If walls could whisper, the homes designed by Shannon Love would tell stories of precious memories and meaningful experiences. As the creative visionary behind Iced Tulips Interiors, she sees design as more than decoration; it’s a way to honor history and evoke emotion—proving that a home isn’t just a place, but a canvas for a life well-lived.
A Creative Upbringing
From an early age, Shannon was surrounded by creativity and cultural diversity. “Growing up, I didn’t even know that interior design was a thing,” she recalls. “But I had amazing parents, and they taught me to be open to the world and to different cultures. They raised me to have an open mind.”
Shannon’s three grandmothers also influenced her style, each with a distinct approach—one adored the cozy charm of a country cottage, another treasured elegant antiques, and the third embraced a bold, modern aesthetic. Her early exposure to diverse styles ignited her design sensibilities, but it was the passport stamps of far-flung adventures that truly refined her aesthetic. “My husband and I wanted to embrace each new place we lived while still preserving what was most special to us,” she remarks.
“I married my high school sweetheart, which isn’t all that unusual in Alabama,” she says with a smile. “David and I actually met when we were ten. What made our story different was that we left and traveled the world.”
A Global Tapestry
Shannon’s design ethos wasn’t shaped solely by textbooks—it was forged in the heart of the world’s most captivating cities. From Texas to Spain, Angola, China, and Nigeria, each destination left its mark, glazing her aesthetic with layers of culture. But it was Barcelona that proved transformative.
“It was our first real experience living overseas,” she reflects. Immersed in Barcelona’s architectural splendor, she encountered Antoni Gaudí, whose fluid forms and bold creativity redefined space. “Everything he touched was just so organic and unconventional,” she says.
In Angola and Nigeria, Shannon fell in love with bespoke pieces, witnessing the interplay between modern influences and deep-rooted traditions. Her journey then took her to China, where she immersed herself in Beijing’s 798 Art District—a vibrant enclave of repurposed warehouses turned into contemporary galleries. China’s open courtyards and intricately crafted hutong homes deepened Shannon’s conviction that design should be thoughtful and intentional. “The best homes don’t just look beautiful,” she says. “They feel lived-in, loved, and layered with meaning.”
Creating Sanctuaries of Story
After graduating from the New York Institute of Art and Design and earning her GCE, Shannon began her career as a designer. “Everyone has a rich history,” she asserts. “And if someone has a rich history, then their home should reflect that. Every home should tell a story, and every piece should have a purpose.”
Rather than erasing her clients’ pasts, Shannon celebrates them. “Why would I take that history away from them? Why would I remove their story? And if they’ve collected things over time that they love, that bring back important memories—those things matter.”
For Shannon, design transcends aesthetics; it’s about creating a sanctuary. “Home is a place that brings you safety and shelter,” she explains. “And when I say safety, I don’t just mean physical safety. You want to feel safe to relax. Safe to be one hundred percent yourself. A well-designed home isn’t about perfection. It’s about authenticity.”
With years of experience, Shannon offers practical advice: “Whatever budget you think you need—add ten to twenty percent more,” she advises. “If you want to be really safe—tell your designer or contractor that your budget is only eighty percent of what it actually is.”
For Shannon, interior design is an intimate process. It’s about building lasting relationships as much as creating beautiful spaces. “I really believe the most important thing I can do for my clients is make them feel happy, safe, and comfortable in their home. I design spaces to celebrate who my clients are—not who I am.”
The Unique Touch of Iced Tulips
You’d be forgiven for thinking that Shannon’s talent for blending purposeful design with global influences is what ultimately distinguishes Iced Tulips Interiors. But the true essence of her work runs deeper.
“I don’t just design spaces,” she explains. “I design experiences. When I design a space, I’m not just thinking about how it looks—I’m thinking about how it feels. A home that is designed with heart will always outshine one that is simply styled.”
For Shannon, design transcends mere furniture arrangement or color palettes—it’s the beautiful marriage of storytelling and art. “A home is a canvas for life,” she says. “And my job is to make sure it tells the right story.”
A natural storyteller, Shannon believes homes, like lives, are meant to evolve. “A home should be a living thing, not something frozen in time,” she states. To her, great design honors what exists rather than starting over. “I don’t believe in throwing everything out and starting fresh. The best designs blend old and new; every piece has a past and every space a future.”
In the end, the unique essence of Iced Tulips isn’t found in accolades or fleeting trends—it’s woven into the very soul of a home, in the harmony of old and new, in the stories that linger and whisper within its walls. “At the end of the day,” Shannon says, “the best compliment I can receive is, ‘This feels like home.’”
To schedule a consultation with Shannon, visit icedtulipsinteriors.com.
I don’t just design spaces. I design experiences. When I design a space, I’m not just thinking about how it looks—I’m thinking about how it feels. A home that is designed with heart will always outshine one that is simply styled.