Want to love your home again? It is possible and doesn't have to cost a ton of money or time.
In today's episode, I chat with designer Alexis Koehler about the art of creating inviting spaces that speak to the soul and the secrets to making a house truly feel like home.
From the simple joy found in a beloved heirloom to creating a sanctuary that celebrates your unique life story, join us for this heart-to-heart on designing not just spaces, but a life well-lived.
Learn more about Alexis and Alexis Koehler Interiors.
Instagram: @alexis_koehler_interiors
Website: https://alexiskoehlerinteriors.ca/
SHAUNA GREY
www.simplifiedsavvy.com/
Instagram: @simplifiedsavvy & @thesavvyscooppod
YouTube: Simplified Savvy - The Savvy Scoop Podcast
Want to love your home again? It is possible and doesn't have to cost a ton of money or time.
In today's episode, I chat with designer Alexis Koehler about the art of creating inviting spaces that speak to the soul and the secrets to making a house truly feel like home.
From the simple joy found in a beloved heirloom to creating a sanctuary that celebrates your unique life story, join us for this heart-to-heart on designing not just spaces, but a life well-lived.
Learn more about Alexis and Alexis Koehler Interiors.
Instagram: @alexis_koehler_interiors
Website: https://alexiskoehlerinteriors.ca/
SHAUNA GREY
www.simplifiedsavvy.com/
Instagram: @simplifiedsavvy & @thesavvyscooppod
YouTube: Simplified Savvy - The Savvy Scoop Podcast
Welcome back to the Savvy Scoop podcast, where we give you the full scoop on all things living your best life. So if that's your jam, you're in the right place. New episodes drop every Wednesday for you to enjoy. As always, I'm your host, shawna Gray. If you're a fan of the show, I would so appreciate you rating and giving it a review wherever you listen, or you can also watch the show on YouTube Maybe you already are and you could subscribe there too, so you never miss an episode.
Speaker 1:On today's show we have a very special guest, my friend and designer, alexis Keeler. She is a dedicated sports mom to three active kids and is the principal designer and owner of Alexis Keeler Interiors, recently marking four years in business Yay, me too. The focus of her business is to design homes that are not only functional but provide her clients with a positive connection within their spaces. She does this through thoughtful and intentional interiors and paying attention to the smallest details. Her designs are classic, warm, textural and what she likes to refer to as warm, modern and classic, and I can attest to her impeccable design work and taste because she has done some beautiful design work in our home in a bunch of spaces our main room, our mudroom, powder room, kids rooms, and she's on tap for some more. So we won't be saying goodbye anytime soon, so let's start. Sorry, welcome, thank you, thanks for having me Sorry.
Speaker 1:I get on these tangents, and then I just keep going. So that's okay, so happy to have you and I'm loving this backdrop. I need to upgrade mine. Clearly, yours is so beautiful and mine is my curtains, so maybe I need to get you in the bedroom and not, oh God, not like that in my bedroom to design it. It's not that kind of service. This is not that kind of podcast. Oh, my goodness, I mean to design my bedroom.
Speaker 2:No problem, okay.
Speaker 1:Let's move on from there and talk about you. How did you get here, what were you doing before you started your business? And tell us, tell us the story.
Speaker 2:Oh, my God. Well, first of all, congratulations to you as well on four years. Like I feel like four years seems like a long time, but it flew by and you know so much has happened.
Speaker 1:So congrats to you too, Thank you Feels like an eternity and not that long.
Speaker 2:At the same time, I know, I know and everyone said, oh, the first five years of business so much learning, so much growing and I'm like I feel like I'm just getting started like with, with really getting a grasp on what running a business feels like, totally when it becomes like that well-oiled machine, anyway. So, question how did I get started? Okay, so I mean no secret. On social media. I'm very open about the fact that I used to be a nurse. It was also really I wouldn't say a passion of mine per se, but felt like the right path at the time. I've always loved helping people and so I got into the medical field, obviously with a design or a passion for design.
Speaker 2:Still, my mom jokes around about this time that I came running home and I was like you need to help me get this chair off someone's lawn. They're throwing it out and it's velvet and it was like this avocado green color and she says what are you going to do with it? And I was like I'm going to put it in my room, I'm going to create like a little living area and just do me. And I've kind of always been like that and always had an eye for you know, just making a space feel like home. If that doesn't sound too cheesy, I love that, yeah. And then I went back to school. After I had my three kids and they were old enough, I said to my husband now it's time to do me and what I really want to do. And so I went to design school and started my business right away. Like just hauled ass. And here we are, like us moms do.
