For our annual “Home Issue,” Jmore recently caught up with interior designer Randi S. Buergenthal, owner and operator of RSB Interiors.
A Baltimore native, Buergenthal is a past board chair of the JCC of Greater Baltimore and past president of Beth Israel Congregation in Owings Mills. She serves on the board of The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore.
Buergenthal and her husband, John, live in Pikesville and have two adult daughters.
What are some of the hot interior design trends you’re seeing right now?
Color is back, in a deep, saturated way. I also am seeing a lot of organic shapes, from curved sofas to free-form shaped occasional tables. Plants and greenery are also very present. There is a focus on sustainability, including materials like cork, bamboo, recycled wood and renewable materials in furniture. Textures are huge as well, from suede to boucle to rich velvets.
The sleek, clean vignettes that we have all gotten used to are not as present, as we are seeing rooms with a more maximum and “collected” look.
Are there any “hot” colors right now?
Think rich reds and burgundy, deep greens, burnt orange, moody blues and even browns. We are seeing neutrals such as grays and creams used mainly as accent colors — they are not taking center stage like they have been in the past few years.
Any advice on staying true to your own individual style?
While it certainly is fun to create spaces that speak to the latest trends, it is important to remember that trends come and go. Your home should be a well-designed take on your personal tastes and aesthetic.
While interior designers are here to create beautifully designed functional spaces, our job is to create a well-curated aesthetic that will reflect the personality and style of the family or individual we are working with.
Is it possible to decorate well and still be budget-conscious?
Absolutely. It is all about setting a budget, priorities, and being thoughtful and creative. There is nothing wrong with repurposing what you already have — sometimes changing the hardware or giving a well-loved piece a fresh coat of paint, adding interesting trim, or even embellishing a drawer or back of a bookcase with beautiful wallpaper can make a huge difference for very few dollars.
Some of my favorite projects feature beautiful, high-end pieces mixed with a great find at Home Goods or even Target!
How do you feel about decorating an older home in a contemporary style, and vice versa?
I love the juxtaposition of styles. It is important to take into consideration the scale of each room’s architectural details so that the design is not overwhelming. If you want a contemporary look in an older, more traditional home, embrace the architectural features and select furniture with simple lines and muted colors as contrast.
Your accessories should be a blend of both styles in a thoughtful curated way. If you have a modern home but favor a more traditional aesthetic, think about using furniture pieces and rugs that have an intricacy about them, but are not overwhelmingly colorful. In both cases, sticking with a defined color palate throughout will add a cohesive feel to the space and allow you to blend styles.
Statement lighting, including chandeliers and wall sconces, will have a tremendous impact on the overall style, functionality and feel of a room.
Can your home be eclectic and yet particular and singular in style?
Yes. The key is to be intentional. Think about anchoring a room with an eclectic painting or piece of furniture and use it as the focal point and draw inspiration from it when considering the other elements in the room.
Layering is key — think about adding rugs, art, accessories, textures and other furniture pieces that can draw from your focal point. When you are intentional and repeat colors and patterns, your room will become eclectic and make sense.
Any advice for mixing up styles?
I think that a well-designed home can nod to many styles — and create warm, welcoming spaces that add interest and can reflect the homeowner’s personality.
The key is to have balance and a complementary color palate and elements throughout the home, whether it be through color, textures or materials.
Done thoughtfully, an eclectic blending of styles can create a warm, welcoming and personalized home.
How should one negotiate merging styles when decorating a home with a new partner coming from another domicile?
I suggest each person select a few pieces that are important to them and work them into the overall design of a home. Then, look at pieces that you both are open to, and could perhaps be reupholstered, refinished, etc.
The key is to be open with each other and accept the other person’s perspective. And, if you have the space, dedicate a room to each of you so that both partners have a space that reflects their personal taste, while also creating a home that is reflective of the life you are creating together.
How can you avoid being too “matchy-matchy”?
Be creative and confident in your choices! A “matchy-matchy” room is boring and one-dimensional. A room that has complementary colors, patterns, is both interesting and welcoming.
Think about mixing it up — instead of selecting upholstered furniture in the same fabric, use solid and print fabrics that coordinate in different textures. Prefer neutrals? Consider different tones and textures in neutral shades to add interest.
If your sofa has a squared-off back, consider chairs that have rounded features. Think about how your rug can anchor the space. With colorful fabrics, a neutral, cut-pile rug will ground the room and add an interesting layer. And if you prefer neutral fabrics, add a colorful Oushak rug for interest. With beautiful artwork and unique accessories, you will have an interesting, curated space.
Any tips for small spaces?
In a small space,your choices should be well thought out and very intentional. Use a limited color palate and complementary wood tones to create a light and airy feel.
Furniture should be multi-purpose and be careful not to put too many pieces in a room. It is very important to think about storage in small spaces — consider building a window seat with a hidden storage compartment or use your vertical space to add shelving and built-in cabinetry.
When considering window treatments, use light, airy fabrics or think about using roman shades or plantation shutters for a simple, clean, fresh feel. Lighting can help define small spaces, and the addition of wall lighting and ceiling lighting is both efficient and can creates intimacy and character in a small space.
Any predictions about what will be a hot style in the future?
I think that the focus on nature and sustainability is here to stay. I think wellness spaces are going to be more sought after as well. Lately, I have had clients asking about incorporating home saunas into primary bathrooms and home gyms as well as the addition of dedicated rooms or spaces that can be used for yoga or meditation.
It is interesting to see how design trends are reflective of societal trends. I think we are all interested to see what’s next!
Any favorite objects or projects in your own home (or someone else’s)?
My favorite pieces in my home are the things that have meaning to me, such as the abstract paintings and sculptures my artist daughter has made, and furniture pieces that have been in my family. My favorite piece of furniture is a small antique dining table that my in-laws bought when they lived in The Netherlands. It is beautiful inlaid wood and the sides of the table fold down. It is both sentimental and practical — I use it as my desk, but can flip up the sides and use it for extra seating when we entertain. I am also obsessed with a painting my husband and I purchased in Tel Aviv. From a distance it looks like colorful graffiti, but when you really look at it, you can see lots of different abstract faces — to me it reflects the many personalities of the city.
Feelings about clutter and too many tchotchkes?
Less is more! When you have too much clutter it is hard for the eye to focus on the beauty of each piece.
Pick a few of your favorite things and display them thoughtfully. You can always rotate them with other pieces or change them out when you tire of them.
Any favorite spots (physical or virtually) for thrifting?
There are so many! Online I like First Dibs and Chairish. There are great antique stores in downtown Frederick where you can find really unique items.
You never know what you will find at local estate sales, and I have a client who found the most amazing dining room chairs on Facebook Marketplace.
Just remember, anything can be reupholstered, refurbished or refinished!
For information, visit rsbinteriors.com or instagram.com/rsbinteriors.
Since moving in May of 2023, Shifrah and Yossi Green have added their own personal touch to the 132-year-old Victorian home in Sudbrook Park.