Home & Style
Bethesda interior designer Kelley Proxmire turns a Rhode Island summer home into an unabashedly preppy slice of paradise.
Photographs by Neil Alexander.
Using a cheerful palette of pink, yellow, and lime, Kelley Proxmire of Kelley Interior Design created a Rhode Island seaside retreat bursting with traditional yet playful touches. Inspired by the home’s sprawling 15-acre landscape, the designer mixed botanical prints with raspberry fabrics, sunny wallpaper, and pops of green. But it’s small touches like colored piping and monogrammed pillows that pull the whole look together. We asked Washington’s queen of prep to share her tips for creating a room Lilly Pulitzer herself would envy.
Tell us about preppy decor.
The trend incorporates a lot of color. Most of the fabrics are bold, geometric patterns, often including stripes of all sizes. In addition to using primary colors, preppy decor can include bold versions of pastels—like hot pink, golden yellow, or lime green.
What are some of the challenges of preppy decorating?
The main challenge is making sure the rooms do not feel too juvenile. A sense of sophistication can be accomplished by using more formal fabrics such as velvet or silk.
What advice do you have for those looking to incorporate the trend into their own home?
Go slowly, and don’t go overboard. Preppy colors and designs can be added by way of accent pillows, lampshades, wall mirror frames, or even table linens. Select a few strong accents and then add more preppy pieces as needed.
You used a lot of pink in the Rhode Island home. Is it safe to say the hue reigns supreme?
Absolutely! Hot pink is such a classic preppy color, and it mixes well with other colors.
What are your favorite elements of the project?
That’s easy: the trompe l’oeil “rugs” in the foyer. I had them designed specifically to incorporate the logo associated with the house—an oak leaf for “Oak Hill.”
What are some of your favorite places to shop for preppy designs?
Lee Jofa offers a wonderful line of Lilly Pulitzer fabrics, and China Seas fabrics are at the top of my list, too!
For more decorating ideas, check out our slideshow of preppy home products.
FAQs
Preppy Style Patterns
While white, black, navy and nude are the most common colors for preppy clothing, patterns play a key role in preppy outfits. Stripes, polka dots, plaid, and florals are all common patterns seen on tops, pants, skirts, and accessories.
What does a preppy look look like? ›
Shirts and tops in light colours, pastels or simple patterns and with a conservative neckline. Traditionally, preppy looks opted for slim cuts, but now the trend is heading towards looser, cropped clothing. Cardigans and sweaters should be short, classic and in neutral or light tones.
What makes an outfit preppy? ›
A preppy style has a lot in common with classic style so you may well find that you are drawn to elements of both. It can also draw inspiration from natural style. As a preppy style personality, you love cozy knits, checks and stripes and prefer to wear flat shoes and natural fibers, including leather as well as wool.
How to look pretty preppy? ›
Purchase the “staple” preppy clothes if you don't already have them.
- Plain colored t-shirts in white, navy blue, pastel colors, red, and neutrals.
- Solid or striped blouses in bright, eye-catching colors like pink, blue and white.
- Dark wash skinny jeans and khaki pants.
- Plain colored cardigans in pastel or basic colors.
There are quite a few color combinations that scream “PREPPY”, but then again, it's the manner of how the colors are presented that makes them “preppy”. Navy and yellow is an extremely common preppy color combination, but it's my favorite, mostly because it has the color yellow.
What is classic preppy style? ›
Back in the late 1890s and early 1900s, "preppy" style was a sort of status symbol, worn by wealthy guys who went to preparatory and Ivy League schools — hence the name. Brooks Brothers button-downs, knit sweaters, and loafers were all part of their closet must-haves, and by the 1930s, college women were in on it, too.
What are preppy and aesthetic colors? ›
VSCO Preppy is an aesthetic that is focused on bright colors, like pink and blue, and animal patterns like cheetah, giraffe & leopard pattern. It is commonly confused with Softies. It is popular among Gen Z and teenage girls on Tiktok, Instagram, and Pinterest.
What aesthetic is preppy? ›
Preppy style is all about classic, clean lines and a polished look. The key to nailing the preppy aesthetic is to keep your clothing and accessories simple and understated. But that doesn't mean you can't have any fun with your wardrobe!
What type of person is preppy? ›
Preppies are young people, especially in America, who have often been to an expensive private school and who are conventional and conservative in their attitudes, behaviour, and style of dress. If you describe someone or their clothes, attitudes, or behaviour as preppy, you mean that they are like a preppy.
