Talk Shop: Robyn Bailey // Mainly Baskets Home
About Robyn
Mainly Baskets Home was founded in 1977 by Thomas Hayes, Interior Designer & Antique Dealer who saw the opportunity to design and import handmade, unique home accessories and baskets (thus the name) for the local design trade in Atlanta, GA. In October 2006, Charles and Robyn Bailey (CPA and Marketing Executive respectively) acquired Mainly Baskets Home, keeping the expert team in place who had molded the company into a thriving business. In August 2016, Robyn officially stepped out of Corporate America and into Mainly Baskets Home full time to lead the company after a 30 year marketing career. Robyn’s vision brings an eye for designs with a new and transitional appeal that integrates a mixed media of textures and materials such as wood, metal, iron, bangkwang and more to the existing classic line of rattan.
The now all-female-led company brings love, care, passion, and attention to detail in every facet of the business. They are dedicated to using sustainably harvested raw materials while offering fully custom sizes, designs, colors, and fabrics of the highest of quality. The brand is the go-to source for hand-woven furniture and home accessories and is a favorite amongst interior designers nationwide. Enjoy this Talk Shop with Robyn!
Describe your style in three words or less:
Casual Traditional with a smidge of Coastal.
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
My mom - she had an incredible natural eye for design and showed me how to live in a beautiful space that was welcoming and family oriented. I am the youngest of seven, which you would think might mean a very plain and functional type of home decor but ours was always decorated with style and class.
The beach - we spent our summers in Ponte Vedra Beach at our family’s second home which is where I fell in love with all things blue and white - especially white. I use a lot of white in my house and wear a lot of white.
Birds - I’ve always loved art and decor with birds. Possibly because my 6 older siblings convinced me “bird” was part of my middle name since my name was Robyn LOL. I have birds throughout my house whether it be on wall art, dinnerware or as part of my bookshelf decor. I feel peace and hope when I see birds flying outside and want to bring that same joy into my home.
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
The company actually started in 1977! My husband had the vision to buy Mainly Baskets in 2006 but was only involved as the financier - neither of us was involved in the day-to-day operation. I spent 30 years in Corporate America as a marketing executive in the restaurant space (ie. VP Marketing Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen; CMO Huddle House) and in 2016 decided to step out and run Mainly Baskets. The company had basically fallen asleep, to be honest (after coming through the housing crash in ‘08-’09) and it was time to either sell off remaining inventory and close the doors or see if it still had life in it. I knew with the quality of the product and the fact that it survived the housing crash without any business leadership it was worth giving it another chance.
My favorite thing? I have been given the opportunity to have a second career and not only bring the company back to where it was at its “heyday” but far beyond what it ever was before. I love the product, the rattan, and the art of wicker. I actually started my career right out of college in graphic design so this has given me the outlet to feed my creative side through product design and interiors. I love that I feel like I’m living out my mother’s dream as she was so talented in interior design but never pursued it whatsoever. I love building the company and the team to support it. It’s absolutely mind-boggling to me that when I came on board I had 2 employees and we now have 11. It’s incredible to walk into the office and everything is buzzing. I love working the trade shows and seeing our clients and hearing how they used our products in their vision - the projects and ideas are simply amazing and endless!
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
I wouldn’t say mentor but I would say inspiration: My dad who loved working so much I think he retired 2 or 3 times but just couldn’t stop wanting to work more. He taught me the best work ethic and gave me the business mind and curiosity to always figure out what can make things better/what’s next.
What does your home say about you:
Haha, our home says we are busy people because there is a lot of coming and going all the time! We are a blended family and have five grown children and now our first grandbaby. We are empty nesters but there is always family visiting and since we are a big group, so an open floor plan was a must. I use a lot of blue and white - but mostly white. I absolutely love white and of course, anything woven! I have something we have designed at MBH in most every room. With all of the white, the woven natural rattan warms everything up. I hope my home says “Come on in and stay for a while!”.
Where do you find inspiration:
In design and historic books, movies and of course instagram.
Who are your style icons:
Mark D. Sikes for the way he mixes and layers patterns, textures, and fabric. It’s mesmerizing. I would never be able to accomplish anything close to that. I love love love Ralph Lauren - tailored, crisp, classic, and clean.
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Great friends, good wine, and at some point bring out the dance music!
Do you collect anything:
Just lots of great memories with my family.
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
Oh gosh - soooo many. Of course my client’s first!
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
Do what you like, you’re the one living in it.
What are you working on right now:
We have three collaborations we are working on that we are super excited about. I can’t say who they are at this point but think West Palm Beach and California.
Wardrobe staples:
Crisp white shirt, blue jeans, and Ann Mashburn shoes.
Favorite fabric/wallpaper:
If I had to say one, it would be several of the Quadrille designs. I don’t have any in my house right now but I want to. I need an interior designer!
Best interior advice you ever received:
If you fall in love with a piece or a specific design, buy it and build around it.
Best career advice you ever received:
Do something that makes you happy so it doesn’t feel like a job.
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
Invest in lighting.
Save on your main living furniture - you want to be able to feel like you can live in it and not worry about anyone getting something on it. And that includes my white couch!
Your greatest extravagance:
So far, we took our entire family to Hawaii for Christmas last year. Best time ever and worth every penny. I treasure the family memories more than anything.
Favorite places to shop for home:
All over the place. I love estate sales.
Most prized possession and why:
My mother’s wedding ring. Again, not home-oriented but very sentimental.
Your interiors motto:
White is a color.
Your life motto:
Work hard, play hard and always be grateful.
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
I think your style is expressed best in how you dress. You know what colors and lines are most flattering that you feel the best in - use the same approach to your house and you can’t go wrong. If that is completely unique and doesn’t fall into a defined “style” who cares. You’re the one living your life so do it for yourself.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: Mexican
Drink: Margaritas
Film: Right now - the new Elvis movie
Hotel: The Cloister, Sea Island, GA
City: New York (never been to Rome or Venice but imagine they will be my favorite when I do go)
Bedding: I recently bought a beautiful set from Poetic Pillow and love it - it looks like a piece of art
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Coffee with French Vanilla creamer
Playlist: Jack Johnson in the morning, Blake Shelton in the afternoon, and Michael Buble at night
Weekend Activity: Honestly? Right now it’s pretty much all work. My husband and I are work-a-holics at least for now but when we aren’t working we are spending time with friends and family at the house either by the pool or on the screened-in porch. I grew up in Oklahoma and no one (at least that I knew) had porches so it’s about my most favorite “southern” thing to do. - especially with some good music and a nice glass of wine.
Design Book: Beautiful and More Beautiful by Mark D. Sikes