Designer Anne McDonald on Paying Proper Homage to the Classics

Rip & Tan: In a few words, how would you sum up your interior ethos?

Anne McDonald: Elevated approachability.

Rip & Tan: Can you walk us through your process for this particular project? What was the initial vision?

Anne McDonald: The initial vision was coastal grandma, think a little preppy, lots of linen and canvas. The client was excited about the idea of vintage and as we learned that the client and their family love listening to records from the 70s and 80s, we moved in the direction of vintage post-modern vibes.

Rip & Tan: Being that this home is a new build, what are some of the ways you established a sense of lived-in character?

Anne McDonald: 60-70% of the furnishings were vintage, they’ve lived a life already which makes a huge difference. That and touches of plaster on the walls give warmth. We used zellige tile on the floor and the walls that provide a hand-hewn character.

Rip & Tan: Did this client have any design non-negotiables? How did you navigate that?

Anne McDonald: Not really. Overall the homeowners wanted the house to be family friendly. We kept that in focus: he reads the paper every morning so we selected a chair for that; she likes to write cards so we selected a desk with a view. We got into the nitty gritty of how they spent their time and furnished accordingly.

Rip & Tan: How do you infuse joy into typically more functional elements of a home?

Anne McDonald: Rugs and tapestries are my way of bringing personality and joyfulness into areas that are functional and hard like kitchens and bathrooms. HVAC and plumbing are not sexy. I lean into larger runners or rugs that have personality because it brings in softness and a story.

Rip & Tan: In what ways did color and texture play into this space?

Anne McDonald: The home looks over this incredible vista so we needed to avoid too much color or pattern—a lesson in restraint. We leaned into woods, limestone, neutrals, and let the key vintage pieces speak for themselves, for example, the Brazilian mid-century chairs in the living room.

Rip & Tan: From kitchen stools to hallway runners, the pieces you’ve sourced feel so unique and intentional. Can you give us a few tips for creating homes that feel as warm as they are bespoke?

Anne McDonald: This project is a good example of using multiple wood species. You need to be careful but multiple types of wood can get along with each other. For example, walnut, oak, douglas fir, rosewood, teak can all co-exist.

Additionally, the lesson here is to use reupholstery to update older pieces. There should be a unifying thread or look, in this project, we stayed in the mid-century or post-modern realm. Don’t be scared of running with vintage from different eras.

Rip & Tan: As a designer specializing in historical preservation, how do you define timelessness?

Anne Mcdonald: I believe in classicism which is a Greek design fundamental about proportion. If you fall back on those principles you can’t lose.

Rip & Tan: Whether it’s a trend we’ll soon question or an aesthetic on the rise, do you have any interior predictions for the next few years?

Anne Mcdonald: I’m excited to see what happens with Gen Z as they start to buy homes and settle in. They seem to spend money on things that they place value on and because of the last few years, they’re going to have a desire to have a space that’s theirs. It might not be a single family home, but it is a space that reflects their individuality. It will be interesting to see how that takes shape. That generation especially is going to buy vintage–it’s immediately bespoke, it’s immediately interesting and ultimately it’s better for the earth.