Robyn Monahan Interior Designer

HOW I DESIGN
Flirting / Tension
I think a lot of people walk into a room and say, “It needs something… maybe a pop of color.”
Grrrr, have you ever walked into a beautiful home and then — bam — cobalt blue. Turn your head — bam — more cobalt blue. Suddenly, the “pop” becomes the whole story.
What happens?
The last-minute statement steals the show instead of supporting the beautifully curated design.
I prefer something else.
Flirt with color.
No dramatic pop. No screaming for attention. Ease into it. Let a color slowly reveal itself through the room. Subtle. Intentional.
Easy on the eye.
This is actually a personality trait turned design style.
I love tension in a room.
Not negative tension. Not discomfort. I mean that feeling of attraction… a little tease energy, movement, something quietly unexpected. Flirting!
Passive, overly safe design isn’t really my thing.
So how do you create it?
You have to know your client’s soft underbelly to find their edge.
That’s where design becomes interesting.
Colors flirt with each other. Objects flirt with light. One piece quietly references another. Nothing yelling, “Look at me.”
Unexpected… yet it belongs.
I’ll give you an example.
Years ago, I designed a dining room with a custom square table wrapped in lamb’s leather. Everything was perfect. Beautiful proportions. Curated. Finished.
Too finished.
So I turned the table on a diagonal.
Suddenly, the room came alive, and the music started playing.
( The Beatles in this home )
It became interesting. Sexy. Fabulous. Unexpected
People talked about that room for years.
I love big square Dining room tables, even though they are perfect for the room, to this day, I always put them on a diagonal. Just to fck with it, Anyone can do perfect, but can you do perfectly askew?
The same goes for an oversized chandelier. When it’s right, it’s cheeky and unexpected. Not oversized for the sake of being oversized. It creates tension.
That may be the secret.
Tilt things slightly off balance… while keeping them balanced.
This style isn’t for everyone. It’s often for someone who’s lived a little, had a few homes, and is ready to play.
It really does take your inner child to be a Designer, no rules!
And if your home feels beautiful… but not unforgettable—
Give me a call.
I'll make it, flirt.

HOW I DESIGN
Happy Father's Day

I grew up going to my father’s projects.
My father had a very cool job. He was Director of Traffic and Transportation in every town we lived in—which also explains why each one of us was born in different cities. Except for Brandon and me.

This was the 50s. Mad Men fashion in our home. Not a copy, the real deal. He was a cool cat.

Ok so if you had a business and needed a road, a parking lot, a traffic solution, a stop sign, access planning—pretty much anything connected to movement—you needed him. He had this incredibly specialized role at a time when no one else did.
So he was the guy.

His path was fascinating, too. I can’t go into every special story, but here are a few to honor him on fathers day.

He started as a fighter pilot, then taught other fighter pilots, and eventually brought that precision, strategy, and way of thinking home—transitioning into shaping transportation systems and infrastructure across the U.S.

This was how it went: He would move first and either build our family home or buy one. Then my mother, my three siblings, and I would follow once everything was ready.
And then my mother would do something equally impressive—
She would turn that house into a home.
Yes, I'm getting it as I write it. I knew I got some of her style, but I did not get this. Yes daft!

One of my favorite things he did was come around in one of those cool county trucks, scooping up all the neighborhood boys to visit the roads he was building.
Mostly, the truck was exciting for the boys to climb on—(you know the street lines painted yellow, the trucks were that yellow….yes, he made that yellow standard for all street lines and signs, still this to this day )

Anyhow, the trucks would have ladders and equipment everywhere. No seat belts… because, well… it was the 50s.
But for me…I got to watch my Dad as he inspected his men’s work. He would stand there looking at one of his roads, pipe in hand. He’d pat down the to***co, dlowly methododly, light his pipe, and quietly inspect the work. He’d explain the design to us, where the road would curve, where traffic would move, and what was coming next.
And I would just stand there listening, so proud.
Completely impressed.

Girls’ first love really is her father.

I didn’t know any of this then. I just thought he was adorable.

I can still smell his Black Cherry to***co and Old Spice cologne. (I actually kept one of his pipes—with a pack of his to***co.)

