The Francis Files

How I Designed My To Live & Design Dining Room From the Floor Up

Inside the Regency Aviary, my To Live & Design dining vignette: how the whole palette came off a Color Study rug in Silverlake, plus the wallpapered screen I built from... Read more...

Poldina Pro vs. Pro Mini vs. Micro: Which Shades Fit Which Lamp

A two-minute fit guide to the Poldina Pro, Pro Mini, and Micro: dimensions, which shade covers fit which lamp, how slip-on covers work, and how to measure the one you... Read more...

The Best Pleated & Scalloped Lampshades for Every Budget

A designer's guide to the best pleated and scalloped lampshades for every budget, from under-$100 finds to handmade silk, linen, and printed shades. Read more...

Best Unlacquered Brass Bathroom Sconces Under $400

There's a particular moment in a bathroom renovation when everything hinges on the lighting, and I see clients freeze right there. On a recent West Midtown bathroom renovation, we'd settled... Read more...

The Meadow Collection: Painterly Floral Wallpaper & Throw Pillows

There's a particular quality of light in an English meadow that painters have been chasing for centuries. The Impressionists understood it best: that a wildflower field isn't a collection of... Read more...

Lacquered Walls: A Designer's Guide to High Gloss Rooms

Few wall treatments carry the same weight as a lacquered finish. There is something about the depth and luminosity of high gloss walls that simply cannot be replicated with a... Read more...

Five Ways to Style an Orange Pleated Lamp Shade

There is one accessory I keep coming back to across nearly every project right now: the Park silk orange pleated lamp shade. Not terracotta, not amber — a beautiful apricot... Read more...

A Denver Apartment Makeover With Transitional Style

When my friend approached me to design her compact Denver apartment, she had one clear vision: create a space sophisticated enough for her current lifestyle while featuring transitional furniture for... Read more...

The Best Sculptural Console Tables For Every Space

When I designed my Krog Street project on the Beltline, the entryway was a small pass-through space leading to the stairs up to the main level. There wasn't much room... Read more...

The Notebook: Diego Giacometti's Bronze Furniture

(Pommeaux de Canne bronze armchairs in a Paris living room by Luis Laplace via Architectural Digest) As an admirer of mid-century decorative arts, the bronze furniture pieces of Diego Giacometti... Read more...

Travel by Design: Condesa DF in Mexico City

(via Design Hotels) Nestled in the heart of Mexico City's most sophisticated neighborhood, Condesa DF stands as a stunning example of how contemporary interior design can breathe new life into... Read more...

Designer Tips for Bookshelf Styling: The Complete Guide & Best Products

Built-in bookshelves in Darius Rucker's former Charleston home The truth is, great bookshelf styling isn't effortless at all – it's a deliberate design process that follows specific principles to create... Read more...

The Notebook: Billy Baldwin's Bold & Beautiful Interiors

The brown-lacquered Manhattan living room of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Eastman via 1stDibs If you've ever fallen in love with a room that somehow manages to be both drop-dead gorgeous... Read more...

The Best Navy Blue Paint Colors (And How to Use Them)

Navy is the color people reach for when they want a room to feel finished and a little bit serious. The trouble is that most navy rooms stop at the... Read more...

The Best Brass Pendant Lights for Kitchen Islands Under $500

(via Studio McGee) If you're planning a kitchen renovation or simply looking to update your current space, choosing the perfect pendant lights for your kitchen island is one of the most... Read more...

1920s Bungalow Living Room: How to Make Tall Ceilings Feel Welcoming

When I first walked into this 1920s bungalow living room in Southwest Atlanta, I knew it had incredible potential. The soaring ceilings and beautiful original details were there, but the... Read more...

Travel by Design: Art Deco Excellence at Sommerro House

(via Wallpaper) Perched elegantly on Solli Plass in Oslo's prestigious Frogner neighborhood, Sommerro House stands as a magnificent testament to the power of thoughtful preservation and visionary design. This 231-room... Read more...

