Whitney Cummings' Soul-Filled Approach to Home Design

Rip & Tan: Tell us a bit about your vision for the guest bedroom. How do you want people to feel when they enter the space? 

Whitney Cummings: I wanted it to feel cozy, ethereal, and clean but not sterile. I wanted it to feel like a spa, but also have some textures that don’t make you too lazy if you want to be alert. And I wanted it to feel like it’s yours if you’re a guest—so keeping the design minimal but super cozy helps it feel that way, once you hang up your clothes and fill the dresser. To me, it’s the best feeling to know that my guests are comfortable in my space.

Rip & Tan: How would you describe your interiors sensibility? 

Whitney Cummings: A fancy Italian rehab in the ’70s? Monastery chic? Spa glamour? Monochromatic Virgo insanity? I’m so bad at this. 

Rip & Tan: What were your main focuses when you redesigned your space as a whole? Any specific feelings, textures, colors, or tones speak to you? 

Whitney Cummings: I wanted to avoid mirrors, because I think it’s stressful to see yourself when you are being private in your space. And I didn’t want shiny or polished finishes—I like things to look old and weathered—then you don’t have to worry about them actually getting old or weathered, or have panic attacks about anything being too precious. I really wanted the house to have a soul, and I’m obsessed with the Japanese concept of Wabi Sabi, so that notion led the way.

Rip & Tan: What are some of your favorite features of the guest room? 

Whitney Cummings: The lamps make me insane. They’re dainty but strong, minimal but also have a heaviness to them. They anchor the space in such an unexpected way. And two chairs by a window, what else could you want in life? 

Rip & Tan: Any design details you can’t get enough of? 

Whitney Cummings: A couple different versions of the same color just soothe my brain. To me, a spectrum of beiges and whites layered is the ultimate relaxation because there’s no distraction. I was just reading that clutter drains your energy because your brain has to actively work to ignore something that attracts attention. So, I am finding lots of energy in keeping my décor of the highest quality, and as simple and minimal as possible without it reading cold. 

Rip & Tan: As we look ahead to the new year, what’s one thing you’re excited about? 

Whitney Cummings: Monochrom-ania! I’m going to do it with my wardrobe because I am done with decision fatigue. I also look forward to watching my one year old son grow up and NOT destroy this guest room. 

Rip & Tan: Let’s talk about the dos and don’ts of your home. Anything comes to mind, whether it be how you host, a song you love to play at home, or a guest behavior you can’t stand? 

Whitney Cummings: Great question. This is so dorky, but I play rain sounds a LOT. Constant rainstorms in the house. It’s just so comforting and energizing to me. And a lot of warm bluegrass, too, like The Lone Bellow, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Vitamin Strings Quartet. 

A guest behavior I can’t stand? PARKING BEHIND OTHER CARS. What if there is an emergency?! But I guess the main thing is touching the plaster. The plaster is my first born child and I guard it with my life.