Rachel Blindauer
Rachel Blindauer Wins Emerging Professional Design Excellence Award

Rachel Blindauer Wins Emerging Professional Design Excellence Award

by | Jul 27, 2020 | Interior Design, Updates

We are beyond honored for Rachel Blindauer Interior Design to have been chosen as the Best Emerging Professional by American Society of Interior Designers – California North!

BEST EMERGING PROFESSIONAL

1st Place

Designer: Rachel Blindauer

About ASID California North

ASID is a community of people driven by a common love for design and committed to the belief that interior design, as a service to people, is a powerful, multi-faceted profession that can positively change people’s lives. Through education, knowledge sharing, advocacy, community building and outreach, the Society strives to advance the interior design profession and, in the process, to demonstrate and celebrate the power of design to positively change people’s lives. Its more than 30,000 members engage in a variety of professional programs and activities through a network of 48 chapters throughout the United States and Canada.

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Take the first step towards creating your dream space. If you are a couple with multiple homes looking for a decorator near you, a hotelier doing a redesign, or a developer looking for top-notch interior design services near you, Rachel Blindauer and her team are here to bring your vision to life. With our wealth of experience and expertise, we can create stunning and functional spaces that exceed your expectations and bring you to a new height of design and sophistication.

2 Hour Interior Design Virtual or In Person Consultation

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

THE PIECES RACHEL RETURNS TO, AGAIN AND AGAIN

Elevated Living Starts At Our Shop
Rachel Blindauer Interior Design in the Top 20 Interior Designers in SF

Rachel Blindauer Interior Design in the Top 20 Interior Designers in SF

by | Jul 27, 2020 | Interior Design, Updates

THEY SCORED 194 INTERIOR DESIGNERS IN SAN FRANCISCO AND WE ENDED UP ON TOP!

Why choose this provider?

Rachel Blindauer is a San Francisco full-service interior designer. Rachel has run her practice for the past 12 years, and in the past she designed for Williams-Sonoma. Her interior design portfolio has been featured at the St. Etienne Designer Biennial in France. She has also been recognized with the Emerging Professional Design Excellence Award and twice awarded the Best of Houzz for Customer Service.

Thank you Expertise! Click here to see the competition.

RachelBlindauerInteriorDesign
2 Hour Interior Design Virtual or In Person Consultation

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

THE PIECES RACHEL RETURNS TO, AGAIN AND AGAIN

Elevated Living Starts At Our Shop
Rachel Blindauer in California Homes Magazine

Rachel Blindauer in California Homes Magazine

by | Jul 27, 2020 | Interior Design

Featured in California Homes Magazine: A Rachel Blindauer Design in Print

It’s one thing to design a space that lives beautifully. It’s another to see that vision celebrated in print.

californiahomes

We’re honored to share that one of our projects has been featured in the latest issue of California Homes Magazine—a publication known for spotlighting timeless design, architectural excellence, and the creative forces shaping the West Coast aesthetic.

This issue highlights interior spaces that feel as layered as they are lived-in, and our featured project is no exception: a thoughtfully designed home where color, layout, and natural light come together in quiet harmony. If you’ve followed our work from Sarasota to San Francisco, you know we believe design should feel as good as it looks.

Why This Feature Matters

For our clients and readers looking to bring editorial-level polish into their own homes—this feature is more than a press moment. It’s confirmation that thoughtful design transcends location. Whether you live in a beachside bungalow or a midwestern Tudor, the principles behind great interiors remain the same: balance, emotion, artistry, and restraint.

This recognition underscores Rachel’s commitment to creating interiors that are not only photogenic—but also deeply personal and intentionally livable.

Want the Look?

We’ve linked a few of the featured design elements from the project in our shop, and if you’re curious about how to bring this level of refinement into your own space, consider booking a 2-Hour Consultation. Whether you need help curating a palette or rethinking a room’s layout, you’ll leave with clarity—and a designer’s eye on your home.

