Talk Shop: Rhiannon Hageman // Hageman Homes
ABOUT RHIANNON
After the birth of her son, and years of being inspired by decorating, Rhiannon Hageman honed in on her relentless passion for interior design and undertook formal interior design training. With her innate ability to balance elegant and approachable living, Rhiannon creates timeless spaces suited to each client’s home, and has certainly caught our eye lately on Instagram.
A traditionalist at heart, Rhiannon employs a thoughtful and layered mix of color, pattern, antiques, and natural textures as she creates spaces for each client that stand the test of time. She finds inspiration through travel, her children, and the many great designers of the past—all found in the beautiful details of everyday life.
Rhiannon and her husband Travis recently opened their design build firm in Oakville, Ontario. After a wonderfully successful first build, they have had the pleasure of creating for clients on both large and small scale projects. Embracing the pillars of traditional design with heritage craftsmanship, Hageman Homes offers a turnkey experience for their clients. This husband and wife team balances beautifully, and is one to watch; building beautiful spaces with elegant style and attention to functionality, their homes are timeless. We spoke with the designer about all things interiors; check it out below!
Describe your style in three words or less:
Timeless, approachable, layered
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
My mother - her beautiful way of living an elegant and refined life, balanced with the most approachable, inviting and welcoming home. Beautiful things were never untouchable but rather embraced and enjoyed.
My paternal grandmother - her love for ironed sheets, antiques, formality, china and everything from her British heritage.
Traveling as a young girl to England to visit family and then exploring Europe, and each unique culture.
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
I have always been very creative, and dreamt of motherhood as a young girl. After dropping out of theatre school and marrying my husband who was in construction, we dreamed of opening a design build firm. I quickly realized that I needed a creative outlet and had always loved design. I pursued my formal training, while Travis continued his career in construction, and we had a young son. We decided to build a home together and assemble an incredible team to learn from. I project managed the entire build while Travis kept his career and it was an invaluable lesson to walk on site every day humble, yet eager to learn. That year we gave birth to a beautiful daughter, designed and built the home and started our company - It was madness! Shortly after, client work began and we have enjoyed the highs and lows ever since!
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
When I told my mother’s interior designer, who has known me since I was a young girl, that we were considering opening a design build firm, she said, “Well of course you are honey, you wanted to choose your own wallpaper at 3 years old!” She has been pivotal in training my eye for classic details and a refined, yet approachable home. She always included me in meetings with my mother and I now appreciate that very generous gift, as it is no surprise to anyone that I was a very opinionated 3 year old.
What does your home say about you:
We live in a small old house right Downtown Oakville that is steps from the lake. It’s a charming home with character and I have loved putting our touch on it. We have two young children, and lots of beautiful things. I was taught as a young girl to care for what we have been blessed with and want my children to learn that too. Home is so important to me. I want our children, family and friends to always feel welcomed and loved here.
Where do you find inspiration:
Friends, Family, The Past, Travel
Who are your style icons:
Aerin Lauder, and my son Henry - who somehow, no matter what he has on, is effortlessly chic
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Lots of flowers, beautiful food (prepared well in advance), great music and even better company. Taking the time to enjoy being with those you love in whatever way that looks. Hospitality is something I learned from my mother and have always immensely enjoyed. Once all the fuss is aside though, you just want people to feel welcomed and loved in your home.
Do you collect anything:
Beautiful childrenswear, shoes, my grandmother's antiques of all shapes and sizes
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
@amylberry, @markdsikes, @caitlingeierfisher, @roman_and_ivy
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
Both my husband and I have a very passionate love for symmetry and scale. That being said, I have quite a rebellious spirit by nature and love to break a rule...
What are you working on right now:
We are about to start our next design/build in Historic Oakville, which is an incredible white house - a Georgian colonial. It is much larger than our first build, a true family home, and we are so delighted. Part of the joy I find in spec homes is that I am the client and can design whatever my heart desires - which is often lots of blue and white, wallpaper and very classic details. We have multiple projects large and small on the go which we are very thankful for!
I must give an honourable mention to my incredible sister Shaunna - who as our project manager keeps everything moving and is an integral part of our team. She carried me through our first build, coming from an events background her organizational skills are unmatched and I am grateful every day for her love, encouragement, and support! Our clients adore Shaunna as she truly is the most organized person I have ever met.
Wardrobe staples:
Chanel flats, AG or Brock denim, GAP white t shirts and some sort of jacket or knit! That or a beautiful dress
Favorite fabric/wallpaper:
Wallpaper - Gracie
Fabric - Anything floral but specifically - Bowood Colefax and Fowler. Our bed is done in this gorgeous floral and I enjoy it every single day!
Best interior advice you ever received:
You are creating a home for your client. Get to know your client, their loves, their lifestyle, earn their trust. The most satisfying client work is when they become like dear old friends and you have the pleasure of creating together.
Best career advice you ever received:
My father is the hardest working man in the entire world. His pillars are - integrity, kindness to others and good old fashioned hard work. I can only dream of a career like his and respect him immensely.
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
Invest in things that endure; investment doesn’t have to revolve around the cost though. It is a luxury to be surrounded by the things you truly love each day.
Save on sisal rugs - They work in just about any space!
Your greatest extravagance:
Beautiful photography of my children, time alone with my husband.
Favorite places to shop for home:
Atelier Collection has the most lovely selection of curated vintage art that I have just loved filling our home with lately.
I love a layered look in each room of our small home, and so my favourite things often are fabrics that we will use to make special pieces.
Most prized possession and why:
My wedding band. Working together as a husband and wife team is a wonderful, challenging, and humbling experience. It has taken us some time to find a balance but I will always be incredibly grateful to God for the life He has blessed me with and my wedding ring is a great reminder of this.
Your interiors motto:
Balance a beautiful, refined life with wonderful approachability.
Your life motto:
Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Be kind to others, always.
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
Search, edit, rip out, pin, save, highlight and repeat, until you find what you love. Allow yourself to evolve!
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: Steak frites
Drink: Chilled diet coke, no ice with a lime wedge
Film: One Day or Father of the Bride
Hotel: Montpellier Inn
City: London
Bedding: D. Porthault, Serena and Lily also makes some wonderful bedding!
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Tall skinny vanilla latte, but I will never ever finish a drink
Playlist: Jazz with our children at dinnertime or Nancy Meyer’s Kitchen
Weekend Activity: time with my children, up at our family lake home, with no plans and no phones
Design Book: Mark Sikes More Beautiful tied with everything G.P. Schafer has ever created!
