Growing up in Texas, Shea McGee loved excursions with her father to free-night trips at Houston’s Museum of Fine Arts. After earning a degree in communications and marketing, the newly married McGee posted pictures of her home on Instagram, and social media propelled her into a full-fledged design career. Her book The Art of Home, a Netflix show, plus product lines designed for Target and Kohler, are among the projects of Studio McGee, where she is creative director in partnership with her CEO husband, Syd. “What I love about design is the opportunity to dream and then to will that vision into existence,” she says.
Living in a home just outside Salt Lake City that’s a blend of modern and traditional, McGee is a self-described “homebody” who spends free time playing tennis, enjoying the outdoors and baking cookies—trying out new recipes on Sundays—with her three grade-school daughters, Wren, Ivy and Margot. Here, she shares tips on breathing new life into spaces.
Remodeling your first kitchen launched your career. What makes a person want to redo a space?
Two reasons: functionality, if the space isn’t working for the people who live there, and aesthetics, if it isn’t attractive. Sometimes it’s a mix of both. For us, it was more aesthetics. We bought the house on short sale, the layout was good, but it was that suburban faux-Tuscan style.
What’s the difference between refreshing and renovating?
Refreshing is breathing new life without major demolition—adding some details, changing paint color. Renovating is more about changing flow, major construction.
Where to get started in the jumble of ideas?
People are pulled in so many different directions that I like to create a mood board to look for threads of connection among images or themes clients are drawn to. Maybe wood tones, oak or rustic stains, keep showing up.
How about budget considerations?
Have a clear idea of what you want, so contractors can bid accurately. And be sure to add in some cushion, because it always goes over what you expect.
What challenge does the designer face?
A big part of good design is solving problems by creating beautiful solutions for how we live in our homes.
What’s the benefit of collaboration?
It’s important for the design team—client, architect, builders—to know how the ideas are being brought to life. We all provide our different expertise, and the results are better than if one decided to do all the jobs.
How is remodeling on television different from real life?
Resources are tighter, we’re able to showcase how to conquer budget challenges.
Why focus on the feel of the space?
It’s the feeling you get when you’re in a home, the way it influences our moods and impacts us on an emotional level.
What is something essential to every space?
Every room needs at least one vintage piece; it adds some mystery and character. It can be as big as an antique hutch in the dining room or as small as a vintage piece of pottery or textile.
What’s a tip for living through the upheaval?
There are going to be moments when you’re tired of having people all over your house all times of day. Carve out a few areas where you can seek quiet and try to do that. And know that in the end, you’ll be grateful to have your home brought to its fullest potential.