More Than a Magazine Feature

Rachel’s work has been shaped by over 15 years of experience across coasts, climates, and client personalities. Being featured in California Homes is a milestone—but the heart of this studio is still the same: crafting spaces that function effortlessly and feel extraordinary.

Thank you to California Homes for spotlighting our work. And thank you to our clients, who trust us to design the spaces they live, love, and grow in.

2 Hour Interior Design Consultation

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

THE PIECES RACHEL RETURNS TO, AGAIN AND AGAIN

Elevated Living Starts At Our Shop
Where Designers Really Shop: Rachel Blindauer’s Favorite Sources for Artisan Home Furnishings

Where Designers Really Shop: Rachel Blindauer’s Favorite Sources for Artisan Home Furnishings

by | Jul 13, 2020 | Interior Design, Products

Design is never just about how a space looks. It’s about how it feels—how it moves, breathes, and quietly reflects the life inside it. But even the most refined design ideas need the right materials to take form. In my work as an interior designer in Sarasota, Nantucket, and Lincoln, sourcing isn’t just a task—it’s a curatorial act. I’m constantly searching for pieces that aren’t just beautiful, but deeply made. Pieces that bring heritage, story, and craftsmanship into the home. Below, I’ve gathered a collection of my most trusted sources—brands I return to again and again when designing thoughtful, elevated interiors.

ARTEMEST

Home of luxury Italian handicrafts, Artemest is an online store with a difference. Founded by jewelry designer Ippolita Rostagno and Marco Credendino, Artemest offers the best in handcrafted Italian designs, created by artisans practicing traditional arts and crafts across the country. Products on Artemest are unique, each having a history of its own. The items are also made to last, having been made with high quality materials and crafted with care. Artisans and workshops are selected for the quality of their furniture and decor products, and buyers are able to view the stories behind each of the pieces, adding a personal touch to the process. Many of the pieces can also be customized, creating a connection between the artisans and the buyers. Iconic Italian designs, along with modern and contemporary objects, are all part of the curated collection at Artemest. When searching for exclusive and tailored products in Sarasota for interior decoration, Artemest is always my first choice.

visual comfort

VISUAL COMFORT

Visual Comfort is a key concept of lighting, so it is no surprise that the brand named after it is a master in the trade. Established in 1987 in Houston, Texas, Visual Comfort has collaborated with design titans like Ralph Lauren and Kelly Wearstler among others to produce signature lighting collections. Each of these collaborations reflect on the ideals and style of the designers to create unique and stunning pieces. The Parkwood Medium Table Lamp and Ellery Bow Sconce showcase the whimsical, chic style of Kate Spade, while the Ori Wall Sconce and Strada Pendants demonstrate Kelly Wearstler’s love for the opulence of Art Deco and the boldness of Maximalism.

APPARATUS STUDIO

Founded by Gabriel Hendifar and Jeremy Anderson, Apparatus Studio began as a luxury lighting brand, and caters today to furniture and home decor along with lighting. Designs by Apparatus Studio are unusual and alluring, taking inspiration from their surroundings and different cultures. The studio reimagines these experiences into lighting and home objects that add glamour to any space. The contemporary chic Trapeze lighting collection draws inspiration from the circus trapeze, while the Pars furniture collection is influenced by nomadic tray tables commonly found across the Middle East. These designs are further enhanced by materials like aged brass, porcelain, suede and marble that add a unique look and style to the designs.

visual comfort
visual comfort

LADIES & GENTLEMEN STUDIO

With a quirky minimalist aesthetic, Ladies and Gentlemen Studio focuses on furniture, lighting, home accessories and jewelry. The varied portfolio speaks to the experimental and playful nature of Dylan Davis and Jean Lee, who established the studio in Brooklyn in 2010. The studios’ work breaks free of traditional notions of design and design styles, creating delightful pieces that juxtapose varied materials and styles. The Shape up lighting series – featuring a diverse range of shapes and materials hung together – attests to the ability of the duo to create elegant pieces in unexpected styles. L&G Studio’s works make for distinctive products that add liveliness to contemporary and modern homes.

