When it comes to home style, most of us crave those wow moments, the kind that invite you to sink into your favorite cozy corner and enjoy your own space or host proud, impromptu dinner parties. But as Dierdre “Dee” Gaddy, founder and principal designer of Las Vegas-based Design Republic LLC (http://designrepubliclv.com), would say, true style is less about jaw-dropping glitzy spectacle and more about how a space makes you feel as you walk in the door.
“A well-designed space should feel like a natural extension of who you are. That’s where we thrive,” Dee says. Her philosophy radiating warmth well before you ever see her design in person.
Dee’s own design journey is what vision boards are made of. Equal parts dreamer and doer, she imagined a business devoted to authentic creativity and deep, lasting client relationships, something distinctly rare in a fast-paced, often impersonal design world.
“After years of collaborating with developers and firms,” Dee recalls, “I realized that what truly sets a project apart isn’t just the design, it’s the relationship behind it.” That realization became the backbone of Design Republic, a boutique firm that specializes in luxury residential spaces.
You’d expect a designer who has lived in both culturally vibrant Jamaica and desert-chic Las Vegas to value texture and personality. True to form, Dee describes her “organic modern meets timeless elegance” style as the result of obsessively honing the perfect balance: “Our signature style is rooted in modern minimalism, but it’s never cold or sparse,” she clarifies. “We believe in warmth, depth, and organic design.” For Dee, the ultimate inspiration comes from architecture, wellness, natural materials, globe-trotting adventures, and the stories her clients bring to the table.
So, what defines “style” right now? For Dee, it’s not a list of trends you’re doomed to regret after the next design cycle. It’s personal. “Style today is about individuality; it’s less about strict trends and more about creating a space that tells the client’s story and offers a place of respite,” she says. That’s not to say her interiors are immune to trends—far from it. Dee weaves in what’s current through the clever use of accents, letting them “evolve over time without losing the room’s core identity and functionality.” Her secret? Timeless foundations: quality materials, clean lines, layered textures, and, yes, plenty of space to breathe.
If your vision of a designer-client relationship involves stuffy presentations, think again. Dee approaches every project as a new partnership, starting with “deep listening.” She wants to know what brings you joy, your quirks, even your daily coffee rituals.
“Every project begins with deep listening. We ask many questions, learn about their lifestyle, values, and what brings them joy,” Dee explains. The initial consultation involves intimate interviews and collaborative Pinterest boards, where clients can interact right alongside Dee. “It helps both parties align early in the process,” she says, ensuring no detail gets lost in translation.
Once the vision starts to crystallize, Dee’s team moves into interior architecture territory—space planning, laying out lighting and mechanicals, and, sometimes, gently negotiating with the budget. From there, cutting-edge 3D renderings bring the concept to life, offering a clear picture of the final space long before construction begins.
“Clients can see the vision start to come together and can approve exactly what they are getting before it’s built,” says Dee. By the time the final reveal arrives—furnishings artfully in place, light dancing across custom drapes—Dee’s clients typically have that dream-home moment. “The final reveal is one of our favorite parts, it’s where the vision becomes real and you see the client’s reaction to moving into their dream home!”
For those itching to elevate their own pad, Dee’s advice is refreshingly pragmatic and stylishly simple. “Invest in fewer, better pieces. Quality over quantity always wins,” she urges. And don’t fear the empty corner, “Sometimes what you don’t put in a room makes the biggest impact. Be intentional.” If you’re itching for instant gratification, forget the parade of pillows and focus on one high-impact change: custom drapery. “Swap out store bought panels and builder grade blinds for custom drapes. They instantly make a room feel elevated and finished.” According to Dee, these details transform not just the way your room looks, but how it lives.
But beyond the cleverly layered textures or that perfectly curated armchair, Dee always circles back to her core conviction: “We truly believe that design is not about perfection, it’s about connection.” In a world of endless remodels, which might just be the most timeless style secret of all.
So next time you’re pondering a home refresh, channel a bit of Dee’s “organic modern” wisdom—and remember, the most beautiful rooms are the ones that tell your story. Style, after all, starts with you.