Southern Roots with a Modern Flair
Wallpaper is having a moment and continues to be one of the most popular home décor trends as we enter 2023. In this month’s designer spotlight, we showcase powerhouse sister designers Charlotte Harris Lucas and Liz Harris Carroll of House of Harris, a luxury fabric and wallpaper company, run from both Charlotte and Wilmington, North Carolina. They create visually spectacular designs inspired by their southern roots and worldly travels. House of Harris’ designs feature whimsical patterns and vibrant colors combined with modern flair. They show us that wallpaper is no longer confined to a featured wall – many are using it in the kitchen, bathroom and even in upcycled furniture.
~ Tell us about your background and what inspired you to launch House of Harris ~
“We both have interior design firms independent of one another, but come from slightly different (educational) backgrounds – Liz, business school and for me, design school,” says Charlotte. “We both have different strengths that contributed to the success of our firms and one day thought to blend those together in a natural extension of our industry – and so House of Harris was born.”
~ What Inspires you in your designs? ~
We draw a lot of inspiration from our southern roots. Growing up in the Carolinas, we spent a lot of our childhood at the beach and mountains and find that many of our designs pull from nature and the color palettes seen throughout the southeast,” notes Liz. “When we think of the south, we think of color, life, flora and fauna, and lots of happy memories. We wanted our line to evoke those feelings but with a modern flair that could fit seamlessly into our designs, without feeling dated or overly traditional.“
“Maximalism is also an inspiration for our designs. It’s about mixing and matching patterns and colors and going a bit over the top. It’s a ‘more is more’ philosophy,” explains Charlotte.
~ Tell us about 2023 wallpaper trends ~
“People are becoming less afraid of color and pattern. There will always be a place for neutrals, but we’ve both noticed clients want to incorporate more joyful prints and pops of color into their homes – and we love it!” exclaims Charlotte. “When applying House of Harris to your walls, we want our clients to feel a sense of joy, but also serenity and escape,” adds Liz. “Nods to nature and nostalgia are prominent in our designs – our top four best sellers are scenic papers, Bamboo Garden, Fauna, Flora and Fancy Flock.”
~ What tips do you have for clients who want to use wallpaper for their home but don’t know where to start? ~
“Start with it in a smaller space – a bathroom, a closet, a bar. The impact you can see and feel in the space is instant and you’ll become less afraid to add it to more prominent spaces in your home,” says Charlotte.
~ What ‘s your design process? ~
“When designing a new collection, we always plan a weeklong retreat at the beach, where we shut off the world and just think/create/sketch/scheme!” says Liz. “We compare all the inspiration we’ve collected over the year (magazine cutouts, saved Instagram photos, books, etc.), and get to work. It sets the stage for the next steps of development, and we always leave feeling refreshed and excited for what comes next.”
~Tips for Women Who Want to Create a Space They Love ~
“Stay true to yourself and your taste,” notes Charlotte. “Don’t let trends or what’s inundating your Instagram feed influence you – unless you truly love what you’re seeing,” Liz advises. “Creating a space that’s uniquely you will never go out of style. Think about the way you live and what you want to prioritize. Find a single piece you love – whether that’s art or furniture – and use that as your jumping off point.”
~Tips for Women Entrepreneurs ~
“Be curious, ask questions, network, listen to podcasts, read articles, take classes, just start! There’s so many resources out there that can help you get on your feet,” says Charlotte. “Seek out the information you need, get inspired and find mentors that can help answer your questions and guide you. Taking the first step can often be the hardest, but it can cause the domino effect that changes your life!”
