Born in an ambulance on the Olgiati Bridge and raised on Signal Mountain, Allwyn Schmissrauter's style is timeless and breathtaking. We had the privilege of learning more about Allwyn, a wife, new mother, and manger of IT Transformation at Unum during our interview.
In a world of fast style trends, how do you stay true to your personal style while staying fresh and current?
Every day we see a new "must have" item on social media, but when we see those items, it’s important to stay true to yourself and understand that you don’t always need the "in" item. It’s important to be able to take items in your closet and style them multiple ways—ways that look fresh and current. Almost everything that goes "out of style" will eventually come back in style, so I try to avoid buying everything 'new' that catches my eye. Knowing your core style will ultimately determine if the fast style trend in question will suit your personal style.
Style is often seen as a form of self-expression. How does your style reflect your personality and values?
When styling my day to day wear, I normally gravitate towards neutral minimalist options. Minimalist style with nice accessories tend to make me feel my most confident, while also being comfortable. I style my home in the same way. I stick to neutral tones, and minimalist items, while adding interest with the pieces I use to style the furniture. I hope that when people walk into my house they feel a sense of calm and comfort without anything being too overbearing.
How do you approach mixing high-end pieces with more affordable finds? Any tips for achieving a balanced and stylish look on any budget?
I'd say my clothing style is quite similar to how I choose to style my home. I like to mix basics with high-end items. With clothing, I like to start an outfit with a simple base, but then add higher-end accessories like jewelry, shoes or a bag. Similarly, with my home, I like to find affordable antique furniture as the base for a room then spend on higher-end items to style the pieces. I think it's important to understand that not everything you own has to be expensive. You can very well achieve an amazing look while wearing an expensive gown with gold hoops from Amazon. I'd recommend deciding what you value most in your style and spending your money there.
Style can be empowering. How does your style empower you, and how do you hope it inspires others in your community?
Confidence, authenticity, comfort and versatility are four ways that my style empowers me. Feeling confident in clothes that fit well and resonate with my personal taste empowers me to be my best self. Choosing outfits that reflect my authentic self empowers me to stay true to myself. Prioritizing comfort helps me feel at ease and stress-free. Versatility allows me to adapt to various roles and occasions effortlessly which empowers me to always feel prepared. These four things are possible for everyone in the community and I hope it empowers everyone to reach their full potential. Similarly, I hope that showing how I style my home empowers others to style their home in a way that makes them happy as well. There is nothing better than coming home to something you are proud of.
What do you look for when choosing new pieces to add to your collection?
Will the piece last longer than one season and still be in style? As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that this question is probably the most important to me. I no longer choose to invest in pieces that don’t meet those two criteria. It is not practical to constantly replace items, so I try to focus on building a collection that is timeless and high-quality along with adding items that can compliment something I already have in my closet.
What are some of your favorite local places to shop?
My favorite places to shop for antique furniture are Dirty Jane’s and The Refinery. Both of these stores have such a wide variety of antique items that you’re sure to find something you’ll love. For clothing, Chattanooga Shoe Company is one of my favorites. They have so many different styles that can be worn every day or dressed up for a special occasion.
Follow Allwyn's home design journey on Instagram at: @aschmisshome.
Will the piece last longer than one season and still be in style? As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that this question is probably the most important to me.
Confidence, authenticity, comfort and versatility are four ways that my style empowers me. Feeling confident in clothes that fit well and resonate with my personal taste empowers me to be my best self.