Designer Spotlight

THE BEST OF THE BEST

ALISON GIESE

Alison Giese, Alison Giese Interiors, www.alisongieseinteriors.com, is now based in San Antonio, Texas after living and working in the Virginia area for seven years. She continues to work with clients in the Washington, DC Metro region as well as her new hometown and across the country.

Tell us a little about your background, including the name of your firm and how you got into design.

I took a very scenic route to get to design! I have a BS in Nutrition, and a law degree, but I’ve always loved homes and decorating. I discovered design blogs around 2008, learned about interior design as a profession, and then soaked up everything I could. I took a course in interior decorating at a local community college and used my own home as a laboratory to build a portfolio to start my business.

Can you offer some of your best tried-and-true tips for entertaining at home - just a few especially as we’re entering the fall holiday season?

Good music and good lighting are the top two! Then, maybe a signature drink to offer! The most important thing is the company, so making them feel welcome and relaxed is key.

How has social media changed your business, if it has?

Social media has definitely expanded the exposure I get for my work, and has become one of the main ways people find me.

What home decor has the most impact during the holidays? Is it the front door? A single tree? Thoughts?

I love a beautifully decorated stair rail. Greenery and natural elements, such as berries, pinecones and dried citrus with twinkle lights mixed in are my fave.

What is a new product or color or wallpaper that you love this year?

I’m really obsessing over rust velvet.

What is the biggest design trend you see for 2022?

With Covid-19 still being a factor, I suspect we will continue to see trends towards all things comforting - more saturated color with a retro or “days gone by” vibe.