We are heading up to the beautiful coast of Maine for today's episode! Our guest is Laura Keeler Pierce, the founder and principal designer of the New England-based interior design firm Keeler & Co., and the co-founder of Rusticator, a curated home furnishings shop located in Seal Harbor, Maine.
Laura sits down with Caroline, Taryn, and Liz to discuss her signature aesthetic, which masterfully blends historic New England charm with modern, updated livability. She shares how growing up moving from city to city shaped her design eye, the inspiration behind the "rusticator" lifestyle in Acadia National Park, and her approach to designing incredible commercial spaces like the reimagined Claremont Hotel.
Quick Decorating Takeaways:
Respect the Architecture: When working with older, historic homes, Laura believes in maintaining the architectural integrity while infusing it with modern character. Don't fight the bones of the house—embrace them, and let the history of the home inform your material and fabric choices.
The "Rusticator" Lifestyle: Inspired by Mount Desert Island's iconic summer cottages, Laura recommends looking for "first-generation heirlooms." These are timeless, well-crafted, sturdy pieces that can handle everyday life (and sandy feet) but still bring a sense of tailored elegance and deep comfort to a space.
Mix Classic with Contemporary: A room shouldn't feel like a museum. Laura creates warmth by layering classic, traditional patterns (like Sister Parish or William Morris & Co.) with fresh colors, vintage bamboo pieces, and contemporary art to keep the room feeling spirited, welcoming, and deeply personal.
What You’ll Hear on This Episode:
00:00 Welcome & Introduction to Laura Keeler Pierce
02:00 Growing up surrounded by "sawdust and custom draperies"
06:00 Balancing a heritage design sensibility with modern living
12:00 The foundation of Keeler & Co. in Boston and Maine
18:00 The story behind Rusticator in Seal Harbor and the island lifestyle
25:00 How to source timeless furnishings and everyday heirloom pieces
32:00 The design process for reimagining the historic Claremont Hotel property
38:00 How a sense of place and local nature influences interior color palettes
45:28 Closing thoughts and where to visit Rusticator in person
Also Mentioned:
Keeler & Co. | Website
Rusticator (Seal Harbor, ME) | Website
The Claremont Hotel
Follow Keeler & Co. on Instagram: @keelerandco
Follow Rusticator on Instagram: @rusticatorshop
Shop Ballard Designs
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Happy Decorating!
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