Anna Applegate
Interior decorator & mom
WHO DO YOU LIVE WITH | My husband, Ryan, and our 3 boys: Rob, James & Rence
DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE IN 3 WORDS | Colorful, eclectic, comfortable
WHAT DO YOU COLLECT | vintage linens, design books
FAVORITE PLACES TO SCORE FINDS FOR YOUR HOME | Union Camp Collective and Hunt & Gather in Raleigh; also, estate sales, auctions & Chairish.
ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’D GIVE AN ASPIRING ENTREPRENEUR | Be true to yourself & listen to your gut.
WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU’VE LEARNED THIS YEAR | That it’s okay to say no sometimes.
DREAM DINNER PARTY GUESTS | Michelle Obama & Theo Pinson
WHAT DO YOU BRING WITH YOU EVERYWHERE YOU GO | A tape measure & my paper calendar
YOU’VE DONE SUCH A FANTASTIC JOB AT MAKING YOUR HOME FEEL SPECIAL – WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR TRICKS | I think it’s important to start with good basics (i.e. the right size rug, well-made upholstery, good lighting, pretty fabrics) and then add in unique pieces and things that reflect who actually lives there; so I’ve got lots of my boys’ artwork and special family pictures on display, alongside pieces of art and furniture that I’ve collected over the years and some random estate sale finds that just make me happy.
FAVORITE COCKTAIL | margarita, no salt
NECESSARY EXTRAVAGANCE / SIMPLE INDULGENCE | Great lamps / take-out dinner every Friday night
WHERE IS THE LAST PLACE YOU TRAVELED | Atlantic Beach
WHAT DID YOU BRING BACK | pretty seashells & an itch for summer
FOOL PROOF DINNER PARTY TIP | serving anything that can be made ahead so that I can really enjoy being with my guests.
FAVORITE HOTEL | St. Regis Punta Mita, Mexico
THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME | Kenya
YOUR FAVORITE 3 THINGS IN YOUR HOUSE | My black chinoiserie living room curtains (I bought the vintage fabric on our first anniversary trip), the brass bed in our guest room that was my great-grandmother’s, and the lavender grasscloth wallpaper in my foyer (as the only female in this house, it’s nice to have a touch of femininity here and there).
COLOR I NEVER TIRE OF | Green
STYLE ICON(S) | Barrie Benson (incredibly talented Charlotte-based interior designer)
TWO THINGS YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB | Getting to see pieces/rooms/houses transform & developing relationships with my clients and their families.
BEST CONCERT YOU’VE EVER BENN TO | Garth Brooks at the Dean Dome
FAVORITE SONG TO DANCE TO | September by Earth, Wind & Fire
INDISPENSABLE DESIGN ELEMENT | great lighting fixtures
SONG/ALBUM/STATION THAT ALWAYS PUTS ME IN A GREAT MOOD | Sweet Caroline
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PERFECT WEEKEND | At the beach with my family, spending the day on the boat & on the sandbar. Also included: good food/drinks/books/friends.
WHAT DO YOU DO FIRST THING AFTER YOU WAKE UP | Tip-toe downstairs so I don’t wake anyone else up and enjoy about 30 minutes of coffee & quiet time before the crazy morning routine commences.
NETFLIX OBSESSION | The Crown & old seasons of New Girl and Parks and Rec
WHAT CAN YOU NOT STOP THINKING ABOUT | my to-do list
IMPROMPTU TALENT SHOW – HOW DO YOU WIN | oh my gosh, I don’t, I’m hiding in the corner because I’m an introvert and talent shows are my nightmare.
FAVORITE RESTAURANT | Centro, Bella Monica, Tazza
WHAT SMELL DO YOU LOVE | gardenias; onions cooking in oil; salt air.
FAVORITE PIECE OF CLOTHING RIGHT NOW | madewell cali demi-boot jeans
FAVORITE PLACE TO BUY CLOTHES | The Real Real, Anthropologie
WHAT SURPRISES YOU ABOUT RALEIGH | The growth! I grew up here and I’m constantly amazed by how the city has evolved.
FAVE FLOWER | Hydrangea
FAVORITE PLACE TO GET COFFEE IN RALEIGH | Yellow Dog
WHAT’S REALLY IMPORTANT TO YOU RIGHT NOW | faith and family, always.
WHAT’S ALWAYS IN YOUR REFRIGERATOR | orange juice, milk, cheese & coffee creamer
BOOK YOU’RE READING RIGHT NOW | Tattoos on the Heart by Gregory Boyle
FAVORITE SONG RIGHT NOW | My Burden with Me by Mipso
A BOOK YOU’VE READ MORE THAN ONCE | The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis; our boys love us to read these again and again.
HOW DO YOU UNWIND | pulling weeds in my yard
WHAT WOULD YOU SAVE IN A FIRE | Portraits of my boys
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