Designer Story: Neo-Trad Robin Gannon

I started to write this post about my Handsome Husband’s and my upcoming annual weekend getaway up in Jackson, NH. Where we are going is really awesome — there are more than 150 km of groomed backwoods cross-country ski trails and our inn has apres-ski fondu and rooms with private porches and hot tubs to soak those tired muscles after a long, cold trek.

The inn is very nice and the food is good, but it is not decoratively unique in anyway. Upscale, but not out of the ordinary as far as interiors go, which pretty much sums up a lot of New Hampshire accommodations. New Hampshire is not Vermont. You come here because of the outdoors and the lack of crowds, not because your little inn is a jewel box.

However, we are going to get buckets of RAIN in the next few days, which are going to kill the snow conditions. Come on! I have to endure -15 F for weeks and then it goes up to 50 when I finally get a chance to go skiing?! “Just another typical winter in New England,” as my HH says. So, even though we’re still going to Jackson, I started surfing for inns with more inspiration inside than out, should this same situation occur next year. In doing so, I lighted upon the work of Lexington, MA designer Robin Gannon. But I’ll get to that.

Robin Gannon: Neo-Traditional Design at its Best

Neo-trad, fresh classic, traditional-with-a-twist — whatever you call it, Robin Gannon’s work is totally my dish. She uses texture, lovely colors, splashes of deep hues, pattern-on-pattern, and classic silhouettes to create interiors that are balanced throughout a project from one end to the other.

I love her airy mix of neutrals and soft colors combined with saturated hues. And her artwork choices are incredible.

(All photos are from Robin’s website unless otherwise noted and are by Michael Lee or Dorothy Greco.)

You can never go wrong with an antique dresser in the foyer, especially like this marble-topped one with flame veneers. Such patina. Bunny Williams Home lamp.

One of my favorite breakfast nooks. Natural shades always dress down deep tones. Another vintage table.

Aqua backsplash and purple stools? Love that color combo. And the rockin’ punk girl pendants.

I spy a linen-wrapped Ming cocktail table! I told you they go with everything! Splash of aqua in the double gourd lamp.

Is there anyone out there who doesn’t love Galbraith & Paul’s Lotus wallpaper? But this plum colorway is definitely less utilized. The lipstick red vanity (but it has traditional lines!) brings out the orange red detail in the paper.

Great art in what is often an underutilized space — the upstairs landing.

Robin does cozy/clubby/tweedy really well, too. The jewel tones are still there, just tempered by browns and textures.

More dress up/dress down, using natural shades with drapes and lucite with natural fiber rugs.

I love the way she uses textural brown. And the ceiling!! I like when designers use a wallpaper that is fairly symmetrical from all angles like the above, rather than directional. That’s just me, and there are always exceptions. 😉

More texture to make jewel tones more casual. Love the tone-on-tone blue velvet sofa. Reminds me of mine. Did anyone notice the upholstered doors on the built-in?

Wacky art in a traditional space. I like the way Robin finagled a shelf above the curtain rods for display and book storage.

I never get enough plaid. So cozy with burnt orange. More natural shades, drapes, and natural fiber rugs.

Then there are her dining spaces! I tell you, this Gen Xer never gave up on the formal dining room, and the Millenials are starting to see its attraction at last.

Above and below, she makes use of the ceiling.

A sexy little custom tufted corner banquette.

And then there’s the Inn at Hastings Park, where I first discovered Robin’s work. Whereas most of her projects involve multiple rooms in a single home — parts of a whole — rooms at a hotel can be taken as individual little environments. So if every room has wallpaper in the inn, who cares?! In fact, hooray! You’re only going to stay in one of them, so it may as well be one that’s been done to the hilt.

This place is a wallpaper junkie’s fantasy land.

Everything charming. Robin definitely has an affinity for Sister Parish and Dunes and Duchess!

Hope you enjoyed the eye candy! Next week I’ll be back with a new furniture maker that may spark your interest. ‘Til Saturday!

-Amy