AERIN

Aerin Lauder, founder of Aerin and granddaughter of Estee Lauder, created her eponymous brand to focus her passion for interior design and decor. With the motto ‘living beautifully should be effortless’, Aerin offers home decor and lighting products that bring beauty to every piece in a home. The casual yet sophisticated style of Aerin showcases the luxury lifestyle brand’s focus on products aimed at creating a cozy home – one that feels warm and lived in. Staying true to Estee Lauder’s legacy, the Aerin brand’s success comes from its authenticity and passion. The Aerin store is filled with delightful finds, like a shagreen chess set in a streamlined design with brass detailing, gilded crystal bookends, an organic side table inspired by coral and a jewelry box with croc embossed leather. Products at Aerin have an informal yet elegant charm, making it the quintessential Palm Beach style brand ideal for interior designers in Tampa.

visual comfort
visual comfort

SLASH OBJECTS

The brainchild of designer Arielle Assouline-Lichten, Brooklyn based Slash Objects uses unconventional materials to create homeware. With materials such as brass, recycled rubber and marble, the studio uses simple geometrical shapes to form their range of well designed products for home. The Coexist Askew tables use customisable brass and marble to form elegant sculptural tables, while the Ring coasters use polished brass edging to elevate the look of recycled rubber to create beautiful and functional home objects.

AMARA

The creation of interior designer Sam Hood, Amara is a premium homeware store that carries products from over 300 luxury brands including Versace Home, Tom Dixon and Missoni Home. The store takes an all embracing approach to homeware, offering furniture, lighting, furnishings, kitchenware, garden products and even storage solutions in extensive styles. Amara’s own collection of homeware – ‘A by Amara’ – is also available through the platform. Partnering with the best in design to deliver the most exclusive products, the brand’s success lies in being able to continue the experience of luxury with exceptional service. Along with personal shopping, a wedding registry and gift finding services, Amara is also an unending source of interior design inspiration. The store’s blog communicates trends and brand stories, offering ideas on interior styling and design.

visual comfort
Dining Interior

URBAN ELECTRIC CO

Meant to last generations, South Carolina based Urban Electric Co. makes handcrafted lighting with impeccable quality. Their designs are polished and elegant, blending modern with traditional, and giving them the ability to look equally good in country retreats and urban homes alike. All of the lighting products are made by skilled craftsmen using high quality materials. A company known to take pride in its workmanship and standards, Urban Electric Co. offers a one-of-a-kind “lifetime” warranty on all products.

ZOE BIOS CREATIVE

Based out of Los Angeles, Zoe Bios Creative offers select artworks for home furnishing. The art collective works with several artists to create paintings, textiles and photographs inspired by culture, art forms and nature. From abstract works and floral prints to portraits and detailed sketches, ZBC offers a varied selection that satisfies the needs of any interior design. The pieces are sophisticated and limited, intending to be art focused and a departure from mass produced artwork. This is achieved through a meticulous process that involves enlarging each hand rendered piece with multiple scans for color density and the desired level of detailing, followed by overlaying paints and textures by hand. The artworks can also be customized as needed, making Zoes Bios Creative every interior designers’ dream come true!

Dining Interior
Dining Interior

INCOLLECT

Antiques are a great addition to any interior design. They often come with a rich history – sometimes having shared homes with visionaries and leaders. Antique and vintage pieces are also highly unique, with quality craftsmanship to its name. It is this charm that I like to add to my projects at Rachel Blindauer Interior Design, and makes any trustable source for antiques highly valued for me. InCollect was created by Antiques and Fine Art Magazine founder John Smiroldo to streamline the process of sourcing vintage and antique works. The website connects antique and art dealers to collectors and interior designers, offering a better alternative to spending large amounts of time visiting auctions and antique stores to find the ideal piece. Antique furniture, fine art, decor and the latest high end customized works, InCollect features them all.

