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Interior Design

Interior Designer Crush: Libby Greene

We're crushing on interior designer Libby Greene, a Birmingham-based designer who combines old and new to create elegant, understated and inviting spaces.

Β· By Lauren Helmer
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In our monthly Interior Designer Crush series, we talk to an interior designer we are crushing on and ask them 10 questions we’re dying to know the answers to. Today, we visit with Libby Greene of Libby Greene Interiors in Birmingham, AL. With a talent for mixing past and present, old and new, she creates inviting rooms that express a casual, understated elegance. For the past 15 years, she has worked independently in both residential and commercial venues throughout Alabama, as well as the coast of Florida. We asked Libby to describe her aesthetic, let us in on some tricks of the trade and give us a glimpse of some of her favorite projects. We hope you enjoy!

Libby Greene of Libby Greene InteriorsPin
Libby Greene of Libby Greene Interiors

What is your design aesthetic, and how do you translate that to each client’s home?

I am a traditionalist. I am all about elegant, comfortable and functional. I always cling to classic furniture, pretty antiques β€” good design is long-lasting. I am just as interested in the small details as I am the big picture. I sit down with my client and listen to their wants and needs, and then I try to incorporate those together into a look that they will love!

Where are your favorite spots to decorate in a client’s home?

I really love to work on all rooms. However, I think the kitchen and family room are where most families gather together. It’s the heart of the home. So, I like to make sure it is beautiful, of course, but also that it meets their functional needs with elements that capture their personalities and interests.

Libby used a diamond sisal runner for the stairs in this beach house foyer. "I love using natural fibers in a setting like that," she says.Pin
Libby used a diamond sisal runner for the stairs in this beach house foyer. β€œI love using natural fibers in a setting like that,” she says.
"I loved making it soft and fresh for the beach," says Libby of this beach house, which underwent a total makeover. This living room was once all red, gold and chocolate. Pin
β€œI loved making it soft and fresh for the beach,” says Libby of this beach house, which underwent a total makeover. This living room was once all red, gold and chocolate.
"I love the chipped up old painted mirror for this beach house foyer. We chose a soft green lamp to set the tone for the room. And of course every beach house need a old clam on a stand," says Libby with her trademark sense of humor. "It was one of the first purchases we made on the renovation."Pin
β€œI love the chipped-up, old painted mirror for this beach house foyer. We chose a soft green lamp to set the tone for the room. And, of course, every beach house needs an old clam on a stand,” says Libby with her trademark sense of humor. β€œIt was one of the first purchases we made on the renovation.”

Are there any trends you’re loving at the moment, and, alternately, any timeless aspects of design that you cling to?

I am loving the unlacquered brass and wallpaper trend! I use both a good bit. I am seeing a lot more colors and patterns being used. With regard to timeless design, I always use classic upholstery lines that you can throw a trendy pillow on. I always encourage my clients to buy the best you can afford. Quality over quantity! And try to buy a classic antique chest. It can really anchor any room in the house. You won’t be sorry!

What has been your most challenging project to date and why?

Well, being a Auburn graduate and fan, I would have to say that doing my clients’ β€œGame Day” house in Tuscaloosa was the most challenging and fun project for me! I was up to my neck in the Crimson Tide! You can only use so many shades of crimson and gray! Trying to balance all those colors and make it look tasteful was a challenge! (Laughs.) I have to say, despite the team rivalry, it turned out to be a special place that my clients can share with family and friends, and it’s a project I really loved working on.

"It was important to keep the color theme in the crimson and gray as family and friends gather to tailgate for the Alabama games," says Libby of the "Game Day" house. "I wanted a calming overall neutral palette with pops of crimson!"Pin
β€œIt was important to keep the color theme in the crimson and gray as family and friends gather to tailgate for the Alabama games,” says Libby of the β€œGame Day” house. β€œI wanted a calming, overall neutral palette with pops of crimson!”
One of the Paige Albright Orientals' rugs offers the requisite pop of crimson in this Roll Tide refuge. Local artist Dirk Walker did the Bryant-Denny Stadium painting in the dining room.Pin
One of the two Paige Albright Orientals’ rugs offers the requisite pop of crimson in this Roll Tide refuge. Local artist Dirk A. Walker did the Bryant-Denny Stadium painting in the dining room.
With its soft, velvet upholstered headboards and hand-painted euro shams, this guest bedroom provides ample sleeping for this home away from home. Libby found vintage press photos of Coach Bear Bryant and other historical images that add personality and local flavor throughout the home.Pin
With its soft, velvet upholstered headboards and hand-painted euro shams, this guest bedroom provides ample sleeping for this home away from home. Libby found vintage press photos of legendary Alabama Coach Bear Bryant and other historical images that add personality and local flavor throughout the home.
"You can always dress up your cabinets by adding a design on front of doors," says Libby. The floors are a geometric mosaic honed marble from Fixtures and Finishes.Pin
β€œYou can always dress up your cabinets by adding a design on the front of doors,” says Libby. The floors are a geometric mosaic honed marble from Fixtures &Β Finishes.

