The people we surround ourselves with often shape our path, and for Becky Smith of The Linen Duck, her parents provided an early immersion into the world of home design. Becky recalls how her mother meticulously decorated each house as if it were their permanent home, only for her father, a custom home builder, to sell it and move on to the next project. With a childhood spent moving throughout Williamson County, the rhythm of building and designing became second nature to her, setting the stage for a lifelong passion in interior design.
Smith's professional journey in interior design began in Charleston, South Carolina, where she collaborated with her husband, Tye Smith, who was a general contractor specializing in custom homes. Her talent quickly gained recognition, and she cultivated a discerning clientele over the next 20 years, with her work highlighted in Charleston Home Magazine. In 2010, Smith and her family had an opportunity to move back to Tennessee. Wanting to spend more time at home, she shifted her focus to homeschooling her children, while interior design projects remained a side venture.
It was the complete renovation and rebranding of a local interior home store that propelled Smith into her next chapter. With encouragement from her family in 2018, she launched The Linen Duck, an interior design boutique in Columbia. However, The Linen Duck is more than just a furniture store. “It offers a truly distinctive experience,” Smith says.
On the ground floor, The Linen Duck offers a full-service design center where clients receive expert guidance. “Most people have a vision for their space, but aren’t sure how to bring it all together,” says Smith. This is where her team steps in, using tailored design questionnaires to help clients curate a space that reflects their style. In addition to offering comprehensive interior design services, The Linen Duck features both custom and semi-custom furniture options, with each piece thoughtfully tailored to suit individual tastes. “We rarely sell pre-designed collections,” Smith says. Instead, they emphasize a one-of-a-kind approach, highlighting the boutique’s dedication to personalized, bespoke design.
When COVID-19 hit, Smith temporarily scaled back her full-service design projects to meet the growing demand for home furnishings. Now she has returned to her true passion, interior design. “In the aftermath of COVID, clients began seeking to elevate their space,” she says.
With the retail operations running smoothly, Becky was eager to re-engage in the creative process. “One of my favorite projects each year, prior to the pandemic, was designing a showcase home,” referring to the comprehensive renovations and fully designed homes that were not only available for purchase but also open for public tours.
This year's showcase home held special significance for Smith, as St. Jude Research Hospital invited her to be its furnishing partner for the 2024 St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway in Spring Hill. As part of a fundraising effort for the hospital, Smith and her team fully designed the home with every detail — from curtains to artwork — thoughtfully crafted to complement the architecture and color palette. The raffle for the home raised more than $2 million.
"Thoughtful interior design has the power to create meaningful, positive change,” says Smith. She feels privileged to be able to use her gift to support various nonprofit organizations, including crisis centers, educational service centers, and mentoring programs over the past 20 years. “It’s incredibly fulfilling to see my passion for design impact both the community and the individual clients I work with.” TheLinenDuck.com