FROMENTAL

Wallpapers by Fromental are not used to simply cover up a wall, but are rather the equivalent of adding a piece of fine art to a home. The home of exquisite wallpapers, Fromental uses the finest silk for its wallpapers. The silk is further hand embroidered and painted in intricate designs by artisans in Wuxi, a city known for its silk and embroidery. The result is a luxury wallpaper with a unique British style and materials. Fromental’s wallpaper collection includes several outstanding works like the highly textured Goldoni series and a modern interpretation of Chinoiserie work called Modern Chinois. The collections also include bold designs created in collaboration with various artists, abstract and plain designs to add a subtle texture and quality to walls, as well as a choice of colors and embroideries in select pieces.

Dining Interior
Dining Interior

MATERIAL BANK

Yet another resource that simplifies interior design sourcing significantly is Material Bank. Material Bank is established by Adam Sandow, a seasoned entrepreneur with an array of successful fashion and design ventures like Luxe Interior + Design Magazine and New Beauty Magazine. Sandow’s knowledge of the design industry led to the creation of Material Bank as a marketplace with an extensive selection of materials for interiors and architecture. As an interior designer, there is nothing more reassuring than knowing that I can order a material tonight and get the samples tomorrow to put together a beach interior design palette or a Hamptons style interior palette. An easy way to identify relevant materials and check samples allows designers more time to spend on the design, which makes Material Bank an invaluable resource.

LIVE AUCTIONEERS

One of the secrets to staying within budget for an interior design project is to visit auction houses. Sometimes, you can snag amazing pieces for a steal at auctions, and this makes them a great resource for designers. Interior designing in Tampa and Sarasota does not always give me the opportunity or time to visit auction houses across the country, which is where Live Auctioneers comes to my aid. Live Auctioneers allows users to find and bid for pieces from across the world in the comfort of their home, so I can effortlessly buy an antique wooden cabinet or a unique chair from an auction house in New York for interior decorating in Florida.

ABC CARPET & HOME

While abc Carpet & Home carries an array of products for the home, it is their offering of carpets and rugs that truly stand out. With a centuries long history as a carpet store, it is of no surprise that abc Carpet & Home boasts one of the best collections of carpets and rugs in the country. Be it a Mororccan rug or a flatweave or an overdyed rug, abc Carpet is the best source for high quality hand woven rugs for the home.

Dining Interior
Dining Interior

NOIR + CFC

Based out of Los Angeles, Noir and CFC are sister brands that produce beautiful furniture and decor, led by Stephanie Lu and designer Georg Baehler. Each of the pieces by Noir and CFC are designed by Georg Beahler, who draws the designs by hand and to actual scale. His designs are influenced by classical furniture – ideal for contemporary and traditional interior designs. The designs are then handcrafted by local artisans using locally sourced wood and materials, making the brand an example of quality American craftsmanship. Furniture and decor pieces at Noir and CFC are customizable and made in a sustainable manner, often with recycled Douglas fir trees.

THE FUTURE PERFECT

The Future Perfect is a gallery that curates and showcases works by some of the best contemporary designers. A platform for rising artists, the gallery has discovered many talented artists and designers who have gained acclaim since. The Future Perfect is a place where you can find modern, sculptural and futuristic pieces – the kind that catches the eye and is sure to be a conversation starter. Playful pieces from current and future design luminaries that can create quirky and unique spaces are what The Future Perfect specializes in.

Dining Interior
Porter Teleo

PORTER TELEO

Created by artist Kelly Porter and interior designer Bridget Cochran, Porter Teleo brings wallpapers to life with a bold style. Hand printed and hand painted using the finest quality of materials, Porter Teleo’s wallpapers are unique. The process uses a mix of traditional and modern techniques including block printing and chine colle to create modern, bold designs. The creative abstract patterns and designs can be used on ceilings and walls to invoke a dramatic effect in an interior design.

ARTSY

Artsy is an online platform for sourcing art from the world’s leading galleries. Artsy makes it easy to find and purchase artworks by partnering with premier art institutions in every country to provide an extensive online catalogue. Reinventing the traditional model of art sourcing for the modern era, Artsy connects buyers with galleries and museums directly to purchase or bid on any piece of art and sculpture. The online catalogue also creates an opportunity for buyers to discover other artists by simply searching the categories and styles and by reading the editorial showcasing artists and artworks. Artsy is the digital adaptation of the art world, covering art shows from across the globe, and connecting art lovers to artists and museums.