What brings you the most professional joy?

I’m most fulfilled when my clients are happy with the results and are excited to come home and enjoy being in their home!

Where do you get your inspiration?

There is a lot that inspires me! Finding that special piece for a room β€” whether it’s a picture, pillow or rug β€” excites me. I always love going through my collection of coffee table books for inspiration. It’s really neat to have a job where you’re constantly inspired, surrounded by pretty things and have great clients to work for!
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Who have been your industry mentors and role models and why?

I love Suzanne Rheinsteinβ€˜s style! She is known for her gracious and relaxed Southern traditional style. We have similar beliefs, such as buying good things one at a time rather than filling up a space with cheap copies. Her style is classic and timeless!

The stunning and stately entrance to the living room, designed by Libby, at the 2016 Decorators' Showhouse in Birmingham, ALPin
The stunning and stately entrance to the living room, designed by Libby, at the 2016 Decorators’ Showhouse in Birmingham, AL
"I chose a grayed taupe color with pops of salmon for the color palette in the Decorators' Showhouse living room," says Libby. "I loved incorporating the old with the new in this pretty living room!"Pin
β€œI chose a grayed taupe color with pops of salmon for the color palette in the Decorators’ Showhouse living room,” says Libby. β€œI loved incorporating the old with the new in this pretty living room!”
These antique intaglios are displayed in gilded frames. The clear etched crystal lamp was handmade in England and is topped with a beautiful silk chiffon shade in a warm taupe.Pin
These antique intaglios are displayed in gilded frames. The clear, etched crystal lamp was handmade in England and is topped with a beautiful silk chiffon shade in a warm taupe.
"I wanted to create a soft subtle weight in the room with the draperies. So I chose a silk that was just a little darker than the walls and created texture by adding the pleats down the panels," says Libby.Pin
β€œI wanted to create a soft, subtle weight in the room with the draperies. So I chose a silk that was just a little darker than the walls and created texture by adding the pleats down the panels,” says Libby.

Share one design secret with us regular folk.

This really isn’t a secret, but more of an essential: I stuff my pillow covers with 90/10 down pillows. It really makes the biggest difference in how the pillow sits and can really help a drab sofa look a lot better! I usually make the pillow fill about 2 inches larger than the pillow cover, so its nice and full. And don’t karate-chop the pillows in the middle so they look like they have ears!

What are your predictions for interior design in the next 10 to 15 years?

I really think traditional will come back even more. This is why I say don’t fill your house up with what’s trending today. Instead, buy pillows or small trendy items to mix in with the traditional, because in 10 years you will be over what’s trending today. If you buy those great pieces you can place in most rooms, then you will have them for the long haul. People will still want to change out neutrals for color and color for neutrals β€” the balance between color and neutrals will always ebb and flow. My mom laughs at the fact that the colors she had growing up are now popular again. It all comes around full circle!

β€œEverything about this bathroom is just so peaceful and serene,” says Libby. Calcutta gold marble from Triton Stone, a wall mosaic from Fixtures & Finishes and unlacquered brass make for a stunning shower. β€œI love the contrast that the gold of the unlacquered brass gives against the marble,” says Libby.

If you could squeeze your design philosophy into five words, what would they be?

Good design should be timeless.

Thank you to Libby GreeneΒ for sharing her talents and insights. We see great things happening for this designer of elegant, timeless interiors! To view more of her fabulous work or to contact Libby, visit Libby Greene Interiors.

And a huge thank you to photographer Jean AllsoppΒ for sharing her wonderful picturesΒ with us!

Lauren Helmer

Lauren Helmer

Lauren Helmer is a writer, editor, and artist with a passion for food, the arts, interiors, and the people who create them.

See all articles by Lauren Helmer
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