He was a quiet, brilliant British gentleman with an important job and absolutely no fear.
Men respected him, and boys looked up to him.
As kids / teenagers, before we went anywhere, he would gather us and quietly tell us what he expected from us—but so softly we had to lean in to hear him.
Looking back… that was genius.
No yelling.
We leaned in.
We listened.
We behaved. He never yelled at us or hit us.
He had our complete respect.

He was often in the newspaper—usually for good and productive things… until we moved to Miami and life got a little more colorful. ( martini lunches started )

But I think the point of this story is this—
My Dad designed and built roads and highways.
My Mom designed homes.
My big brother designed and built roads… then hotels.
My big sister built medical equipment.
My little brother designed and built anything on wheels—and now he’s The Jeep Guy.
And me—
I design and build anything for the interior and exterior of homes.
Not the same thing.
But builders all the same.
Thanx Dad.
Happy heavenly Father's Day 🌹

another cute story.....
So this beautiful Italian man, Freddie, was kind of a Dad figure for me, mostly because he was older and looked out for me. But he was the best kind of naughty friend you could have.

He came to me the same year my father passed, the same year we bought this house. Coincidence, I don’t think so. I think he was a special delivery from my father.

He sent me this man to watch over me, to feed me, and to make me laugh, you know, those belly laughs, where you can’t stop. And it takes him an hour just to finish the joke because we are all laughing so much.

Damn, I miss him. I don’t just miss his Clams and linguine; my favorite dish. He had so many clams and so much garlic in this dish….my mouth is watering, and his steaks, he taught me, about fat in a steak. And always to follow with zambuca, espresso, and Italian pastries......yes I got fat with him. Fun fat.

I miss how he would wait for me to start the party. He just loved me. They were loved by many, but we were their chosen children. Their table was always full of the most colorful cast of characters. Laughing, eating, and drinking. We were truly blessed to have had them in our lives. Pompie and Freddie had our backs. And we had theirs. And we still have Pompies.
Cheers to you, Fred. You are such an important part of my life. Love you and miss you so much.
If you would like to DM me for a consultation on your home on anything I've written about, please let me know; it's what I do. And I would love to help you create a space that's a dreamy space just for you.
[email protected]
561/243-3888

I hope you’ve noticed my gratitude for my work.

I’ve been an artist my whole career, first in fashion, then in interior/exterior fashion. So I’ve always been thankful for the next project, the next opportunity, the next person who trusted me with their home—and for the fellow artists and construction people I get to work alongside. True gifts.

As you can probably tell, networking and marketing were never really my thing. I loved being a local neighborhood designer. I wanted to stay a true artist and not become consumed by the business of interior design.

That mattered to me.

Because while it’s all very practical on the surface, it’s also incredibly exhilarating to design and create.

Designers have to get so many variables right… and that pressure is exactly what makes it exciting. That will be my next topic:
You have to be a little ON THE EDGE to be a great designer.
But I’ll say this… building a female-owned business in a male-dominated world—especially these past years in construction and to design in Florida—wasn’t always easy.

And being an artist in a practical, conservative family?
That added its own layer of humor and challenge.

Still here though.
Still designing.
Still creating.
Still grateful.

Turns out being underestimated builds a pretty strong foundation.

If you would like to DM me for a consultation on your home or on anything I've written about, please let me know; it's what I do. And I would love to help you create a space that's a dreamy space just for you.

[email protected]
561/243-3888

“Renovation and design projects available in Palm Beach County.”

DARK STUFF

People asked me to share stories from my dark past.
And I realized… I don’t think my dark is the darkness people expect.

I think my dark is the dark feminine.

Yes bad.
Yes broken.
Yes dramatic.
I’m all that

It’s the part of me / us that knows when something is off.
The part that sees beneath the surface.
The part that protects, transforms, creates boundaries, and teaches us to trust ourselves.

For a long time I thought my gift was design.
Now I think my gift may actually be helping people understand the balance between the light and dark feminine that lives in all of us. The masculine and feminine that create that soft underbelly that makes a good home. The good stuff.

The light creates beauty, warmth, and invitation.
The dark creates truth, depth, standards, and change.

That's my magic.
That's my currency.

