CHAI STYLE

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 husa 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 stimulatphone by the entrance next to a cassette and a diskette ing Roder home: resembling a “from the past” corner.

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

The Roder’s original “Gay Gator” is by local artist Liz Haywood

is gray and won’t perform well on there. It’s a beautiful, spacious kitchen, but changes are on the way color-wise. I have been drawing some mock-ups of what I want there. We are vegans and love Indian food and Ethiopian cuisine. Jeff is my sous chef.

Marcia: How do the pups fit in?

Paola: Our two large goldendoodles have free range of the home, which is dog friendly because they have space to move safely within. Kali is the Indian goddess of creation and destruction, and Lakshmi is the goddess of beauty and wellness.

Marcia: Last word.

Jeff: My home makes me happy and grateful. I love the architecture, Paola’s interior transformation, the open space, and the neighborhood setting. While some have cabin fever being cooped up all of these months

Paola is best known for crafting original murals. This interpretation of Frida Kahlo by Ana Paula Hoppe dominates the master bathroom.

One of Paola’s favorites is this original Glitter Buddha by Colombian artist Juan Melo / “Gente Brillante” (Sparkly People) Series.

Jeff’s mother gifted the hand-painted Israeli tiles that were constructed into a mid-century modern table in 1970.

The Roder dining room table is set with Paola’s bold colors contrasting black and white stripes.

Adjacent to the dining room, Jeff Roder set up this wall with 16 size 45 records he found in the basement of a Philadelphia shop.

due to the virus, I am happy as a clam to be largely confined in this house.

My favorite area is the sunroom with large windows, looking out on a yard with deer and wildlife adjacent to the eating area. And, I enjoy eating!

Paola: Atlanta is a vibrant, different and colorful backdrop for engaging in the world around us. I love how the arts here are a catalyst and an incredible part of connecting communities.

As an avid jogger, now during COVID, I created a virtual running club from all over the world where we challenge running for 40 days – at least a mile a day. Currently 45 runners are on our page @roderroadrunners.

Marcia: Midtown and Soho meet Johns Creek right here. ì

This guest bedroom designed by Paola was featured in HGTV Magazine. The dots are decals. The lamps are Novogratz.

Paola hand-painted this IKEA dresser beneath an interpretation of Brigitte Bardot.