Interior designer Emily Chastain creates beautifully styled homes alongside meaningful experiences—one soulful, colorful, personality-filled space at a time. Her work radiates a point of view that is unmistakably personal—rich with color, layered with meaning and deeply connected to the stories of the people who inhabit those spaces. With a background that blends construction, property management and a lifelong immersion in the creative arts, Emily has crafted a design philosophy rooted in authenticity, intuition and the belief that every space should feel like a true reflection of its owner.
Emily’s journey into design did not begin in a studio or classroom, but in the family business. Her father owned a painting company and worked as an interior decorator, exposing her early on to the magic of transforming homes. “I come from a long line of creatives,” she says. “Design was something I grew up around. It felt natural to me.”
In her early twenties, she channeled that creative inheritance into a role in property management, where she began decorating model units. That hands-on experience honed her understanding of how people live and what is needed to create spaces that function beautifully. That skill set met a formidable challenge: managing a 25-story high-rise built in the 1960s. When the building’s management company entrusted her with redesigning the entire amenity floor, the project became both a proving ground and a revelation.
Her breakthrough came two years later, when a California-based multifamily construction company purchased the property. Impressed by her work, they hired her as lead project manager over a massive $4-million renovation, encompassing the full exterior, shared amenities and all 242 apartments. “It was an experience to say the least,” she recalls. But it also confirmed for her that design—bold, holistic and detail-driven—was where she belonged.
If Emily’s projects share one thread, it’s an intentional embrace of individuality. “Own who you are and enjoy the spaces you spend your time in,” she insists. Her philosophy rejects trend-chasing in favor of longevity. “Trends fade, personal style stays. You’ll never get sick of something you truly love.”
Functionality sits at the center of her approach, but so do emotional connections. One of her non-negotiables is incorporating antiques into every design project. “They provide instant soul,” she explains. “I always try to integrate something sentimental into every space.”
Emily is known for her fearless use of color and pattern, a distinctive touch she describes as her “eclectic twist.” But even her boldest spaces feel thoughtful, balanced and rooted in the architectural context of the home.
A recent favorite project involved helping a dear friend transform her newly purchased Central Gardens home, a 1900s gem. The client—a devoted maximalist—had enthusiasm and ideas to spare but needed Emily’s vision and structure to bring it all together. “Space planning and sourcing unique finds became the name of the game,” Emily recalls. “I wanted her home to feel bold but thoughtfully curated.”
Pattern play became a guiding element. The wallpaper, an understated black-and-white print, created a soft backdrop for the room’s more expressive pieces, such as the bold floral sofa and abstract art. The main living area, flooded with natural light, became a serene family space filled with greenery and eclectic accents.
One of the most memorable transformations was the lavender “fancy room,” envisioned as a cocktail lounge connecting the hearth room and kitchen. The shade was chosen to complement the historic wood detail, keeping craftsmanship front and center. The room’s statement pieces are two quirky pop-art plaster portraits discovered at a Summer Avenue antique shop—reportedly once owned by Elvis Presley’s cousin. Emily transformed these relics by painting them the same lavender tone as the walls, allowing them to blend in while making a subtle, artistic impact.
The hearth room’s fireplace became another showstopper thanks to carefully selected Calacatta Viola marble tiles from Ann Sacks. Installed with minimal grout, the tiles form a continuous flow of dramatic purple veining, a luxe focal point that honors the home’s traditional heart while bringing in modern sophistication.
Another ongoing project involves a longtime client in Arlington, where Emily has redesigned a new room each year. The home’s classic architecture calls for restraint, but that doesn’t stop her from weaving in color, texture and charm. The dining room is a perfect example: starting with the client’s heirloom rug, she pulled its rich reds and blues into the ceiling paint, subtle wallpaper and warm gold drapery. The result is elegant yet spirited.
Finding opportunity where others might not, Emily transformed an overlooked nook into a fully functional bar with glass shelving, bold hardware and reeded glass doors. It now serves as a showpiece during the client’s frequent gatherings.
Perhaps the project closest to her heart was designing a gallery wall up the home’s stairwell—a thoughtful installation of old family photos that had been stored in boxes for years. Emily selected each frame by hand, orchestrating a display that took months to perfect. Today, it stands as a centerpiece of family celebrations.
Whether revitalizing a century-old home or creating a fresh, functional space for a growing family, Emily Chastain approaches every project with curiosity, care and a deep respect for the stories that spaces hold. Her work is not just about beauty—it’s about intention, memory and joy.
Sarah’s Take
I love that when you walk into this classic Midtown home, you don’t expect the explosion of color waiting inside - the floral sofa, the golden chairs, the mix of patterns and light. It surprised me in the best way, full of joy, character and a kind of quiet confidence that makes you smile.
The space immediately shaped how I approached the shoot - instead of balancing color, I leaned into it.
The vibrant mix of pattern and light gave me permission to be playful with framing and composition.
Emily’s touches, like the lavender reliefs in the piano room, offered soft pauses that balanced the energy, and I wanted that same rhythm to come through in the photos.
Photographer Sarah Voigt has been capturing interiors and portraits through her lens for well over a decade. Sarah grew up in Corsica, France, pursued a degree in interior design at the Beaux-Arts in Toulouse and honed her skills in New York before arriving in Memphis. Sarah is the photo editor for River City Lifestyle magazine.