Porter Teleo

Design lives in the details—in the burnished edge of a brass sconce, the hand-painted stroke on silk wallpaper, the balance of heritage and innovation in a sculptural chair. These sources are more than just places to shop. They’re extensions of the design process itself. Whether you’re a couple curating a new home, a hotelier redesigning a guest experience, or a developer elevating a residential project, the right source makes all the difference. If you’re ready to create a space that’s not just decorated—but deeply considered—I invite you to connect. This is where design begins to feel personal.

2 Hour Interior Design Virtual or In Person Consultation

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

THE PIECES RACHEL RETURNS TO, AGAIN AND AGAIN

Elevated Living Starts At Our Shop
Interior Color Theory Explained: Warm vs. Cool Colors & How to Use Them

Interior Color Theory Explained: Warm vs. Cool Colors & How to Use Them

by | Jul 10, 2020 | Color, Interior Design, Trends

Color isn’t just visual—it’s visceral. It can energize, calm, expand, or contain. But choosing the right shades for your home often feels like guesswork. Here’s how to understand interior color theory like a designer—starting with the color wheel and ending with practical palettes that live beautifully.

Understanding the Color Wheel

To understand color well, we return to a concept we all learned as children—the color wheel. This visual guide, originally created by Isaac Newton during his studies on light and prisms, maps out how primary, secondary, and tertiary colors relate.

Primary colors—red, yellow, and blue—combine to form every other color. Mixing these creates secondary and tertiary colors, all of which find their place on the wheel. In design, this understanding forms the foundation for harmonious palettes.

Warm vs. Cool Colors

Colors aren’t just seen—they’re felt. We often refer to them as “warm” or “cool,” but what does that really mean?

Warm colors—ruby, amber, carnelian, citrine—are associated with sun, fire, and energy. They advance in space, making them ideal for expansive rooms that can handle intensity. Cool colors—azurite, emerald, jade, amethyst—mirror water and foliage. They recede visually, creating calming environments and helping smaller rooms feel open.

Warm Colors:

  • Ruby
  • Carnelian
  • Citrine

Cool Colors:

  • Amethyst
  • Sapphire
  • Emerald
Unsplash

Choosing Your Colors

Color selection can feel overwhelming. An abundance of options, uncertainty about undertones, and fear of regret can lead to indecision. My advice? Start with your wardrobe. The hues we wear most often tend to reflect what we enjoy seeing around us.

Another smart starting point: take the Style Quiz to uncover your personal palette.

Color Psychology: How Colors Make You Feel

Each color carries an emotional charge. Here’s how to work with that:

Unsplash

CITRINE

Uplifting, positive, and creativity-inducing. Perfect for offices and social spaces. Use sparingly to avoid overstimulation.

CARNELIAN

Passionate, sensual, and stimulating. Use in dining areas to boost appetite, or bedrooms in muted tones.

color theory
color theory

RUBY

Passionate, sensual, and stimulating. Use in dining areas to boost appetite, or bedrooms in muted tones.

ROSE QUARTZ

Playful and soft. Lovely in bedrooms and powder rooms. Best when balanced with neutrals.

color theory
color theory

AMETHYST

Luxurious and creative. Light tones are restful; dark tones are dramatic. Ideal for studies, bedrooms, and lounges.

OBSIDIAN

A dramatic neutral that pairs well with everything. Great for entryways and dining rooms but should be tempered with light sources.

color theory
Interior Color Theory Pearl

PEARL

A balanced neutral. Works anywhere but should be warmed or accented to avoid sterility.

SAPPHIRE

Classic and calming. Deep blues bring sophistication, while lighter shades feel coastal and breezy.

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SophisticatedinBlueOffice
SophisticatedinBlueOffice

EMERALD

Earthy and serene. Excellent for bathrooms, bedrooms, and spaces designed for restoration.