Not just helping clients create beautiful homes—but helping them create spaces and lives that feel more like themselves.
And hopefully… helping you do the same.

If you would like to DM for a consultation on your home or on anything I've written about, please let me know; it's what I do. And I would love to help you create a space that's dreamy space just for you.

[email protected]
561/243-3888

SERIES III
HOW I DESIGN
PART I: LIGHTING IS WHERE THE HOME TURNS ON

Okay… I know I say this a lot.
But lighting really might be my favorite.
This whole series feels like it’s rolling out of me. I think I kept these thoughts inside for so long and now they’re loving coming out.
You can literally kill an interior with the wrong lighting.
Lumens. Watts. Temperature. Voltage. Layers. Rhythm.
I could talk about this forever.

Lighting isn’t decoration.
Lighting is architecture’s emotional language.

And now with all of these open floor plans… where does kitchen lighting begin and family room lighting end?

Our kitchens became living spaces.
Especially in Florida—we prepare, gather, entertain, snack, connect. The kitchen isn’t hidden anymore.
So lighting has to carry people through space without announcing itself.

There are endless ways to intentionally create feelings.

Lighting creates rhythm.
It bounces off fabrics.
Reflects off stone.
Softens wood.
Pulls texture forward.
Creates intimacy.

Before I choose a lighting piece, I ask:
Where do you need light?
How do you move through the space?
What function does it serve?
And most importantly…
How do you want to feel?

Then we design.
Because lighting is powerful.
And if you underestimate it…
You can miss the entire feeling of home.

— Robyn
Robyn Monahan Interiors
robynmonahan.com
561.243.3888

I want to finish up my Movie Series, bc I love this analogy.

HOW I DESIGN
SET DESIGN III

The Lead Actor &
The Supporting Cast

Why does the movie set analogy work so well for me?
Because every great movie has a lead actor and a supporting cast. And a fabulous set design.

The same is true in interior design.

Every focal piece needs supporting pieces. They help the lead make sense. They create balance, context, and beauty. Every placement is intentional. Every supporting character has a role.

And here's the important part:
You are the Producer in this movie. And I am your Set Designer and your Director.

Am I making sense yet?

Over the years, I've learned that what I do goes far beyond "interior design." Yes, I design homes, but I've also watched my clients' lives improve because of the environments I create for them. I get to see this happen in real time. I never went after awards bc I was getting rewarded. When you are busy watching lives change right before my eyes. Kind of doesn't get any better

That's why I'm writing all of this.
Photos only tell you whether you like something or you don't.

I want you to understand why it matters.
I want you to feel why it matters.

I love character actors in movies because they support the lead without competing with them. Their presence makes the story stronger and more meaningful. There is never any confusion about who the star is.

Your home should do the same thing.
Everything in it should support the focal piece.

And every equation is different because every client is different.

One thing I've learned: don't neglect your supporting pieces. These can be doors, crown molding, flooring, cabinetry, yes of course, rugs, pillows, throws, artwork, accessories, flowers, a wreath on the front door—these details matter. They keep a home feeling alive.

I rotate mine seasonally.
I learned that from my mother.
She would choose a color theme for Christmas, and somehow the entire house—and sometimes even her car—would reflect it.
My favorite was her custom blue Monte Carlo with swivel seats. Geez, I took her sense of all things designed well, and I took it for granted, and here she was, a real Design Icon, through and through. Once I was driving, I used her car, how cool was I in Miami…btw, I never saw myself as cool. But looking back, I had a lot of cool around me.….lol

Honestly, there was probably no other path for me than this one.
My mother passed away when I was 31, and she was 61. And for a long time, I pushed the pain down so deeply that I also pushed down many of the memories.

Now those memories are finding their way back.
And that has become one of the unexpected gifts of this journey.

Robyn
Visit me: robynmonahan.com
Or text or call me 561 / 243- 3888

My mom before kids, then with kids...

As a mom, she was great, and she was fun, never boring in my house.
As a woman, she was amazing. I never really saw her like this until now. How lucky was I.