Speaker 1:Yes, yes. Right and it's so funny because literally every woman that I have interviewed on this podcast I think all of them have started their business like while their kid was on a mat, while they were on a mat leave with their child, or after their kids grew up a bit. I don't know what it is about this timing for us, if it's like we want to show our kids something or we're like, okay, we've put so much into other people, it's really time for us now.
Speaker 1:And yeah rediscover what we want, because I mean let's I mean, I think about this all the time like we're asked to decide what we want to be when we grow up, when we're 18 years old. Who knows what that like? How can you really, at 18, pick a path for the rest of your life?
Speaker 1:And so I think that's why we're seeing such a rise in entrepreneurs and females really going after their dreams, because I mean, I couldn't have planned to do this when I was 18, but it's come about now and it's pretty cool and fun.
Speaker 2:So, yeah, I think it comes from experience. I don't want to say, you know, at 43 years old. I don't want to say life experience, but life experience, you know, it's like you said you don't know what that path is going to look like. You pick a career that you, you know, you feel is going to fulfill you, and then you realize that I mean, what really fulfills me is my family and my kids. So obviously that was the next step for me. But then it was like this, this lingering urge inside me, and I read this quote and I can't say it word for word, but it was basically like the things that excite you are not random.
Speaker 2:They are part of your path and your journey, so just follow them. And I was like, yeah, okay, my kids are at an age now they don't need me as much, so it's time to do this. And yeah, I haven't looked back and it's been a crazy ride.
Speaker 1:So far and you've had huge success. In four years, I mean, you were just in a really big magazine.
Speaker 2:I was, I was. I had a nice little spread in Style at Home magazine, which was huge.
Speaker 1:It was not little.
Speaker 2:Don't downplay it. We got 12 pages. Yes, we did beautiful home I did build on 24. It was two years in the making and and it was captured beautifully by a good friend of mine, patrick Biller, who's an amazing photographer, and we pitched it and and, yeah, it's, it was. It was really a pivotal moment in my career and I I'm so thankful for it.
Speaker 1:So really a pivotal moment in my career and I I'm so thankful for it.
Speaker 2:So that's incredible. I mean a 12 page spread, and it was the October issue of Style at.
Speaker 1:Home, is that right? 2023. Yeah, so I mean within the first four years of your business. You did that. I mean that's just crazy.
Speaker 2:So you know, it's kind of pinched me moment. Really it's amazing.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's hard work, hard work, just getting started, so imagine where you're going to be.
Speaker 2:I hope so. I hope so. I think when you love what you do, it speaks volumes of how it manifests and you just think positively, work hard and it will come. So thank you for pointing that out. I'm excited. I was excited about it. I still am.
Speaker 1:Good. You should be pointing that out. I'm excited. I was excited about it. I still am Good. You should be Okay. So let's help some people out For everyone listening who is just feeling bored and uninspired with the current state of their home because, like, let's face it, we're all at home a lot more, even if we're out and about. Like you know, a lot of us are still working from home and we're just home more so, or like the time of our life. I mean, we're in our. A lot of people listening are in their like thirties, forties. We've got kids, we're not going out all the time, we're home, but we might not have the time or the budget for a major project. So what are some simple things that we can do to reinvigorate and love our homes again?
Speaker 2:I think that it's a loaded question but it can be simplified One of just feeling overstimulated by if we have so much stuff or stuff that we don't even really use anymore or particularly love. Yeah, you know I'm not saying go throw everything out, but just you know, go through your stuff and what I tell clients too, like they're making your own mood board. You don't necessarily need a designer for that. Making your own mood board, you don't necessarily need a designer for that. Like magazine clippings. You know, make a Pinterest board and sort of just see. Sometimes I say to my clients to go through Pinterest and the things you save, go through them and see where the commonalities lie.
Speaker 2:Like, are you constantly picking something with you know a really beautiful creamy paint color? Are you picking something that you know the pillows are more patterned? Or you know what is driving you to keep choosing the same? You know images over and over and that generally tends to give a good idea of what your personal style is. Personal style is.
Speaker 2:And then you know, come up with a color palette. You know you know warm woods, I always like a little hint of black. But you know like if you like blues and greens, like three colors that have a dominant one and sort of play around with it. From there, I think, having a color palette and then really, really kind of gives you that continuity from room to room and the flow from your home. So, those little moments decluttering paint color, like I said actually I don't even know if I said that, but paint color is one of them it's always a cheap, cheaper solution and it goes a long way. So, yeah, just really just reviewing your space and what you feel you want out of your space can go a long way.
Speaker 1:I love that and as somebody who I mean I don't know if you know this, but I did train as a professional organizer so I love a good declutter situation because, honestly, you will feel you could like, just from getting rid of some stuff, you might love your space again.
