Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/440144
A driven and creative spirit from the beginning, Rae McConville carefully seeks out her life opportunities the same way she scours antique shops, consignment stores, flea markets and estate sales for unique pieces of art and furniture—with purpose, savvy and imagination. She is the artistic brains behind the decorating firm Rae McConville Interiors in Mobile, Alabama. How she got here is a story only she could write. Rae first cultivated her natural passion for design and keen sense of style while working for the editorial departments at Harper's Bazaar and InStyle magazine. When she joined HGTV magazine as home editor, she applied the inspiration she procured from the fashion world and what she knew about exterior beauty to interiors. And her creative know-how? Well that came naturally. 4 P&L Color Expressions Rae finding Today, she brings together the skills of a decorator, the mind of a home editor and the imagination of a designer. That's how she shaped the unique point of view that drives her current business, embracing an "editor for hire" approach. Rae works to bring new and exciting ideas to every project, and she's also been known to bring something from the past—something she likely picked up at an antique, second-hand store, estate sale or the like. Rae admits it. She has a thing for thrifting, or "thriftiquing" as she likes to call it. It started in college when she was tasked with decorating her student apartment. She spent the summer searching for perfection, ultimately spending under $500 to decorate the whole place. She was hooked, loving "the rush" she got from coming across a one-of-a-kind item that seemed to be waiting just for her. "Destiny plays a big part in thriftiquing," she says. "That unique piece may not have been on display yesterday, and it could just as easily end up in someone else's hands tomorrow. And it's funny how often one of these special jewels becomes the touch that pulls everything in the room together." This is her hobby and her passion, as well as part of her job. She makes a trip to her favorite stores at least once a week, browsing for inspiration or looking for specific pieces for clients. A typical day shopping can be very hit or miss. "But," she says, "I always know I've found something special as soon as I pick it up and think I can't leave without it." Her favorite find is a bamboo dining table. "I almost didn't get it because I was traveling and the seller didn't want to hold it for me." But as fate would have it, it was still available at the end of her trip. "I went to get it directly from the airport and it's the best $80 I ever spent." Sure, Rae loves searching for the pieces that speak to her directly but she's always in touch with what her clients want, channeling their personalities when she's searching far and wide for the perfect accompaniment to their spaces. For her, it's about making a house a home—for someone else, who deserves a piece of happiness and comfort. Rae has several tips and tricks for thriftiquing. But she notes "the most important thing is to have some fun." Photo courtesy of TRP Studio