DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT VOL. VIII
INTRODUCING:
Roxanne Packham of Sunset and Magnolia
DECEMBER 2022
Today Roxanne lives in Southern California designing homes and running a business. However, Roxanne’s story has taken her all over the world, collecting memories and skills that she incorporates into her life today. Though her design career started “by accident” Roxanne has now been in the business for over 25 years.
Roxanne: “I was at USC studying general courses and then decided that I wanted to go into fashion design. I took classes at the fashion institute in the mornings before classes at USC. As soon as I graduated from both places, I got my first job and decided I didn't like fashion design at all. The first day I just knew it wasn’t for me. Around the same time actually, my husband and I were getting ready to move to Spain. We moved to Spain and I set up my house and a few people asked me to do their houses over there. It started happening organically as I was realizing fashion design wasn't for me. When we moved back to the states 3 years later, it was word of mouth at first and then grew from there. I fell in love with the design over there and incorporated it into everything.”
Not only have Roxanne’s travels influenced her designs, but also her lifestyle. Living in other parts of the world created a greater appreciation for the little things.
Roxanne: “We did a lot of humanitarian work and still travel back to Romania every year. It makes the world a small place to be around so many different kinds of people. That was a great place to start. You realize how small our little area is when you go out and live all over the world.”
One significant takeaway from Roxannes time abroad is outdoor living and bringing the outdoors inside. The impact of bringing organic elements into a home is something that has shaped Roxanne’s design style. From personal experience and research, Roxanne has found that any space can be transformed by nature.
Roxanne: “ My style is light and cheerful. I always like to take advantage of the outdoors. I try to bring nature into my work. I think it is very healing, and of course, we all realized that over the last 3 years. The one thing that all my work has in common is that it takes advantage of the view outside. If the view outside is just the backyard, that's fine, we like to bring the green space inside.”
An outdoor space or astonish views may not always be accessible. Roxanne has found other ways to incorporate nature with the right colors, photography, scents, light and other design concepts.
Roxanne: “In places where houses are close together, we'll put some kind of screen outside the window. A nice green screen or something like that allows you to still look outside your windows and see green even if there is a concrete wall behind it.
I listened to this panel about incorporating green spaces and living plants into interiors so people could heal better. They found that nurses and doctors would perform better if they had a place in the hospital where they could relax that had aspects of nature. Even if it wasn’t real trees or plants but pictures and essential oils in a space to relax. It is fascinating that it doesn't even have to be outdoors; you can bring elements of the outdoors inside.”
Connection and relationships are a pivotal part of business, but especially in design where such a personal space is being created. An initial meeting can determine whether a client is the right fit and vice versa. Once a relationship is formed, Roxanne works her magic into making a space feel like a home.
Roxanne: “I like to get the spaces to look exactly like what the clients want. First, we have a meeting where we see if we are a good fit and then I found out about their life. I met with a potential client the other day, who I signed on with, and they have two foster babies. I knew instantly that I wanted to work with her because I love that she took in these foster kids. I found out what they needed like this client needed all new furniture and window treatments and things to be durable. So I try to find out all about them and look at their space and then from there I start my design process. I love fabrics and textiles and when I can, I love to incorporate antiques.”
Isn’t it crazy how the power of social media can ignite some of the best relationships? Roxanne shares how she came to know House of Morrison and how it was a natural growth from there!
Roxanne: “I love working with House of Morrison because the most important part of my business is the relationships I have. I have been doing this for more than 25 years and I had some companies that didn’t seem happy with what they were doing. I put out something on Facebook asking if I had any personal friends that happen to be in the furniture business. I connected with my friend Gina who works for House of Morrison. I said that I wanted to come meet everyone and within a week I did.”
“I try to incorporate my travels into my work and designs so that it is not super matchy and that it's more interesting. It was really great to travel the world and live in all kinds of different places.”
What sets a company apart is not always the product, but the people behind the product. Roxanne shares her take on what she has found to be a crucial step in sourcing furniture. We are so appreciative of Roxannes kind words and loyalty to House of Morrison.
Roxanne: “What I look for in furniture is a company I can stand behind. You can always find a good furniture, but when it's made by people mistakes can happen. If you have a place that will make it right, to me that is by far my most important thing. A year and a half ago, I realized if I am going to do this for the rest of my life, I want to like the people I work with. You know that you are going to run into problems but you want to work with someone who will fix it. I’m definitely a loyal customer for life! I’ve never left a client unhappy. I don’t make the furniture so I need a company that will stand behind me.
I love the contemporary pieces that you have but I tend to go a little bit more traditional. The pieces that you have made for me as a prototype, I absolutely love.”
We asked Roxanne what she is looking forward to in the upcoming year. We are fascinated by her answer and where she plans to take her business. Roxannes travels are inevitably a huge inspiration to her designs. We learned that her family history plays a key roll as well. Roxanne’s upcoming trip to the east coast will be filled with research and family connection as she continues to bring the legacy of her family into her work.
Roxanne: “My family are silversmiths back 8 generations coming from Massachusetts. Both my grandfather and great grandfather are California living treasures I am going to do some research at a couple museums back east. I wrote a letter to the place where my grandmother was born and where my grandfather built his first shop in the back of the house. We are looking at some of the places where he created his silver. I am somehow going to incorporate the silver into my business. During the pandemic I decided to go only to craft-made or handmade and no longer buy anything from big manufactures. I have artists and artisans make all the pieces and have you (House of Morrison) make the furniture. I love handmade things because I come from a family of artists and silversmiths. It was natural.
My cousin who is the silversmith in the family now makes all of our knobs and hardware. If you're interested, on my website there is a short video of my cousin making something. There's some fun history there that I am wanting to bring into my business as well.”
It all comes full circle! Roxanne first started her business with a different name but eventually changed it to Sunset and Magnolia when she discovered an old family document. As Roxanne incorporates more of her family history into her work, it is fitting her business name honors that history as well.
Roxanne: “The name Sunset and Magnolia comes from my grandpa Allen whose shop was on Sunset Blvd, and my great grandfather, who was on Magnolia Street. It's the cross streets where both of their shops were as silversmiths. My mom and I were in Washington, DC, at the Smithsonian to see the files on my family. They brought out these sketches of his place, which had his address on Sunset and Magnolia. I said to my mom that I had to change my business name to that.”
As we wrap up our conversation with Roxanne we asked her what her dream design project would be. Reflecting on her time in Romania doing humanitarian work, Roxanne would love an opportunity to build houses for those in need.
Roxanne: “My dream design project would be to do a design show for a very short period of time. I've gotten to do some really high end and celebrity homes so I feel like I’ve done that already so it would be really fun to go in and build a home for someone who doesn’t have one or had something really hard happen to them. I think I would do that for a few years so I could give a bunch of people houses! When we go to Romania we have something like that called a Home of Hope where a group of girls live and work together so they don’t get trafficked. I would love to be a part of something like that where we could give people homes.”