WHITE

When it comes to deciding on how the colors need to be combined, the desired nature and feel of the room should be considered. For instance, if the intention is to create a breezy and light feeling in the room, much like Scandinavian style interiors, using airy neutrals as the base color for the ceiling and walls are ideal. Colors like pearl, selenite, citrine and celestite have an airy quality that can be utilized for this. For a room that is to be more grounded and earthy, colors like smoky quartz, tiger’s-eye, obsidian and hematite provide a good base color. As a base color, this would form the main part of the scheme, with other colors being added in where necessary. These colors can also be utilised as accents for a similar effect in the designs.

SophisticatedinBlueOffice
Interior Color Theory Pink

CONNECTING ROOMS AND COLORS

Every room in a house does not need to follow the same color scheme, and could instead have varying secondary or accent colors. In such schemes, it is important to create a continuity in the design using common colors or textures. For instance, if a living room is designed with the ceiling in an amethyst hue, and the dining room adjacent to it uses ruby on the ceiling, the color scheme can be connected by using a common color in the palette, like selenite. The color schemes can also be bridged by adding amethyst accents in the dining room – as part of the dining chairs or a rug, and ruby accents in the living room – on throws and cushions on the sofa or accessories. This would weave a common thread through the designs and make the design cohesive

Coordinating Across Rooms

Not every room needs to match. In fact, variation is part of good design. Still, connecting color schemes across rooms through repeated hues or textures ensures flow. Think: a ruby ceiling in one room echoed in a pillow or art piece in the next.

60-30-10 RULE

One of the most effective ways to combine colors in an interior is to use the 60-30-10 rule. This rule is a simple ratio for using 3 colors in a room. According to this principle, 60% of an interior should use the dominant or base color, 30% should be in a secondary color and the remaining 10% should be the accent color. In a living room or bedroom, the 60% would include walls, large furniture and furnishing pieces like the bed, sofa, and area rugs. 30% of the room would be cabinetry, curtains, coffee tables and smaller pieces of furniture, while 10% of the room would be accent furniture and decor pieces like artworks, plants and accessories.

The 60-30-10 rule does not need to be adhered to completely, and can be tweaked and played around with as needed. Which part of the room makes up each of the percentages is open to interpretation, as are the number of colors used. For example, 60% of a kitchen or living room can be the walls, ceiling and flooring, or it could include the walls and a majority of the furniture or cabinets. Similarly, if the room design feels like it needs both emerald and gold as accent colors, the percentage can be modified accordingly, as long as the accent colors add up to 10% of the room.

At Rachel blindauer interior designs, I begin every design process with a color analysis. This helps me identify the colors that work best for each person. Working as an interior designer in Tampa and Sarasota, I am inspired by the surroundings, and many of my interior designs in Florida are often bright and colorful. With an understanding of the various facets of color theory, you too can effortlessly choose the colors for your interior and furniture designs.

Blue Sapphire & Amethyst

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between an interior designer and decorator? A decorator focuses on the visual—furniture, lighting, colors—while a designer can also address layout and renovation decisions. Rachel Blindauer blends both for a cohesive, expert-led experience.

Do you work with existing furniture or only start fresh? Both. Rachel can elevate what you have or curate a full design from the ground up—based on your vision, lifestyle, and budget.

Can I book a virtual design consultation if I’m not in Missouri? Yes. Rachel offers 2-hour virtual consultations for clients nationwide, bringing her refined design sensibility to any home, wherev

Take the first step towards creating your dream space. If you are a couple with multiple homes looking for a decorator near you, a hotelier doing a redesign, or a developer looking for top-notch interior design services near you, Rachel Blindauer and her team are here to bring your vision to life. With our wealth of experience and expertise, we can create stunning and functional spaces that exceed your expectations and bring you to a new height of design and sophistication.

2 Hour Interior Design Consultation

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

THE PIECES RACHEL RETURNS TO, AGAIN AND AGAIN

Elevated Living Starts At Our Shop