Rashon Carroway on home design and decor, thrift store finds, the magic of TV, and miracles on 34th Street.
Did you go to school for design and style or does this come naturally to you?
I did not go to school for design. All of this is from my heart to my head.
Who are your major influeces in the design industry if any?
I think the industry is full of amazing people. I am really drawn to the monochromatic scheme of Atmosphere Design and of course the timeless style of Ralph Lauren Home.
How would you classify your aesthetic?
My design aesthetic is certainly southern with a nod to urban sophistication.
How did you get the idea to incorporate used items into your designs?
When I was much younger, I started shopping at thrift stores for clothing. One day I decided to venture into the home furnishings portion of the store and was blown away. A lot of current items were in these stores just hidden among dated paint and hardware and I knew with just a little elbow grease these pieces would be amazing.
Where do you source your items from?
All over really. Any thrift store, Target Home Goods, any place that has amazing pieces.
What impact do the thrift items provide to a room?
Often times these pieces can be the focal point of the room. All that is needed is inspiration.
Does it impact the price of a design job significantly and if so by how much?
The price of the pieces honestly does not matter. My job as an interior stylist is to help my clients tell a story through furnishings. Often they know what they want to express, they just have a difficult time doing so.
What is the process from start to finish with a client?
Ill give the short version because actual design is very involved. I normally start with a two hour consultation. I like to hear what is on my clients mind. They hired me and I want to hear exactly why. Then we move to budgeting. Regardless of how tacky it is to bring it up, great style costs. So its important to help steer expectations into reality. A home in SouthPark may not have the same budget as a home in Myers Park, so we need to see where we fall in that. Then, its off to pull everything together in the most timely manner as possible. Finally, its time to enjoy it.
Does sourcing used items make the process more difficult to execute when trying to reach a customer’s desired look?
If the intent is to source everything second hand…yes. That can be near impossible with a client’s specification. So I encourage them to blend second hand and retail together to have a balanced look and an achievable look.
How does it make you feel personally when the clients design comes together flawlessly and they are happy?
Oh thats like a miracle on 34th Street! If a client gives me full range to design without boundaries then its possible. The reality is, its not. So, I must work to get to that moment with the rules that have been set in place.
Are there any spaces in the home you prefer to redesign or are you open to any design challenge?
I prefer the living room, dining room and bedroom, simply because these can be the quickest rooms to redo and these rooms are the ones that can give the client instant gratification.
What is the biggest challenge of your design process?
Budget. Because I have been known to create beautiful spaces for next to nothing, potential clients expect me to do that for them. I have to talk with them and explain to them that the TV has magical powers. 
What is the best moment for you during the design process?
The best moment for me is when the potential client turns into an actual client. That lets me know they have confidence in me and believe that I will create a beautiful space for them.
Where can our readers see some of your featured creations?
Most of my work is featured right on my website, but I have also been featured in Southern Living, Creative Loafing, Ebony Magazine, Charlotte Style and countless online blogs and other sources.