Speaker 2:Just absolutely clearing some crap, so I always, and all of a sudden, then there's yeah, there's, there's space in the in in the room, and now you're like, oh, maybe I want that accent chair over there and and you know, like moving stuff around is is always fun and and sometimes I sketch it out like just on a piece of paper and just see what that kind of looks like. So there's many ways, but definitely those would be my top pieces of effects. I love that.
Speaker 1:Well, because people, I think I mean we do fall in love with the same certain design aesthetic. So if you could figure out, what that?
Speaker 1:is, and then you can try and play around. I was just like after you did our lovely built-ins and I was styling them, I literally took some pictures of things that I liked and tried to recreate not the exact things, but the levels and the colors from the things that I had in the pictures and I was able to create. I mean I thought I like it, so I'm happy with it.
Speaker 1:So I mean other people might not think it looks great, but I think it looks good, so I think that's part of it too is like you have to love it it doesn't really matter if what anyone else thinks, and just because the trend is this right now doesn't mean you have to follow that trend Right.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and I think we get caught up on too, because social media is so powerful and you know we see oh, my house doesn't look like that and you know I really want it to. So then you run out and you try and recreate what you're seeing in these magazines or on social media and you know it never really makes us truly happy, I think. Think for too long. So definitely following your gut, uh, is is number one. You know, if, if, if you feel comfortable and you feel calm and like that the room feels good, then then nothing else matters really, yeah.
Speaker 1:I love that and, on that note, actually are there any design trends that you're loving or hating right now?
Speaker 2:any design trends that you're loving or hating right now. Ooh, that's a good one too. So so I mean, what's you're seeing a lot of right now? You know a lot of vintage, a lot of like secondhand antiques, things coming into play that way, and I think there's a really big pull towards, you know, like conscious consumption these days. And that really goes back to what I'm talking about when, with that decluttering, because we want the things in our homes to make us happy, but we want them to have meaning right, I think that when you walk through your home and you see that you know that vase that might have been your grandma's, or you know something you found in a vintage shop that really spoke to you, I think that is going a long way with with trends, right now.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I love that because it's I finding people are very nostalgic too right now. So things like you said, vintage things, things that remind us of things that our grandparents had had or our parents had when we were kids. Like, my in-laws have this mug that is a Christmas Disney mug and I think it's from I think it was like a McDonald's mug at some point. Anyways, it's Disney, it's like Christmasy and it is so like eighties. But I literally have said to them please can I have this whenever you go, because it just reminds me of my childhood and like the coziness of Christmas. And I don't know it's such a weird thing, but they're like sure it's such an odd thing, but it really does. Every time I'm there I drink my coffee out of it and I just love it. For whatever reason, it really speaks to me. So I love this new trend of like getting like not everything being brand new.
Speaker 2:Yeah, absolutely, and I think that you know part of the way I've loved to design is incorporating a little bit of both, and I think it's really important to incorporate a little bit of both, whether that be something new that you buy, that you love, but also having old pieces and that can stand for furniture too, like hand-me-downs or something you picked up at an antique market. All of a sudden, something in your home tells a story. It's the best.
Speaker 1:It is. I love that.
Speaker 2:And it's going back to that green avocado chair that I made my mom pick up when I was like 13. I'm like it was somebody's, but I did not care. I was like this is going to enhance my room, it's going to make me feel like so good, so imagine having a whole house a fancy velvet. Imagine having a whole house that makes you feel that way.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, I love that, yeah, so, okay, where are your favorite? You've talked about some like antique markets and vintage shops, things like that. What are your favorite places to find decor items?
Speaker 2:I mean it depends. I mean, do you mean personally or for my clients, per se, or a little?
Speaker 1:bit of both.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I mean, like you said, I've always been into looking for pieces that are meaningful, so I do tend to go to quite a few antique markets when I can. But a lot of vendors now have options for one-of-a-kind pieces that they've found and they're actually on their websites. They're under like a found section. So you get these beautiful one of a kind pieces. Rug and weave is one of, you know, my go-tos. They've got these gorgeous handmade pillows and they've got a lot of really beautiful pieces there too.
Speaker 2:But I shop around everywhere, like I. You know, I go to some of the big box stores Crate and Barrel, things like that. It depends on really what speaks to me at the time, what the client is looking for. I often actually shop within the client's home too, like when we do our measure day, which is a really exciting day, where we go in and we measure up any existing furniture they have and pieces that they're going to use in the project when it's finished. And sometimes I find stuff and they're like oh, I didn't even realize that would look so good, you know going forward. So I, I shop in my client's home. So you know, it just depends. But, um, there's lots out there and it could be overwhelming. So, like I said, going on picking out magazines and clippings from magazines help too, because they often, you know, tell you where certain things are from. Yeah, so just make a list and go through and once you're done with your, your mood boards and your color palettes, then you can sort of weave those in, weave those pieces in.
