Talk Shop: Coley Hull // Coley Home
ABOUT COLEY
Coley Hull started the North Carolina-based brand Coley Home after being frustrated with furnishing her own NYC apartment (think long lead times, expensive shipping, and difficult assemblies), and wanted to find a way to provide a quick production turnaround on headboards and beds with easy shipping & assembly. Today, the company allows customers to design their own furniture items - offering diverse fabrics from the finest mills around the globe and a variety of frames - from sofas to side chairs, headboards to ottomans. The direct-to-consumer approach allows Coley Home to offer luxury products at affordable price points, without sacrificing quality and care. Through the Quick Ship Program, they've created a collection of 28 custom pieces that will ship in 10 days from online order. All other items ship within six weeks—how amazing! We loved sitting down with Coley to hear about her start, her favorite spots to shop for furniture (besides Coley Home), and more. Enjoy!
Describe your style in three words or less:
Comfortable, Happy, and Timeless
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
My Mom, The time I spent in New York City, and Travel
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
While living in New York I realized how hard it was to get high quality upholstered furniture fast. I was living in a tiny walk up building with several roommates, and my bedroom was the only space that was truly mine. The mattress in a box concept made it easy to get a mattress, but what about a stylish bedframe and headboard? After 6 months of testing foam and buying a giant compression machine, we launched Coley Home with our signature bed-in-a-box concept, The Crown Bed!
Like everything in life, building a brand takes time and we have had several bumps in the road, but I am so proud of my team and how much we have grown in just 3 years! My favorite thing about my job is watching our ideas come to life! It is like Christmas day when we have product development reviews.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
My Mom- Growing up I watched her do all of the merchandising for another furniture brand and I always wanted to do exactly what she did! She is an expert in the industry and I could not do this without her.
What does your home say about you:
Come on in, don’t worry about a thing, and have fun!
I love for people to feel comfortable bringing their children and dogs over. I never want my home to feel like a showroom. I like for it to feel lived in and full of memories and fun times together.
Where do you find inspiration:
I feel like I find most of my inspiration from travel. Historic Hotels are always very inspiring to me. I also love to see the new fabric introductions each season. Last season a new linen and mohair color really jump-started our inspiration for the entire collection.
Who are your style icons:
Olivia Palermo has always been a style crush- She can do no wrong!
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Margaritas!
Do you collect anything:
I love to collect China and glassware from vintage stores! I recently went into the Snob Shop in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and found some of the most beautiful china! If you are ever near Winston-Salem be sure to stop in.
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
@kellywearstler, @osmoseme, @sarahbartholomewdesign, @kitkempdesignstudio
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
Follow- Scale is very important and can make or break a room. Make sure the furniture is in the right proportion to the room.
Break- Modern and traditional can live in the same space. You just have to pull it all together through color - rooms are much more layered and interesting with a taste of both styles.
What are you working on right now:
We are setting up our new showroom in Charlotte, NC! We are hoping to open our doors early January. Please stop by if you’re ever in the area!
Wardrobe staples:
Rachel Comey Jeans, Gucci Slides, and my St Laurent Crossbody.
Favorite fabric/wallpaper:
Fabric - The Swiss White from Coley Home
Wallpaper- La foret de chantilly by Pierre Frey
Best interior advice you ever received:
Try to stay away from trends! Keep it timeless and something you won’t get tired of in a few years.
Best career advice you ever received:
It's never a straight road! Always be ready to listen and pivot.
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
Invest- Antiques and well-made furniture!
Save- Carpets and items that easily get ruined by dogs and kids!
Your greatest extravagance:
Traveling with my husband! Nothing better than a relaxing getaway with just him.
Favorite places to shop for home:
Charish, Etsy, and I love to antique on Dixie Highway! Circa Who is a personal favorite.
Most prized possession and why:
My Irene Neuwirth Frenchie Necklace! My husband gave it to me for my 30th birthday and it is a hand-painted portrait of our precious dog Biggie!
Your interiors motto:
Keep it comfortable!
Your life motto:
Everyday is a gift! Enjoy it.
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
You can only learn from doing, so try new things! Some will work and some won’t. Over time your style will become more defined, but hopefully will always be evolving and changing with the times.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: Sushi
Drink: Margarita
Film: The new Cruella with Emma Stone
Hotel: The Crosby Street Hotel
City: New York City
Bedding: Coley Home Bedding! So sad we are almost sold out.
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Dirty Chai Tea Latte with ginger!
Playlist: Mood Boosters on Spotify
Weekend Activity: Hanging out with my family
Design Book: Anything by Kit Kemp