Southern Home (SH): You grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and now live in Blacksburg, Virginia. Tell me about your background—did you always know you wanted to be an interior designer?
Edith-Anne Duncan (EAD): I grew up in a home that was professionally designed, which certainly shaped my appreciation for beautiful things. Every summer, my grandmother would take me to a Lilly Pulitzer store, and that’s where I first fell in love with color. I’ve always known I wanted to be an interior designer. As a child, I spent hours playing with my friend’s dollhouse, and in high school, I loved my drafting class. I initially thought I wanted to be an architect but ultimately shifted my focus to interior design.
SH: How would you describe your design philosophy, and how it has evolved throughout your career?
EAD: My philosophy centers on creating timeless interiors that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Over time, I’ve developed a love for everyday elegance, finding beauty in the simple tasks of living. Whether it’s using inherited sterling silver spoons to stir my coffee or repurposing a vintage mint julep cup to hold cotton swabs in the bathroom, I believe everything you touch should be beautiful.
SH: What’s the first thing you consider when approaching a new project or client?
EAD: Understanding how to achieve—and exceed—the lifestyle, comfort, and functionality the client desires.
SH: You’re known for your love of color. How do you determine whether a client is ready for bold choices or prefers a more subdued palette?
EAD: One of the first things I ask during our initial meeting is to see the client’s closet or dressing room. It immediately tells me whether they’re tailored or relaxed, love pattern or prefer solids, or gravitate toward neutrals layered with texture. I believe what you feel best wearing should translate into your home through color, pattern, and accessories.
SH: How do you help clients step outside their comfort zone and embrace bolder choices?
EAD: Trust is key. Clients hire our firm for our expertise, and they rely on us to know when to be bold and when to create quieter moments. We introduce them to new ways of using their spaces by first identifying what isn’t working and what’s missing. From there, we rework layouts and design solutions to better support their lifestyle.
SH: You’re constantly changing things in your own home. Do you see it as a laboratory for ideas?
EAD: Absolutely. Whether I’m testing a new paint product or upholstering a set of doors, I’d much rather experiment on my own home before introducing something new to a client.
SH: Where do you find inspiration, both within and beyond the design world?
EAD: Travel, fashion, editorial publications, and house tours. I also watch The Potted Boxwood several times a month—it’s such a wonderful source for beautiful home tours.
SH: How do you balance beauty, function, and a client’s lifestyle when designing a space?
EAD: Function always comes first. From there, I layer in sophistication through beautiful fabrics, rugs, and finishes, while carefully considering how the client lives day to day.
SH: Are there signature elements you find yourself returning to again and again?
EAD: I often mix florals, geometrics, solids, and stripes. That balance has become a signature of my work.
SH: Which current trends excite you, and which do you think we’ll soon leave behind?
EAD: I love seeing younger generations appreciate vintage silver, traditional decorative trims, and fabulous wallpaper. And I’m thrilled to say that gray interiors have officially left the building.
SH: What materials, finishes, or color palettes are you most drawn to right now?
EAD: Natural limestone and marble, lacquered walls paired with beautiful millwork, and rich chocolate browns and greens.
SH: Can you share a recent project that challenged you creatively or technically?
EAD: A recent home in Cashiers, North Carolina, challenged us creatively because the homeowner wanted to move in immediately. We had to source furnishings quickly, relying heavily on in-stock pieces and antiques. In the end, the layering and warmth felt just as special as one of our fully customized projects.
SH: How do you ensure a home feels collected and timeless rather than overly decorated?
EAD: I like to group collections together rather than scatter them throughout the house—it gives them more impact. Corral items on trays, edit every few months, and most importantly, buy what you truly love. That’s what creates a collected, timeless feeling.
SH: What role does craftsmanship and collaboration with artisans play in your work?
EAD: Collaboration is essential. When every craftsman and team member is trusted in their expertise and decision-making, the end result is always stronger.
SH: Do you have a favorite room to design?
EAD: Choosing a favorite room is like choosing a favorite child. Every home is different, but I’m especially drawn to spaces with interesting millwork, cabinetry, and beautiful natural light. I also love transforming unused spaces into areas where new hobbies and activities can flourish.
SH: What design mistake do you see most often, and how would you fix it?
EAD: Too many legs in a room—furniture with legs paired with leggy tables and lamps. I like to mix in skirted furniture and balance those pieces with chunky lamp bases to ground the space.
SH: Is there one piece every home should have?
EAD: An antique or vintage piece of furniture or art. It adds age, sophistication, and a sense of patina that new pieces alone can’t provide.
SH: What’s the most rewarding part of being an interior designer?
EAD: Creating a home that a client and their family truly love—one that exceeds their expectations. Seeing their pride in sharing and living in the space gives me an immense sense of fulfillment.
SH: Your new book, Southern Sensibility, celebrates beautiful projects and encourages readers to make everyday moments special. What’s next for you?
EAD: I enjoy speaking engagements and sharing what I’ve learned over the years. I’d love to continue speaking with women’s clubs, garden clubs, and on design panels. I’m also excited about collaborations with home furnishings manufacturers. I’m continuing to expand my custom case goods line as well as my rug collaboration with KES Collections.
Favorite color palette: Blue and white
Go-to paint color: Palladian Blue by Benjamin Moore
Favorite room in your home: The study
Current design obsession: A colorful lacquered tray
Trend you hope never returns: Gray interiors
Guilty pleasure splurge: Tommy Mitchell art and sculpture
Favorite flower to style with: Peony
Go-to cocktail: Hugo Spritz or Champagne
Best design advice you’ve received: Buy what you love, it will always work.
Music you like to work to: The Temptations or Chris Stapleton
Must-have at a photoshoot: A steamer
Design style in a phrase: Sophisticated Casual
Every Southern home should have: A sterling silver tray
