How Erin Gates Transforms Spaces into Works of Art
Creating a home that works for real life while staying true to good design can feel like an impossible task. Homeowners often find themselves stuck between wanting a beautiful space and needing it to work for their daily lives.
Erin Gates understands this common challenge, bringing her fresh take on design to homes from Maine to California.
In this guide, we will share her method for mixing classic elements with modern comforts, showing how she helps families create spaces that look good and work well.
Learn how her team turns houses into homes that people love living in every day.
About Erin Gates
Based in Newton, Massachusetts, Erin Gates leads the team with expertise gained from years of hands-on design work and creative problem-solving.
As the owner and lead designer of our firm, Erin Gates brings a unique mix of skills to each project.
Her story in design started with the creation of the well-known blog Elements of Style, which quickly gained attention for its honest take on home design.
What sets her work apart is Erin’s straightforward approach to design.
She looks at each space with fresh eyes, mixing time-tested design elements with new ideas. This method has led to features in top design magazines and a growing collection of home products, including rugs and accessories.
What Defines Erin Gates Design Aesthetic?
As a fellow designer, I’ve watched Erin Gates craft her unique design perspective over the years.
Her style stands out in the design world for its careful mix of old and new elements. She shows this method perfectly in the Wellesley Farms project, where she paired classic wood details with modern glass and metal pieces.
Key elements of her design approach include:
- Thoughtful Blending: Her work shines when she mixes traditional architecture with modern touches.
- Livable Luxury: Each space she creates focuses on comfort without losing its refined look. You’ll often see plush seating areas paired with well-chosen statement pieces that catch the eye but don’t get in the way of daily life.
- Smart Space Planning: One of her standout skills is making rooms work better for families. She thinks about how people move through spaces, creating clear paths and useful areas in every room.
What makes Erin’s work special is her ability to read a home’s character. Take her recent work on older homes – she keeps their original charm while making them work for today’s families.
She often says, “A room should feel collected, not decorated.” This shows in how she layers different styles, textures, and time periods in her projects.
Her designs always include:
- Clean lines mixed with soft touches
- A mix of materials that create interest
- Spaces that work for real life
- Details that catch the eye without being loud
Erin’s Published Works and Media Presence
In the design world, few professionals have built such a varied body of work as Erin Gates. Her voice reaches far beyond her design studio through different channels of communication.
Erin’s writing brings design knowledge right into readers’ homes through two key books:
“Elements of Style: Designing A Home & A Life” (2014)
- Made the New York Times bestseller list
- Offers practical design tips mixed with personal stories
- Helps readers understand the basics of good design
“Elements of Family Style: Elegant Spaces for Everyday Life” (2019)
- Focuses on creating homes that work for families
- Shows how to make beautiful spaces that stand up to daily use
- Includes real-world examples from client projects
Her design work catches media attention through:
- Features in top home magazines
- Spots in design publications
- Her growing product lines, including:
- Home accessories
- Rug collections
- Various design collaborations
What makes Erin’s media presence special is her straightforward communication style.
She talks about design the way people talk about their homes – with honesty and real understanding of how spaces need to work.
Services Offered at Erin Gates Design
1. Design Consultation
At Erin Gates Design, we start with getting to know you and your space. Our first meeting helps us understand your hopes for your home.
Before your first meeting, we recommend:
- Gathering inspiration photos you love
- Making notes about how you use each space
- Setting clear budget expectations
- Listing any special items you want to keep
2. Interior Design Services
Our full-service design brings your vision to life. We handle both homes and business spaces with care.
What they offer:
- Complete room planning and layout
- Custom furniture design
- Window treatment design
- Coordinated color and pattern schemes
- Lighting plans that create the right mood
3. Construction and Renovation Consulting
They work as a team with your builders and architects to create spaces you’ll love. Erin’s expertise helps guide important choices during construction.
- Material selection for floors and walls
- Picking the right fixtures
- Kitchen and bath design details
- Space planning advice
- Lighting placement guidance
4. Decorating Services
Every item has a purpose and adds to your room’s story.
They help with:
- Finding furniture that fits your lifestyle
- Choosing colors that make you happy
- Picking fabrics that last
- Adding special touches that make your space unique
- Creating displays with your treasured items
A Look Into Erin’s Portfolio
When people walk into a home, they often miss something special – each house has its own story to tell.
At Erin Gates Design, we see every project as a conversation between three important voices: the home’s historical character, the family’s daily needs, and our design vision.
Each space holds memories in its walls, patterns in its floors, and stories in its windows.
Our portfolio shows how we honor these elements while making spaces work better for today’s families.
A Charming Historic Home Transformation
In this 1934 brick colonial, we faced a special task: keeping history while adding modern comfort. Working with architect Patrick Ahearn, we:
- Added useful spaces without changing the home’s original look
- Created a new kitchen and family room that fits today’s lifestyle
- Mixed old and new pieces to keep the home’s spirit alive
Living Room Look:
- Kept the original fireplace as the heart of the room
- Added plush seating in soft neutrals for comfort
- Mixed antique side tables with modern lighting fixtures
A Look Inside the Modern Country Home
This project shows how we blend country comfort with clean lines.
The space features:
- Light-filled rooms with natural textures
- Comfortable seating areas for family gatherings
- Simple patterns mixed with solid colors
- Warm wood tones throughout the space
Living Areas:
- Designed conversation areas with deep, comfortable sofas
- Used natural fiber rugs to add texture
- Placed reading lamps strategically for both function and style
Colorful and Collected Colonial
Here’s where we added life to a classic colonial structure:
- Fresh color choices that respect the home’s roots
- Family heirlooms placed alongside new pieces
- Cozy reading nooks in unused corners
- Personal touches that tell the family’s story
Traditional Meets Modern Colonial- A Timeless Look
This project stands out for its smart mix of styles:
- Classic moldings paired with current furniture
- Updated lighting that fits the home’s character
- Practical spaces that look good and work well
- A mix of materials that create interest
Kitchen Makeover:
- Updated cabinets while keeping traditional styling
- Added modern appliances that blend with the classic look
- Created an eat-in area that works for both daily use and entertaining
Client Testimonials
Let’s hear from the families who’ve experienced the magic of living in their newly designed spaces. These stories show how Erin’s designs work in real life.
Sarah M. – Wellesley Colonial Project
“My home used to feel stuck between old and new. The team listened to how our family lives – from homework at the kitchen island to movie nights in the family room. Now each room feels just right.”
Michael and Kate P. – Modern Country Home
“We wanted our home to feel welcoming but not stuffy. Our new space is exactly that.
The kids can play in the family room while we cook, and nothing feels too precious to use. Every room feels connected but has its own personality.”
Jennifer B. – Colorful Colonial
“I worried about mixing our family antiques with new pieces. The design team created spaces that honor our heirlooms while feeling fresh.
Friends always ask how we got this look – it feels collected over time but works for today.”
Wrapping It Up
Your home tells a story, and at Erin Gates Design, we help write its next chapter.
Through each project shown here, from historic colonials to modern family homes, we’ve seen how thoughtful design makes daily life better.
It’s not just about picking pretty things – it’s about creating spaces that work for morning rushes, family dinners, and quiet evenings.
Ready to start your home’s next chapter? We’d love to hear about your space and how you want to live in it.