Talk Shop: Riley Sheehey // C’est Riley
ABOUT RILEY
Riley Sheehey’s career as an artist began in the summer of 2014, after a good friend asked if she'd be interested in designing a custom watercolor invitation suite for her upcoming wedding. In June 2017, Riley left her elementary school teaching career to pursue freelance art full-time. Riley specializes in watercolor illustration, but also loves finding new surfaces to paint on (seashells, ribbon, and picnic baskets, to name a few) with acrylics. Her style is whimsical and feminine; she is most inspired by interior design, fashion, and architecture – but she's always open to new opportunities to create things that make people smile. Riley lives and works in Falls Church, Virginia with her husband and their (very cute) pomeranian, Stevie.
We love Riley’s work for so many reasons, but mostly because it has a liveliness and joy to it that makes us smile. We also love her Instagram, where she shows behind the scenes of all the new projects she’s working on – which is how we recently found her gorgeous seashell collection! We commissioned a shell with a patching ribbon painted with a pattern from Gracie Studio by Riley, and we cannot wait to frame it! We sat down with the talented artist to chat all things design – have a look below!
Describe your style in three words or less:
Feminine & whimsical.
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
My grandmother- my dad’s mom was the most glamorous person I have ever known. She had a great appreciation for beautiful things, and loved to share them with the people that she loved. When I look at old photos of her from when she was my age (over 60 years ago), I think about how I wish I dressed/looked like her today
Old things- I love history, and have always loved old books, movies, photos, ads, etc. If I’m ever stuck on a project for inspiration, it helps me to look backwards!
Pattern- I love all types of patterns- in fashion, interior design, architecture, etc.
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
I started painting with watercolors and selling my artwork online in 2014, while on summer vacation from teaching, and a few months in, a friend asked me to help her design her wedding invites. After that, momentum slowly started to pick up with custom orders (usually wedding work/portraiture), and eventually, I was able to take my business full-time in 2017, and am hiring my first employee this month. My work has changed a lot from when I first started (I mainly sell original artwork and prints now, while working with a few brands throughout the year on collaborations), but the one thing that hasn’t changed is that I love to make things. The “making” and creating part is always my favorite part.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
I do not, but I have benefited from the unwavering support of my friends and family from the beginning. Even when what I was making wasn’t very good, they made me believe that it was, which made me keep going.
What does your home say about you:
That I am far from perfect- ha! Our couch is currently held up by a stack of books- we were going to buy a new one before COVID, but have kind of pressed pause on everything home-related during this time (there are things we’d love to do, though, as soon as things start to return to normal!)
Where do you find inspiration:
Ironically (since my home is far from where I would like it to be!!)- interior design and tablescapes. I love unexpected mixes of pattern and color, and most of my saved photos on Instagram and Pinterest relate somehow to interior design. I also love old photos- I used to collect old National Geographic issues, but left them for the new art teacher for collages when I left my teaching job
Who are your style icons:
My grandmother.
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Great drinks and food (+ my husband- he owns a BBQ company, and is a great cook)
Do you collect anything:
Yes! Blue and white china plates and vases.
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
@torimellott, @matildagoad, @cutterbrooksshop, and @sisterparishdesign are my favorites right now (and, of course, @arielokin!)
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
I don’t know if there are any art/design rules that I follow, other than to try your best to do your own thing. Meant to be broken- “less is more” (in most cases, I disagree)
What are you working on right now:
I have a couple of things coming up over the next few months that I am really excited about/have been working hard on, including a potential tabletop capsule collection. I can’t wait to share more!
Wardrobe staples:
Flowy patterned dresses.
Best interior advice you ever received:
You don’t need to (and probably shouldn’t) do it all at once – good things take time.
Best career advice you ever received:
Learn how to say “no” to some things so that you can make room for better things.
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
Invest- anything you sit or sleep on (sofa, bed, linens); save- rugs and furniture/items like tables/desks/lamps that you can get second-hand.
Your greatest extravagance:
Audiobooks.
Favorite places to shop for home:
Thrift stores and antique shops- there are a ton of great ones in northern VA. My long term goal is to eventually replace most of the things I panic-bought when we bought our house with heirloom furniture.
Most prized possession and why:
A picnic basket my husband gifted me when he proposed, and I later hand-painted.
Your interiors motto:
Decorating is a marathon, not a sprint.
Your life motto:
Work hard, be kind, and stay curious always.
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
Be patient- save money and do a lot of research. Make thoughtful, deliberate purchases over time (all things I am working on myself).
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: Pizza
Drink: Garibaldi from Dante NYC
Film: Big Fish
Hotel: The Arrow Hotel in Arrowtown, NZ
City: NYC
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Coffee- black
Bedding: Hill House
Playlist: Fleetwood Mac, Joni Mitchell, 10,000 Maniacs, The Cranberries
Weekend Activity: Painting! Weekends are my favorite time to paint because I don’t feel pressured to paint anything work-related
Design Book: Sister Parish Design: On Decorating
