First up, why did you choose the name Decorologist?

As a former school psychologist, I can’t help but bring a lot of my background into interior design. The Decorologist seemed like the perfect fit for who I am and the issues I am trying to address in people’s homes. Whether we realize it or not, our visual surroundings affect how we feel and interact with others in a profound way. Nesting is a deep-seated psychological concept. And believe me, I do a lot of couple’s counseling in the design process.

So from psychology to interior design doctor, what sort of training did you undergo?

I guess you could say I am one of those lifelong learner types. I have a graduate degree in psychology and another in education. I earned a license in home staging and trained under an internationally acclaimed Color Expert to become certified in interior/exterior color. I’ve read and studied anything and everything on interior design, color and environmental psychology. And I’m on the Design Advisory Board for Benjamin Moore Paints and serve as a color expert on their website, so it’s crucial for me to stay on top of the current trends.

When it comes to shopping paint color, people can become so overwhelmed. Should you choose paint before furniture if you are starting from scratch?

Absolutely. There is nothing that affects your mood in a space more than wall color. If you don’t love your wall color, you’re never going to love your room. I do not ascribe to the idea of picking your wall color straight out of your chair fabric or rug inspiration pieces. I help my clients choose paint colors that set the mood they want and that will act as the backdrop for the rest of the decor.

How do you help clients find their color personalities?

First, I have to determine their tolerance for real color. Whether they are comfortable with colorful rooms or they prefer neutral tone on tones. Then we go through all the color families, and I can usually tell on their faces which ones are out to begin with. Often there’s a gut reaction. Some colors evoke strong reactions like purple, orange and yellow. You either love them or hate them. Then we explore what they prefer on the light/dark and clean/muted spectrum. Really large paint samples are key for helping my clients see which they prefer.

One of the hardest things I had to deal with as a personal shopper was wresting old habits from clients. How do you deal with that? Changing pant styles is one thing, but changing up a living space is a much bigger commitment.

Everyone who hires me is looking for a change. They’ve tried it their way and haven’t been able to get the result they want on their own. Most of my clients have gotten to know me first on my blog (http://thedecorologist.com) and have seen lots of before-and-afters of rooms I have done, so there’s usually a level of trust. The main issue I deal with is helping clients let go of furniture or decor that is psychologically weighing them down. You know, that ugly chair that belonged to your favorite aunt or the collections that have overtaken your home? I help them identify and sort through the things that are holding them back from creating a surrounding they can truly enjoy living in. I often help people find ways to repurpose or change furniture so that they finally fall in love with that piece they have grown to hate.

Your home is such a strong personality profile for you. It matches your personality — beautiful, eclectic and really fresh. What one design trick can you share in re-creating your style?

My style is not for everyone. But everyone can have a sense of personal style in their home. One design trick I really love that I used in my own home is the fabric for my curtains and slipcovers. The slipcovers are a bit unusual because I slip-covered tabletops instead of upholstery pieces. And the fabric looks really elegant, but it is actually drop cloths that you can find at big box stores like Home Depot. You wash them three or four times then throw them in the dryer with a handful of dryer sheets. It comes out looking rumpled and chic, and is so affordable.

What color trends are on target for 2012 and beyond?

Gray is the new brown. Chocolate and espresso browns were the standard neutral for the past 10 years. Gray is what you will be seeing for the next decade. Not the cold gray of the ’80s — a warmer and more complex gray. Take almost any real color and add gray to it to make it more sophisticated and complex.

Your favorite neutral colors?

I love grays with brown and slight green undertones. They look current right now. Grayed down blues and greens make for fantastic super neutrals that work with almost any other color.

Favorite accent colors?

Raspberry pink, turquoise, avocado and bright yellow.

Describe your home’s personality.

Our home was built in 1939 by Joseph Vietti; he invented Nashville-based Vietti Chili. I wanted to restore and maintain its vintage feel, so it is part 1940s throwback, part English summer home, part enchanted storybook cottage.

Describe your own personal style. Does it coincide with your home style?

I am very nostalgic about history, even when it’s not my own. So this house is definitely me. However, I do like on-trend fashion and study Lucky magazine monthly. I definitely prefer clothes that lean toward a boho feel and would rather mix my clothing colors than match them. And I usually have to throw on a vintage brooch or antique piece of jewelry before I feel really dressed.