— REDFIN, 2021

Light fixtures can create a dramatic look: Light it up! Invest in dynamic and dramatic lighting, even if it is only one chandelier. The drama of the lofted space and high ceilings will be highlighted, even if your other furnishings are more modest, it will all be elevated-literally! –Annie Fair Design

—HOME BY DESIGN, 2021

PUNK ROCK REFINED: TURNING UP THE VOLUME IN A CALIFORNIA KITCHEN When interior designer Annie Fair, owner and principal of Annie Fair Design, was hired to help with a Southern California home and kitchen redesign, she knew from the first meeting that her clients were up for pushing the boundaries. “The husband is a punk rock drummer and the wife (a professional yoga instructor) has colorful hair that matches her tattoos,” says Fair. “These clients are really fun and not scared of color.”

— BEAUTIFUL DESIGN MADE SIMPLE, 2020

The Beauty of Less: Exploring Minimalism as a Maximalist By Annie Fair

My husband often finds it necessary to declare himself a minimalist. In so doing, he is contrasting himself against my, apparent, maximalism. I don’t self-describe as a maximalist. I do love the layers of life and character that populate the faded chintz curtains and upholstery of English country houses. I do want to display all the gorgeous art books I own. I am driven to find the needle in the estate sale haystack. And I absolutely want to go to the red apartment Billy Baldwin created for Dianna Vreeland just to breathe it all in over cocktails. Dare I even mention Tony Duquette? Or Doris Duke’s Shangri-La? Ok, ok. Perhaps I have a penchant for more.

— QC EXclusive, 2020

Take a glimpse back to any point when Annie Fair was a child, and you’ll likely find the same scene: a young Annie marveling at the antiques found in her father’s Victorian home in Eden, NC. While her style today differs from the Victorian style she grew up admiring, Fair still credits those explorative years for jump-starting her love of interior design.

That love has propelled her to a successful career as both a designer and business owner. After graduating from the Parsons New School for Design in 2009, Fair worked alongside a number of high-profile designers, including Michael Smith and Kelly Wearstler. She then opened her eponymous firm, Annie Fair Design, based in Charlotte, in 2017. She sat down with us to talk about her work, influences, and design tips.

— HUNKER, 2020

Minimalist Entryway Ideas: Not everyone wants a bright, cheery welcome. If you want to create a different mood with your minimalist entryway design, a warm color goes a long way, especially if you pair your walls with a dark piece of furniture, like North Carolina interior designer Annie Fair did with blue paint and a wood sideboard.

— BUSINESS OF HOME, 2019

“For me, it’s like speed-dating. We need a good idea of the client’s personality, aesthetic, daily life and aspirations. We use these questions at the start of the programming phase rather than when we onboard. We then review their answers in person (and if possible, in the space). It’s an opportunity to frame the conversation around how they want to live, and how we can best deliver this life and lifestyle. I’ve found asking these questions invaluable, and it gives me a greater understanding of my client.” —Annie Fair, Annie Fair Design, Charlotte, NC

— Beautiful Design Made Simple, 2019

In this age of constant digital communication, what was once a separate life at the office has now freely and frequently become part of our home life. Our offices are essentially everywhere. When I think of the ways my commercial clients use their workspaces, I am reminded of the ways my residential clients use their homes. Making these workspaces comfortable, usable, and durable is what we do for our residential clients, especially families. From my work on commercial projects, I have distilled my experiences down to these Five Rules for Success.

— HUNKER, 2019

— HUNKER, 2019

"Turn it on its ear" is an approach Charlotte, North Carolina, interior designer Annie Fair adopts to take the familiar into the extraordinary: "Even the most simple (AKA affordable) tile can be made more impactful by getting creative about the installation," she shares. "I've used Dal Tile rectangles in black and white on the floor of public restrooms, but it was installed in a herringbone pattern."

Likewise, with tiles in any room, you don't necessarily need to run them horizontal or staggered. "Many designers are opting for the aligned (or straight-stacked) tile installation. You could align it on the long or short side," adds Fair. "This gives a more midcentury feel rather than farmhouse modern. It also looks clean."

Annie Fair is an interior designer based in Charlotte, North Carolina. As a North Carolina native, a former Los Angeles resident of 17 years, and graduate of the NYC-based Parsons School of Design, Fair maintains a growing number of projects on both the East and West coasts. Before starting her own namesake firm in 2017, the talented designer honed her skillset under the wings of Kelly Wearstler, Michael Smith, and House of Honey.@AnnieFairDesign