Canvas Conversations with Ellen Kastelberg Interiors

Ellen Kastelberg O'Neill is a Richmond, Virginia based, full service interior decorator, with a keen eye for color and detail, and a love for mixing textiles of all scales in a client's space.

Her style of "traditional with a twist", incorporates classic, quality furnishings with a fresh take, paired with an unexpected color palette, to achieve a practical, but fun and colorful space for her clients. One of her mottos, "fun, classic, and stylish do not have to be sacrificed when decorating a room."

We asked Ellen Kastelberg O'Neill, of Ellen Kastelberg Interiors, five questions to learn more about her practice, habits, dreams, and her interior design tips & tricks. Read more below:



Q: What is one piece of advice you always give to clients?
A: Whenever I present multiple options to clients and they are having a hard time making a decision, I always say, choose what you love, go with your gut instinct, and choose something that will work for you and your family for years to come. I can "sell" them on something all day long, but at the end of the day, the client is the one who is living with it.

Q:  If you could hang one piece of art from any museum in your home, which would it be?
A: Anything by Van Gogh or Matisse - I can't pick just one! I love both of these artists for their use of color and organic compositions. A third selection would be one of Dale Chihuly's fabulous glass sculptures, made into a light fixture. 

Q: What’s one design mistake people often make, and how can they fix it?
A: One of the biggest design mistakes I see people make is buying furnishings that are too big or too small for their space. Particularly rugs. I often see client's existing rugs that are too small for the space. The solution: source a larger sized rug or consider a custom cut carpet to better fit your space. 

Q: If you had to pick one signature decor element that defines your style, what would it be?
A: The signature design element that defines my style is decorating spaces with soothing, but fun and interesting colors, often contrasting colors, and mixing different scales of patterns; florals, geometrics, etc. 

Q: Describe your style in three words.
A: My design style is fun, soothing, and always practical. 

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Click here to explore Ellen Kastelberg O'Neill's Five Fine Art Favorites!