I’ve been a longtime admirer of McKenna Bleu, not just for her vibrant style but for the warmth and authenticity she brings to everything she does. Over the years, I’ve watched her journey from fashion to home design, and it’s been inspiring to see how she’s made each space truly her own. I’m excited to share this conversation with my friend McKenna, where she opens up about her design process, the joys and challenges of renovating her home, and what’s next on her creative horizon.
xo Meg
(Photo Credit: McKenna Bleu)
CC: We have been longtime followers here at Cailini Coastal, but can you tell our readers a bit more about your background and how you got started in your career?
MB: I started as a full time Aveda Stylist who had aspirations to channel my fashion and creativity somewhere on the side which is what led me to start McKenna Bleu over 10 years ago. The brand has evolved like most things, leading me through my adventurous travels days, colorful fashion styles, to where it has landed today. Grounded in the southern style, raising babies, and renovating our forever 1950’s home.
CC: What inspired you to start sharing your interior design on Instagram and your blog?
MB: I’ve always had an eye for interior design so sharing how I was making our house our home was an easy fit for me to share.
(Photo Credit: McKenna Bleu)
CC: Can you describe your design aesthetic and how it has evolved over the years?
MB: I have always loved the light and airy coastal design aesthetic but I’ve definitely learned to appreciate quality when it comes to pieces I select for our home. I am a very minimal girl, finding the balance of warm and welcoming but simplistic is key for me.
CC: What are your top three favorite design trends right now?
MB: I love the use of white oak, from furniture selections to ceiling accents, it's a beautiful way to add texture and warmth to our coastal feel. Mixed metals- touches of brass gold paired with polished nickel in a shared space makes the design feel fresh- like why pick a favorite when you can have both! Wallpaper! Nothing transforms a space more than a beautiful wallpaper- a trend I can not get enough of!
(Photo Credit: McKenna Bleu)
CC: We know you've been completely renovating your home (and it looks amazing!) room by room. What were the first spaces you worked on when you moved in? What was the hardest space and why? What was your favorite space to renovate? Are there any spaces left you're still working on?
MB: When we purchased this home from the original owner a few years back we knew it would be something special but every last thing needed to be touched. We made a list of priorities and knew it would be a marathon not a sprint in terms of budgeting and getting it all done. The kitchen was first on our list, we completely opened up the space as it was the heart of our home. This set the tone and feel for all the other projects to come. Since we are situated on a golf course we have a beautiful view but had no room to enjoy it so next we added a patio which we enjoy throughout so many seasons here in NC.
CC: Were there any challenges or surprises you faced during the renovation process?
MB: Renovating while living in a house on top of being pregnant and bringing new babies home in the middle of a reno isn’t highly recommended but we survived through each one and knew it would be worth it in the end. We typically take a year or two between each big renovation we do just to give ourselves time to live in the space. This has also been the biggest lesson as the time we’ve lived in this home the more it helps us realize how it functions for our everyday lifestyle and what we could do to improve our home and how it works for us. Opposed to doing it all at once then looking back once you're living in it and realizing all the things you would do differently.
(Photo Credit: McKenna Bleu)
CC: Any tips for those working on a larger-scale renovation without the support of a designer?
MB: Phone a friend, everyone has someone who loves to chat interior design. I love helping my friends and family revamp their home even if its added new throw pillows. I would say hone in on what your style is, look at Pintrest and IG and save everything that catches your eye. Narrow down your style and that will help you create a cohesive feel to our home.
CC: Where do you find inspiration for your home decor projects?
MB: I follow so many talented interior designers on IG who I find so inspirational. I save lots of images and when it comes to creating my own space I like to pull ideas from saved files to help me find a starting place.
(Photo Credit: McKenna Bleu)
CC: Can you share a recent project you’ve worked on that you’re particularly proud of?
MB: We most recently renovated our master bathroom. Let me tell you the before and after is wild! We took two bathrooms and created one large dreamy space. This was my first go at a bathroom project so I was so proud of how it turned out. I wanted it to be timeless and I think I achieved that with my material selections. A space we will love for years to come.
(Photo Credit: McKenna Bleu)
CC: How do you approach designing a room from scratch? Do you have a specific process or set of steps you follow?
MB: I am a visual girl. I create a mood board for pretty much everything in my life. Photoshoot clothing boards to interior design. I love being able to add items that catch my eye and plug them into my mood board to see how they will with each other, I keep switching things up and it feels right then use that for my guide to make it come to life.
(Photo Credit: McKenna Bleu)
CC: What advice do you have for someone looking to refresh their home?
MB: Choose a place to start and only focus on that until you love it. It’s easy to get overwhelmed, people start shopping for 4 different rooms because they want to change it all but your mind needs to focus on one project at a time. Make sure you absolutely love everything about that space then move to the next area.
CC: What’s next for you? Do you have any exciting projects or collaborations coming up that you can share with us?
MB: The next project we’ve been talking through for a few years is our mudroom room and family room. We want to fully renovate what is now my husband's “man cave” to our large family room. We have a large extended family who are local so we want a place where everyone can come as they are and enjoy football season and holidays in one cozy space. This includes a bar of course! I dream of a vaulted white oak ceiling but we will see if that happens, fingers crossed!
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