Speaker 1:And it's a good excuse for maybe, like a home sense coffee Saturday morning date with yourself right, yes, yes, yes, I always tell.
Speaker 2:I said to a client recently she's she's a Saturday morning date with yourself, right? Yes, yes, yes, I always tell. I said to a client recently she's a Saturday morning home sense coffee person and I said, okay, just don't go overboard, because then we're sort of jumping back into that zone where it's like we have all this stuff, we don't know where to put it and it doesn't necessarily have meaning. And I think our homes need to have meaning. So I really try to push my clients I don't know if push is the right word, but I do try to guide them into sort of a thought process of where, when our eye flows around the room, let it land on something that resonates with you. So not that I'm not saying don't go to home since with your coffee, but really think about that meaningful design.
Speaker 1:Be mindful about what you choose.
Speaker 2:Yes, yes, yes, does it speak to you? Yeah, I love that.
Speaker 1:At what point would you suggest that we stop doing things like shopping at HomeSense by ourselves and going it alone and just hire a designer? And in the sea of designers out there, how do you know which one is going to be the best fit?
Speaker 2:Okay. So my answer to when to hire a designer is right away, obviously, when you're at the point of frustration service and they're expensive, and they're only going to come in and tell me what my house needs and those couldn't be further from the truth. I mean the luxury service. It is in a sense that you know there are price points for things. There are. You know the designer will come, we will come into your home and sort of give you an idea of what needs to be done, but it's going to, in the long run, save you so much time and money and stress because it's going to be done right.
Speaker 2:And hiring a designer is, I always tell my clients we are bonded, we are forming this relationship. I'm getting to know you on a level that's very personal Because I mean most design projects take quite a bit of time. Like a new build can be anywhere from two to three years. I mean the home, the work we did in your home was was about a year from beginning stages to execution. And I think that you know we have these relationships with our clients that are really special. So it's not just hiring a designer and having someone come in and, you know, put their spin on things. I think that's what some people think.
Speaker 1:They're just going to come in and be like judging my home and thinking my house is ugly and of course everything needs to be fixed, and they're just going to tell me I need to spend $500,000 and start again.
Speaker 2:You know thinking about a designer do your homework and I know that was one of your questions where to find and how do you know who to source?
Speaker 2:And I think, with social media again and portfolios like, there's so much content out there for each designer and you can look up and most of the time, my clients say you know, I found you on Instagram and I loved your work. It really spoke to me. I, I like the aesthetic and that's really what ends up happening. If there's somebody out there that loves modern lacquer cabinets and chrome and those types of finishes, then maybe I'm not the designer for you per se, but there is somebody out there and doing your research and doing your homework and reaching out. Most designers have an inquiry on their website or somewhere to get in contact. So I think that taking that next step, it feels good. You know, it's like okay, let's get the ball rolling, I don't have to commit the second, I speak to somebody and thus that relationship develops and it's definitely worth thinking about because I mean, you know, how much better do you feel now?
Speaker 1:Well, that's what I was going to say, because you know we never would have. I had a vision and I had had this vision for my main room since we moved in and we've moved in almost 10 years ago and I just knew that I wanted these built-ins, I wanted the TV and I wanted a fireplace, but I also, like we spend all of our time in there.
Speaker 1:So I wanted to make sure that it was done right, and I can honestly say that it was because, remember, I messaged you at Christmas time and I was like the vision has come to life. All I wanted was the fire on and the stockings hanging on the mantle, and it happened.
Speaker 1:And it was just the best feeling and I was just like this, is it? I'm so happy here every day and so, yeah, I mean, could we have eventually figured that out ourselves? I mean maybe, but would it have turned out as amazing as it has?
Speaker 1:And again, if it's a space, especially a space that you use all the time, it's so important to get it right Because, like you said, you will save yourself time, money and frustration down the line by making sure that like a professional, like gets it right, someone who gets your aesthetic and whatever.
Speaker 2:Yes, absolutely.
Speaker 1:It's perfect. It's exactly how I envisioned, exactly what I wanted, and I literally feel joy sitting there every day, turn on the fire and I'm like this is it. It's my happy place, so that makes me feel so happy. At the beginning, I was like I miss you. When are you like can we need to do a new design project, cause I want you back? So it is such a relationship, so finding the right fit is important. But, definitely hiring a designer. I mean, I think for sure is the way to go.
