Timeless Style From Shelly Riehl David

What sort of design trends are you seeing?
The world is much more global today; we're now much more aware of different cultures and aesthetics. Ten years ago people thought they were ethnic if they brought in a few African motifs; now it's way beyond that. We're bringing in Turkish carpets and artifacts from the Far and Middle East and we're integrating those pieces into rooms that aren't just that style. You don't have to have a Moroccan or African or Mexican room, or a theme room. All of those pieces are coming together to make each room look unique.

Everybody's idea of color is different, of course, so we laid out several combinations of fabrics and colors and she picked out pink and fresh green. That was our inspiration point. From there we could work on wall colorings and custom draperies. We're getting a kiwi green Merino glass chandelier in their dining room. So often people wait to hire a designer until after the basics — walls, lighting, flooring — are chosen. But when you have the inspiration pieces and colors from the start, you don't have to go neutral. Everything can work together.

What's the last thing you splurged on?
Restoring a beautiful old skiff, a Chris Craft boat. We restored it down to every piece of wood. Now it's all done in yellow and white with a pretty American flag on it.

If you weren't a designer what would you be?
I'd be bored. I'd have to be independently wealthy floating around the Caribbean on somebody's yacht — that's the only other "job" I can imagine. Being a designer is so much fun and enables me to be around beautiful things all the time. I get to travel, make life beautiful. I have my dream job.

Anne Krueger, a writer based in Knoxville, Tenn., has written for In Style, This Old House, Martha Stewart Living and The New York Times.