

Stephanie Mahaney [01:34]: “I remember just some of my core memories as a child are like looking at wood stains, picking out antiques, going to antique stores with my mom's decorator. I just, I loved it.”

Her pivotal internship at Campbell Interiors in her early twenties solidified her career path in interior design.

3. Designing for Coastal Environments: Florida vs. Maine

Operating in both Jupiter, Florida and Maine, Stephanie discusses the nuances of designing for these distinct coastal regions. She emphasizes the importance of considering seasonal changes, especially in Maine, where designs must accommodate both warm summers and chilly winters.

Stephanie Mahaney [06:03]: “If a house is truly just a seasonal summer house, that's one thing. But if the people either live in there all year round or if they come up, you know, maybe they come up for Christmas for Thanksgiving at different times of year, I really think you have to think about all four seasons.”

In Florida, Stephanie leverages her deep network to execute projects efficiently, whereas in Maine, she navigates a tighter real estate market and longer building timelines, often shifting focus towards development projects.

Stephanie Mahaney [10:08]: “In Maine, there's a huge shortage of houses, huge shortage of real estate. So people want to move to Maine, buy second homes in Maine and live on the coast, but they're finding that there's nothing available that's done, first of all.”

4. Starting a Design Project: Tips and Strategies

Stephanie provides invaluable advice for individuals embarking on new build projects. She stresses the significance of assembling a cohesive team from architects to builders and designers to avoid future conflicts.

Stephanie Mahaney [12:01]: “I think it's really important to look at builders in the area and talk to them about architects. You can go either way. Find your designer in the area and find builders and architects from there.”

She highlights the crucial role of clear communication and collaboration to ensure that the client's vision aligns seamlessly with the architectural and construction processes.

5. The Role of Collaboration: Designers, Builders, and Architects

Emphasizing teamwork, Stephanie discusses how designers, builders, and architects must collaborate closely to realize a project successfully. She advocates for transparency and prioritizing the client's needs over individual egos.

Stephanie Mahaney [13:15]: “It is a collaboration, and that's where the art of it all comes in. It is about the project and it is about the client.”

Her husband’s role as an owner’s representative further ensures that the client’s voice remains central throughout the project.

6. Designing for Second Homes and Seasonal Use

When designing for second or seasonal homes, Stephanie advises incorporating elements that evoke a vacation-like atmosphere. She encourages flexibility in design to accommodate different seasons and usage patterns.

Stephanie Mahaney [19:55]: “I think it's really important to bring in an element of fun. This is somewhere they're going for vacation. It's not somewhere where they're living. It's like when you walk into this space, how do you want to feel?”

Stephanie also emphasizes the importance of unique features such as wellness areas or outdoor amenities that enhance the vacation experience.

7. Embracing Trends and Personal Touches in Coastal Design

While maintaining timelessness, Stephanie incorporates current trends that add personality and longevity to her designs. She advocates for investing in real artwork to personalize spaces, moving away from transient trends.

Stephanie Mahaney [23:08]: “I'm really trying to push my clients towards real artwork because I don't want them to feel like they have to take their artwork off the walls in two or five years.”

Additionally, she highlights the importance of texture, color coordination, and the strategic use of patterns to create balanced and engaging spaces.

Stephanie Mahaney [31:09]: “I generally lean away from muddy colors in the paint chips and on the fabrics. I just don't love muddy colors, grays, that kind of thing.”

8. Listener Dilemma: Transforming a Dining Room

Listener Gabriella seeks advice on revamping her dining room, specifically her dining set and rug. Stephanie offers a comprehensive solution:

• Rug Replacement: Advocates for a larger, high-quality wool rug to enhance space perception and durability against spills.

  Stephanie Mahaney [44:15]: “I would definitely get a new rug. So something I learned early on, and I'm so grateful for, is that if your rug is too small for the space, it makes everything look small and, and out of place.”

• Dining Set Upgrade: Suggests a slightly larger table to accommodate more chairs and integrating textured, patterned chairs to add depth.

  Stephanie Mahaney [44:15]: “I think we could push to a 60-inch table and you could get six chairs in instead of four chairs.”

• Adding Artistic Elements: Recommends introducing artwork and decorative elements that complement the existing mural and paneling, ensuring the space feels cohesive yet dynamic.

Stephanie Mahaney [47:35]: “And I think she could get away with something taller on the dining room table. Maybe not for when you're sitting there eating, but something like beautiful and tall. Beautiful, tall vase. Yeah. Something collected.”

9. Spotlight on Stephanie’s Maine Barn Project

Stephanie elaborates on her latest project—a 7,000 square-foot barn in Maine designed as a versatile compound for multigenerational family use. The space features:

• Indoor-Outdoor Integration: Half of the barn serves as an adaptable area, suitable for activities like pickleball or hosting events, equipped with retractable doors and a massive fireplace.

  Stephanie Mahaney [38:36]: “It's sort of a 7,000 square feet. Half of it is an indoor outdoor space...and at the far end of that space is a gym space.”

• All-Season Usability: The barn includes a kitchen, family/game room, multiple bedrooms, and a thoughtfully designed A-frame bedroom that seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor views.

  Stephanie Mahaney [40:15]: “I made the headboard the height 4.4ft, and it's 4ft off where the floor meets the ceiling. And I made it long so that it didn't feel like there's a big, empty shadow space behind the bed.”

Her design philosophy focuses on flexibility, durability, and creating spaces that harmonize with natural surroundings while catering to practical family needs.

10. Conclusion and Contact Information

The episode wraps up with Stephanie sharing her contact details for listeners interested in her work.

Stephanie Mahaney [49:17]: “My website is just stephanierayinteriors.com and my Instagram is the same stephanierayinteriors, keeping it simple.”

Key Takeaways:

• Adaptability in Design: Tailoring designs to accommodate different climates and seasonal changes enhances functionality and aesthetic appeal.

• Collaborative Approach: Effective collaboration among designers, builders, and architects ensures cohesive and client-centered outcomes.

• Investment in Quality: Prioritizing quality elements like real artwork and durable textiles can add timeless value to spaces.

• Personalization: Incorporating personal touches and unique features makes spaces more inviting and reflective of individual lifestyles.

For more insights and decorating tips, visit howtodecorate.com or follow Ballard Designs on social media. Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review to share your feedback!