The Best Blush Pink Paint Colors: Grown-Up, Not Girly

The word "pink" scares people. They picture a little girl's bedroom or a bottle of Pepto, and they paint the walls greige instead. That's a shame, because the right blush... Read more...

Art Hearts: Josef Albers' Influential Color Studies

A West Village townhouse by Starrett Ringbom via Architectural Digest As someone deeply fascinated by the intersection of art and design, I find myself continually drawn to the methodical genius of... Read more...

How to Create a Whimsical Wildflower Table Setting

There's something magical about wildflower table settings that instantly transforms any dining space into a romantic, countryside-inspired retreat. Today, I'm sharing how I designed this captivating tablescape in my West... Read more...

The Notebook: David Hicks' Bold Approach to English Style

The dining room at Britwell Salome via Financial Times David Hicks stands out as a prominent figure understanding of bold, sophisticated living spaces. Few designers are associated with color and... Read more...

The 21 Best Bouclé Accent Chairs of 2026: A Designer Guide

(Bouclé accent chairs in an Austin living room via Kelly Wearstler) While the bouclé craze may feel like it's hit a fever pitch lately (you can't scroll through Instagram without... Read more...

Travel by Design: La Dolce Vita at Casa Monti Hotel

(via Laura Gonzalez) Nestled within Rome's historic Monti district, Casa Monti stands is a beautiful testament to thoughtful restoration and sublime interior design. This boutique hotel, which opened its doors... Read more...

Leopard Print Decor: The Guide to Styling Animal Prints at Home

(Leopard Area Rug in Peridot Green) Discover how to incorporate leopard print as a versatile neutral in your home with our new artisan-crafted Panthera Leopard Rug and curated designer pieces.... Read more...

The Best Pale Blue Paint Colors: Calm, Not Cold

Down here in the South, we've been painting things pale blue for two hundred years. It's on the underside of half the porch ceilings in Charleston and Savannah; the old... Read more...

Kevin Francis O'Gara Apartment Tour on Homeworthy

I was so excited when Homeworthy, my favorite destination for beautiful home tour videos, reached out to come and film my New Regency style apartment in Midtown Atlanta! The opportunity... Read more...

Finishing Touches for a Stylish Apartment With Frontgate

When it came time to layer in the final pieces for my Midtown Atlanta apartment, I turned to Frontgate for classic, luxurious furniture and home decor to bring the design... Read more...

Small Space, Big Style: My Atlanta Living Room With Coley Home

Designing a small apartment living room in Midtown Atlanta posed the perfect opportunity to create a space that felt both curated and cohesive. With an open-concept floorplan, I leaned into... Read more...

The Clam Chair: A Cozy Icon of Danish Modernism

The Clam Chair from Eternity Modern in my living room, as seen on Homeworthy. Nestled in a cozy corner of my living room is a piece of furniture that has quickly... Read more...

How to Make Fabric Panels Using Hollow-Core Doors

The ceilings in my Midtown Atlanta apartment are gloriously high—and while that's always a welcome design challenge, it definitely presented a puzzle in making the space feel personalized and grounded.... Read more...

Beautiful Boudoirs: Transitional Bedroom Rug Ideas

A thoughtfully chosen rug can transform a bedroom from simple to sumptuous—grounding the space, softening every step, and tying the entire design together. In transitional interiors, where traditional forms meet... Read more...

The Best Sage Green Paint Colors (Without the Minty Mistake)

Sage is the green people choose when they want color without commitment. It's soft, it's quiet, it plays well with wood and brass, and almost any stone. And it's everywhere... Read more...

Westover Place Project: A Classic Foundation for the Living Room

When designing the living room for the Westover Place Project, I wanted to establish a classic foundation that felt both timeless and inviting. The goal was to create a space... Read more...

