Catching up with Rachel
Rachel with The Layered Life Retreat Team
It’s been a minute since we caught up with Reider + Co’s creative leader, Rachel Reider. As we enter Q2 of an exciting 2026, we thought now was the perfect time to check in before the summer installation season begins!
As a team, we couldn’t be more excited to collaborate across the diverse range of projects coming our way. From second homes and repeat clients to coastal retreats and boutique hotel renovations, our work continues to reflect a thoughtful approach to luxury interior design rooted in both function and a strong sense of place. We’re grateful for the continued momentum and the way the industry has embraced our process-driven approach to residential and hospitality design.
A few weeks ago, we sat down with Rachel to talk through it all, what’s shaping our current work, and what’s on the horizon for Reider + Co.
What were some project highlights from a very busy 2025?
We completed our A Splash of Color renovation project, which was years in the making and allowed us to really push our creative boundaries with color and pattern. The combination of working with longtime clients and a great project team helped to make the project a true delight. We've now moved on to their NH lake house, which we'll be installing this summer!
And we recently completed our Refined Sophisticated Getaway project for another longtime R+Co client. Where their urban residence was edgy with pops of color, it was fun to go in a totally different direction here, with a more neutral, organic style. We just photographed this Newport, Rhode Island home last week and can’t wait to share it soon.
It was also a busy year on the hotel side with the renovation of Shore Haven in Falmouth, where we embraced a sense of place, bringing in a coastal palette and textures for a true beach escape.
What’s something you wish more clients understood about Reider + Co's design process?
I think it is hard for clients to understand the level of detail that goes into bringing a project to fruition. We want clients to enjoy the process and emphasize the exciting parts like the design presentation and site visits, but countless hours go into working through details, communicating with the project team and vendors, as well as meticulous timelines to make a successful project. We recently gathered as a team to map out our client experience and figure out where the highs and lows of a project are, so we can make sure to add in more communication where needed, build on the client's excitement, and try to avoid stressful moments.
What trends are you currently seeing in the industry that are reflected in your current projects?
I'm really not a trend person because to me, by the time I'm sensing a trend, it's already overdone, or it will be by the time what I'm designing comes to fruition. It's more based on the client's inspiration photos and lifestyle, and the feel and architecture of the home, combined with inspiration we, as a team, gathered from trade shows and our travels. What I do embrace are concepts I feel are timeless, like using materials in unexpected ways, lots of layers for depth, and a lot of customization to ensure the client's home is a true reflection of them.
What do you believe distinguishes your work in a way that isn’t immediately obvious?
I like to think we work within a range; the variation is what makes projects creatively challenging for me. No two projects are alike because no two clients or homes are. We have projects that are very colorful and bold, as well as ones with a more neutral palette, where it's all about the texture. I would like to think that what runs through all of our projects is an environment that feels warm, inviting, and personable. Our designs are meant to be lived in and enjoyed; for us, it's very much about form and function.
What a place that you return again and again for inspiration?
In my photo library, I am always taking pictures, from little details I want to remember to a great new source of travel inspiration. Instagram, Pinterest, and magazines are also great sources, and I keep a board of ideas I've seen and want to remember. I'm very visual, so these images are a great jumping-off point when I'm looking to be inspired. I love our office design sessions where we start out with ideas, and then we build off of each other to come up with something completely unique to our client.
You and Kate Maloney Albiani recently launched The Layered Life, a retreat designed for interior designers looking to build their business with intention.
What was the premise behind the experience, and what surprised you most about the response it received?
We wanted to create a resource for what we wish we had been exposed to as we scaled our businesses. Not to date us, but that was pre-social media, before coaches were a big thing, and it felt very lonely at times. Being a business owner is so rewarding, but it's also exhausting and overwhelming, especially as a creative. We wanted to create a space where we could help people with their pain points, share our experiences, not only the wins but the struggles, because that's where growth really happens.
We asked attendees to fill out an application so we could get to know them better and really tailor the content to their needs. We were surprised and delighted by the excitement surrounding this. In addition to what you might expect from growth struggles, many expressed a desire for a greater sense of community. This really resonated with Kate and me, and this year’s retreat did just that! We truly feel like everyone walked away with a clearer sense of what comes next for them and their business.
What can we expect to see from the Reider + Co project-wise in 2026?
We have lots of exciting projects kicking off. Two new hotel projects: one on the Cape and another on Martha's Vineyard, an urban condo redesign, and a suburban renovation with repeat clients. I also have lots of travel in the months ahead, which I'm very excited about, and it is always a great creative boost!
Thanks, Rachel!
Live well,
