The Fine-Art Approach

Designer taps wealth of local talent to customize spaces

By: Carolyn Kemmett

“They went for a pinky-purple, but I had my heart set on periwinkle,” interior designer Jennifer Smith lovingly laments. She’s remembering the weekend she went away, as a kid, with the understanding that her parents would be repainting her room a purple shade to complement the comforter she wanted. 

“That right there makes me think I should have known earlier I was destined for this career.” 

Today, however, Smith happily calls the shots as the founder of Jennifer Smith Design, a full-service firm where she offers clients ultra-personalized help — while imparting her signature touch of whimsy and curated beauty. Smith assists with selecting wall finishes; creating custom lighting plans; managing space plans; choosing furniture, rugs, and art; and more. She’s also created a niche sourcing fine art for her clients’ homes from the superfluity of talent in the local arts scene. 

Interior design wasn’t your first calling …

I have a Master’s in Education and a teaching background. I also have three kids, and one of my children lives with disabilities, so going back to teaching at a certain point no longer worked. I needed flexibility during the day. It’s like God just laid this job in my lap.

How did you veer in the direction of design?

I wasn’t prepared or necessarily looking, but I had some women over to my house and one declared, “I’ve bought a home in Biltmore Forest and you’re going to design it — here’s how we’ll do it!” I started slow because I wanted to serve each client really well, and expansion happened naturally. … My eye also developed through renovating our own homes over the years. 

How do you build good chemistry with clients?

My education background comes in handy because there’s lots of learning involved in working with clients. I need to counsel them on not just the aesthetic implications of their decisions, but the practical ones. For example, we must be strategic about choosing a kitchen surface that can take the heat — literally — if we’re considering a countertop that extends behind a big six-burner cooktop. 

I love working with a mixture of new-build and renovation clients, but also enjoy helping people refresh a space in their home that never quite came together. Giving a room new life with fresh furniture, light fixtures, and other finishes is transformative. 

It sounds like you also love learning about your clients.

Very true. The best client experience to me is to simply spend time with them — learn about what they love and what works with their lifestyle. … Reviewing images together helps me understand their preferences, too. Pictures are helpful because sometimes language and design terms get confusing, or they’re too subjective. 

What’s something that may surprise readers about your work?

I like to think bigger in terms of scale, using larger pieces but fewer of them in a space. This changes the project entirely and is a simple way to inject a luxe feeling and more impact.

How did you start the art-consultation arm of your business?

In my opinion, if you’re a designer, you really can’t be in Asheville without immersing yourself in our wonderful community of local artists. Asheville has a reputation as an arts city, but I was amazed by the sea of artists here. I saw the same quality of art that you would in larger cities, for sure. 

I was used to commissioning pieces, but then I helped design the Fern Leaf Community Charter School and connected with local painter Moni Hill. Her vision was that Asheville’s artists needed someone in their corner promoting them to help put Asheville art in homes here.

At first, I felt too busy, but we continued talking and I couldn’t let go of this idea. I was navigating Asheville’s arts community to help find the perfect pieces for my design clients anyway. Moni and I kept talking, visited studios, and she guided me over about six months. It was wonderful.

I’ve developed rich relationships with artists where I can pop into their studios to see what they’re working on. It’s inspiring being around all these creatives, and it’s easier now to help clients choose local art to support their existing collection.

Design-wise, do you see Asheville as having a style all its own?

I’d classify it as modern and organic. And it hasn’t quite hit Asheville yet, but nationally, color-drenched spaces — think painted ceilings and wallpaper — are hot. We’ll see if this trend migrates here. 

Jennifer Smith Design, Asheville, 828-214-5053,  jennifersmith.design.