Jeff Roder marvels at wife Paola’s talent in their master bedroom with her signature hand created stripes and bold colors. Doodles Kali and Lakshmi chill with their tennis balls.
Chai Style Home
Duane Stork Photography // The reading nook is an
inviting space off the Roder dining room.
Andy Warhol Meets Dr. Seuss Instagram influencer Paola Roder is known as the Paola: I’m actually a graphic designer. I went to an “Do It Yourself Queen of Color” for her take on hippie arts conservatory in Cali, Colombia, where I completed bohemian glamour. Along with financial manager hus- a five-year graphic design program. I’m more of an inteband Jeff, they moved a year ago to Johns Creek from riors enthusiast as I started using my home as a canvas King of Prussia, Pa. to apply some of my knowledge to create unique spaces. “Our home is Mid-Century Modern,” Paola said. “We love the architectural lines, tall and Marcia: How would you describe your coffered ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling winapproach? dows that give a sense of openness and Paola: I have a very unique and difbrightness. I love that our whole first floor ferent style. I might not be everyone’s cup is curtain-free. Some people like to be “safe” of tea, but I like to be different and make with design. I prefer to be ambitious and a statement. One of my IG followers dedifferent, and (laughing) pastels scare me.” scribed it as: “Roder has a lot of pop art Admiringly, Jeff embellished, “Paola is influences, but also a hip urban feel, a bit a very talented designer. Her projects are of kitsch and psychedelia.” I’m definitely a bold, but tasteful. Paola’s talent is to make maximalist! a space lively. She has the vision to see the Marcia final product, good judgment and realism Caller Jaffe Marcia: What are some of your most in terms of designing and changing a space. unusual pieces? Some spaces are just unappealing, not functional. Paola Paola: We have a family heirloom that we absoluteknows how to improve it by making a major change like ly love, a coffee table of hand-painted tiles from Israel. It taking down a wall. She can also see when a space can is a MCM table that fits perfectly with our decor. be transformed with modest effort and cost.” We like to add humor to our decor so there is an old Take a roller coaster ride in the joyous and stimulat- phone by the entrance next to a cassette and a diskette ing Roder home: resembling a “from the past” corner. Marcia: What is your training?
Marcia: Elaborate on your collections.
Paola: We focus on original art from new indie artists, mostly pop art like “Glitter Buddha” by Colombian Artist Juan Melo from his “Gente Brillante” (Sparkly People) Series, “Gay Gator” by Atlanta artist Liz Haywood, “Psychedelic Parrot” by Philadelphia artist Natalie Flor Negron, and the David Bowie clock “Two Face Twins” from the U.K. Marcia: Describe your decor. Paola: All our furniture is mid-century modern. I love bold colors with clean, simple lines, the honest use of materials. That generally does not include decorative embellishments. My signature element in my own designs is black and white stripes, which are integrated in all of my room designs along with bold, bright colors. A big part of why I am attracted to bold colors is my Latin and Colombian heritage. I try not to worry about trends and just go with my gut. I started this journey experimenting with murals like a black and white striped wall last year. I transformed my laundry room with a graphic mural. I love the urban feel that it gives to the space. My dream is to paint other walls with cool designs. Marcia: This kitchen is so contrastingly calm. Paola: Our kitchen is not on Instagram because it ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES AUGUST 31, 2020 | 41
