From ICU Nurse to Interior Designer: Meet Gretchen Rose of Kentucky Rose Designs
Interior Designer Gretchen Rose isn't afraid of a little color, a fabulous vintage find, or breaking a few design rules. See how her Kentucky roots inspire spaces that are anything but ordinary. Image: Kate Leichhardt
Gretchen Rose of Kentucky Rose Designs didn’t set out to be an interior designer — but you’d never know by looking at her stunning interiors. The former ICU nurse blends her love of old architecture with curated one-of-a-kind vintage treasures to create homes saturated in color, texture, and charm. Her signature touch? Designing spaces so timeless that guests are left wondering, “Was it always like this?”
We had the chance to talk with Gretchen about her favorite projects, how she approaches her designs, and her tips for layering vintage into any space.
Your road to interior design was non-traditional. Can you tell us about your career path?
I have two bachelor’s degrees, and neither is in interior design. The first is Equine Science, and the second is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. I grew up on a farm with horses, and they were my first love. When I decided not to go to veterinary school, nursing seemed like the next best choice.
During nursing school, I started reselling vintage furniture and rugs to help pay back student loans. I discovered my love for vintage shopping and got pretty good at finding the perfect piece. I enjoyed decorating for myself, and soon, friends started to notice my design style and asked if I would decorate for them. My career evolved organically, and I eventually left the nursing field.
What do homeowners love most about your design style?
I bring the love of old into every design. I respect the home’s original build, the quality of the craftsmanship, the character, and the stories each antique or vintage piece tells. In the age of social media, it’s easier to show people what you love and for homeowners to find what resonates with them. So we attract each other!
Your designs are bursting with color and texture. What influences your style choices?
I use color, wallpaper, texture, and old things every chance I get. I want the homeowners’ guests to ask, “Was it always like this?” because the furniture, paint, and extra touches look like they “belong” in the home. For anything permanent, I avoid “trendy” at all costs.
You often use wallpaper on ceilings. What inspires that design choice?
Using wallpaper is a way to draw color inspiration from other details like cabinetry, furnishings, and window treatments. The ceiling is often referred to as the fifth wall, and it deserves this title!
Speaking of ceilings, do you always leave the ornate woodworking?
I can proudly state that I have never removed original ornate woodwork for a project! At times, we’ve even copied an existing profile and carried it into another room in the house.
How do you bring vintage and modern pieces together to create a cohesive design?
I think incorporating pieces across multiple decades helps to make the home feel collected. It shouldn’t feel like a new furniture showroom or a museum! I source old rugs, keep original mantels, and mix antique pieces (like a server) with modern essentials, like dining tables and chairs, to complete the room.
How do you balance beautiful design with everyday life, especially with kids and pets?
I have kids and dogs, so I understand the need for quality and durable materials. Luckily, lots of furniture companies understand this too, making performance fabrics easy to come by. While buying vintage is a great way to add character, it’s also a way to give the homeowner a piece of furniture that’s “perfectly imperfect.” They won’t have to stress about a scratch or ding because vintage already has scars with stories. After all, our homes are for us to live in, not stare at.
What has been your favorite project and why?
A big part of what I love about this work is the people I work with and the relationships that develop during the project. I have been blessed with wonderful clients who have been such a pleasure to work with. Each individual project is honestly so special.
If we put the clients (and sometimes their adorable dogs) aside, I would say any project with unique architecture or bold colors.
Where does your inspiration come from?
Right now, I am really into 1990s and 2000s interior design hardback coffee table books. Bonus points if they’re European and from an antique shop.
Where do you shop for vintage items?
Estate sales, antique shops, thrift stores, resellers, Facebook Marketplace, Goodwill, and even my neighbor’s basement.
What are some of your biggest design challenges?
As someone who loves color, my biggest challenge is when a homeowner decides to use a lot of white paint. There are just so many fun color options to choose from!
Another challenge is figuring out how to order the right amount of wallpaper. No matter what, I’m either short a roll or have four too many.
What’s one easy piece of design advice you can offer?
Don’t be afraid of COLOR!
How can people avoid being swept up in new trends?
Unless you want your home to be exactly like a furniture showroom, I always advise people to incorporate some vintage. Choose a side table, dresser, lamp, chair, ottoman, or art. If it’s mass-produced, it’s going to feel trendy.
What’s something we should hold onto even if it’s old?
Nice rugs and solid wood furniture — they are expensive to replace!
What’s your favorite room in your own home, and why?
Our family room. I love the green wainscoting, the brick fireplace, and the bay window. Memories live there.
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Samantha Perkins
Samantha Perkins is an author, ghostwriter and women's writing coach. She lives in Louisville Ky where she loves hiking nearby trails and browsing her local library for her next great read.