Visit me: robynmonahan.com

SELF-CARE, SOMATIC CARE:
My Real Message

I've always believed self-care begins at home.
Everything begins at home.
Design is somatic happiness. It affects your entire nervous system, your mood, your comfort, and how you experience your life every day. Your home should rise to meet whatever you need and desire. To me, that's true wellness.

We are home more than people have been at any other time in history, and I think that's wonderful. I'm completely in love with my home. We originally bought it as an investment, and 25 years later, we're still here because I adore it.

Whatever self-care looks like for you, create a space for it. A quiet space to stretch. A peaceful spot to drink your water before the day begins. A comfortable chair for your morning coffee. A moment that belongs only to you.

I like to ease into my mornings. I literally wake up an hour early for this. My husband bolts out of bed. It takes me a while to bolt anywhere.

This is where the home benefits from a balance of masculine and feminine energy. Together, this creates harmony.

There is even a practical reason for it. Women tend to appreciate a little more cushioning and comfort. We generally have more curves to meet and support, as well as cushioning. Men with straighter bodies often prefer firmer seating and mattresses. Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. And this is not gender specific. But this is years of experience.

One of my favorite luxuries is having a masseuse come to my home. No traffic. No rushing. No getting back in the car afterward. Just a cucumber, water, relaxation, and nowhere to be.
That's how I switch gears into the weekend mood.

For me, each day starts with a liter of room-temperature water, a few good stretches, and watching my kittens play. It's still one of my favorite parts of the day. Then, of course, coffee.

Another thing to know about me: I love dimmed lighting in a home. Every room in my home can be dimmed—the bathrooms, kitchen, hallways, dining room, all of it. I even dim my computer and phone screens.
It's something I learned years ago in design school. As we age, our vision changes, and colors can appear different. Understanding that made me a better designer by teaching me to see homes through my clients' eyes, not just my own.

Good design is felt.

It's about creating an environment that supports how you want to feel when you wake up every morning. That harmony you put together with the masculine and feminine, this is where you feel it.
You feel your design....
A beautiful start to the day is self-care.� A beautiful home is somatic care.

And as I'm writing this, I'm remembering my mother saying, "Make your bed and make your room pretty, so the rest of your day can go great."

OMG.
She did this to me.

Please visit some of my projects.
robynmonahan.com

SET DESIGN II…

You don’t just buy things.
You buy a VIBE.

Look at Bridgerton — a perfect example of personality through design. Each Matriarch had her own signature vibe. Her own color story. Her own lineage of furnishings and historical pieces. Heavy on the feminine in that era. These homes become part of the family legacy.

Then look at Big Little Lies.
Every woman’s home told you exactly who she was before she even spoke.
Reese Witherspoon’s character — bright, polished, beautiful West Coast energy.
Nicole Kidman’s — cold, rigid, masculine, controlled, feminine.

These are 2 movies that actually had Matriarch-driven stories....so cool and beautifully done.
And produced by women.

And if you’re someone who wants to build a real atmosphere in your home, it helps to work with a Designer.
A good Designer stays professionally objective. We map the emotional rhythm of your life and create a home that beautifully supports it.
Reach out, I would love to help you
Robyn
robynmonahan.com

Next Layer — SET DESIGNER

To know me is to know I love movies and series.
I don’t just watch them… I study them.
The set design.
The lighting.
The mood.
The rhythm of every room.
It puts a spell on me. Maybe it's better if it's my pleasure instead of my work. I always thought my final destination as an artist would be Set Design.

Instead, life made me a Personal Stage Designer.
Your home is your stage.

How it feels affects how you feel.
I need a home to emotionally hold the people living inside it.

Stylize, not accessorize.
Foundational design is both masculine and feminine
Topical is generally more feminine....for me anyhow

Scale changes everything.
Too small and a room feels nervous.
Too much clutter and the energy breaks apart.

But when scale, texture, lighting, and rhythm align…
the house starts telling the story for you.

Like a beautiful film set.
Then comes the soundtrack.
Music tells me who you are faster than almost anything else.

Your EDGE

Some homes feel like jazz.
Some feel cinematic.
Some feel like old records playing softly in another room.
This is why my homes never feel “decorated.”
They feel scored.
Like a film.
Like a scene.
Like a life fully lived inside of it.

Please visit me and let me know how I can help you: robynmonahan.com