Speaker 2:Absolutely, and there's perks to hiring a designer too. There's trade perks.
Speaker 1:Absolutely.
Speaker 2:There's a couple of discounts here and there, that couch you love, all of a sudden it's not full price anymore. So I think that there are definitely definitely more pros than cons to hiring a designer, the right designer. If you hire the right designer, the right designer, yeah it's, it's a full blown relationship, that's for sure.
Speaker 1:And they make. I mean, you made me think of things that I never would have thought of, like I would have. You know, even styling our couch I would have put, gotten three of the same color of pillows, like three, I don't know whatever. Yeah, three green pillows, put them on and been like okay. But then you bought these like mixy, matchy, patterny pillows that I never would have thought went together and I freaking love them and I'm obsessed with them. But I never would have thought to put those combinations together, I never would have bought them and it just makes it like just that much better. You know, and remember the powder room. I mean I was like okay, so just you know, painted the white and you're like, how about wallpaper? And I was like wallpaper, but I mean it and it's incredible. So just like things that you don't think about. That just takes it even to that next level and you just fall in love with it even more you know, yeah, and I think you know.
Speaker 2:I think that you know you can go to school for design and you can learn, you know all the principles, but there's an, there's an art, there's an eye to it for sure, and and that's that's the bonus like walking into a space and telling your clients you need crazy floral wallpaper instead of paint, and then all of a sudden you know that's the main bathroom everyone uses because it's so pretty. So trust the process.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yes, trust the process. I love that. Yeah, okay. So to finish this off, I have a few quick answer questions that I like to ask each guest. So the first one is what's one thing you do every day, or most days, that helps you to live your best life?
Speaker 2:Oh my God, with three kids and the craziest hockey schedules, I don't even know if I take time to make my life. You know what my morning cup of?
Speaker 1:tea. That's what I thought you were going to say.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, that's it. I go to bed at night and I think about that first sip of tea in the morning, so that sets my day off.
Speaker 1:Love that. Yep, I thought you. I was like, oh, if she doesn't say it, I'm going to say I think it's your tea. Yeah, yeah, I love that. You know that. Um, what's your favorite quote?
Speaker 2:Favorite quote oh oh, there's so many probably. Oh god, okay, so I'm gonna be like wear my mom hat right now, because I say it to my kids all the time. Uh, obviously the great one, wayne Gretzky says like you miss a hundred percent of the shots you don't take. So I use that with my kids all the time, but I use it in my business too. So things that make me nervous or I'm fearful to take a next step, I'm like well, what happens if I don't?
Speaker 1:So that's my favorite quote I love that and so Canadian of you, so it makes me so happy.
Speaker 2:Right. I love it Okay, best advice you've ever been given, or advice you would give to your younger self, oh my goodness, that is Okay, best advice you've ever been given, or advice you would give to your younger self oh my goodness, that is crazy. Don't sweat the small stuff. Yeah, because it's just small stuff and you know we can all be hard on ourselves and you know sometimes that's a driving force for success. But you know, just talk nicely to yourself, because it's hard work it is.
Speaker 1:It's hard work being a human existing right now.
Speaker 2:It's hard. Humaneness is hard work. So be nice to yourself and you know it's going to come. It's all going to come.
Speaker 1:That is so good. Yes, we should all be nicer to ourselves. That's a good one, okay, well, thank you so much for being here. How can?
Speaker 2:people work with you right now, where can they find?
Speaker 1:you Tell us everything.
Speaker 2:Well, I mean, if you want to see work, you can obviously go to my Instagram account, which is just Alexis underscore Keeler underscore interiors, my website, wwwalexiskeelerinteriorscom, and there's an inquiry form to be filled out and we will be in touch, and we want to hear all about your projects, obviously, and yeah, okay, that's how you can find me Perfect.
Speaker 1:And I'll have all of that in the show notes and I'm going to be like I said or maybe I didn't say, I don't know, I forget what I say sometimes I am going to be sharing the before and afters on my Instagram.
Speaker 1:So, yeah, so you should definitely be following me Simplified Savvy and check out the before and afters that I'm going to be sharing, because I mean, you'll be blown away from what I've shared in stories. When we first did it, people didn't even think it was the same room. They're like what am I looking at? What's happening? So, yeah, and then, once you check that out, you'll get a really good feel for her design. Go to the show notes and give her a follow too. She is amazing. Thank you so much for being here. I so, so appreciate it.
Speaker 2:Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 1:It was so much fun. Of course, it was the best. Thank you to everyone for listening and I will see you next time.