The Notebook: Luis Barragán's Mexican Minimalism

In the world of architecture, the name Luis Barragán stands as a testament to the power of blending diverse influences to create something entirely unique. Born in 1902 in Guadalajara, Mexico, Barragán's architectural journey reflects... Read more...

High Point Design Details: Artisan Glass & Stitched Leather

Handblown amber glass pendants in the stunning converted-factory that houses Cisco Home High Point Market always offers a glimpse into the design world’s evolving priorities, and during my recent visit, one theme... Read more...

The Return of Silver and Chrome in Interior Design

A sleek chrome etagere bookshelf by Bernhardt There's a surprising reason why silver is coming back into the limelight after being outshined by brass for the past five (or more) years.... Read more...

Art Deco Furniture Trends From High Point Market

Soft curves around a circular stone table by Bernhardt I recently had the pleasure of spending two days at High Point Market, the largest furniture market in the world! As I... Read more...

My Restful Retreat Bedroom Design for Small/Cool NYC

It was such an honor to be included in the group of talented designers that Apartment Therapy brought together for their annual Small/Cool NYC event in Brooklyn. I had the... Read more...

New Regency Style: The Complete Guide to the Look I Built My Brand On

What is New Regency style? The complete guide to the design philosophy behind Kevin Francis Design: classical Regency bones, Hollywood glamour, and a fresh, collected point of view. Read more...

Meet the New Cloud Rug + More Cloud-Inspired Decor

I'm so excited to announce the release of a brand new rug design: the Cumulus Cloud Rug. This serene new addition to the Kevin Francis Design collection features a completely... Read more...

A Historic Kitchen Renovation With Georgia Marble

As you may have seen in my latest Reel, I just completed a renovation for a 100-year-old bungalow in Southwest Atlanta. This kitchen has great bones (and amazing ceiling height) but had... Read more...

Westover Place Project: Modern Classic Dining Room Reveal

When one of my best friends from high school moved back to Atlanta after years in Washington, DC, I couldn’t wait to help her settle into her new space—especially her... Read more...

Modern Meets Classic: Atlanta Beltline Townhouse Tour

For this townhouse located directly on Atlanta’s vibrant Beltline trail, my clients wanted their new-build home to feel layered, classic, and deeply personal—without sacrificing modernity or comfort. With a love... Read more...

Take Five: August Design Inspiration

(From an evening at Buckhead Village District) A few of my favorite design moments, fashion collabs, and restaurant visits from the past month. 1. Dinner with OMEGA at Summerour Studio... Read more...

The Notebook: Milo Baughman's Mid-Century Style for All

(Milo Baughman 1188 Dining Chair via Design Within Reach) It’s hard to peruse any vintage store (or website) without coming upon a Milo Baughman original or inspired piece of furniture. Baughman, who was born... Read more...

Guest House Renovation: Tiki Bar & Coastal Bedroom Reveal

Just over a year ago, I began one of my most creatively fulfilling projects to date—transforming an unused carriage house in Atlanta into a vibrant guest suite and immersive home... Read more...

Italy Travel Itinerary: A Recap of My Five City Trip

I spent just under twelve magical days visiting Italy for the first time in early June, the first half of my trip with one of my best friends and the... Read more...

Art Hearts: Paule Marrot's Natural Curiosities

Paule Marrot's vibrant botanical prints have become coveted design elements in sophisticated interiors that celebrate artistic heritage and bold color palettes. Paule Marrot was a pioneering French textile designer... Read more...

A Moody Dark Brown Guest Bedroom Refresh

When I set out to create the perfect dark brown bedroom, Clare's Coffee Date paint became my secret weapon for transforming our guest room into a sophisticated, moody retreat. Going... Read more...

From the Archives: A Classic & Contemporary Family Home

This series shares a behind-the-scenes look at some of the design boards I've created for past clients, showcasing classic contemporary home design inspiration and my favorite product finds from these... Read more...

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