The blending of soulful design and vintage pieces is where Ariene Bethea of Dressing Rooms Interiors thrives. We have fell in love with Ariene’s style when we stumbled across her Instagram account - @dressmyroom. The lacquered lampshades caught our attention as fellow lighting enthusiasts. Her use of bold color and curated second hand items from across the world is an ingenious way to blend modern style with antique or hand made items. Ariene shared her style journey, inspiration and more with us!
The Beginnings
Through decorating her first home, Ariene realized how much she loved curating spaces.
“I really found my footing in interior design when I began decorating my first home. That project sparked my love for vintage and inherited pieces—it was the moment I realized how much I enjoy creating soulful, story-rich spaces. It laid the foundation for everything I do now.”
Globally-Inspired Design
Ariene blends bold colors, rich patterns, and global goods to bring a room to life.
“My signature style is soulful, layered, and globally inspired. I blend vintage finds with bold patterns, rich colors, and meaningful objects—especially pieces with history or cultural roots. My approach is always about storytelling—curating spaces that feel lived-in, collected over time, and deeply personal to the people who live there”
Inspiration through Travel
Just like our Stray Dog creators, Billy and Jane, Ariene is inspired through traveling, most recently to Marrakech.
“Inspiration finds me in the wildest places—recently on the streets of Marrakech, flipping through old design magazines, or just staring at the perfect shade of moss on a tree. I’m always collecting moments—textures, colors, stories—and weaving them into spaces that feel soulful, collected, and a little bit unexpected.”
The Story of the Space
The process of creating begins when Ariene gets the feeling and the story of the space.
“My process always starts with a feeling. I want to know the story behind the space—who lives there, what they love, what makes them feel at home. From there, I build a visual narrative using vintage pieces, layered textures, color, and meaningful objects. I usually create a mood board that feels more like a vibe check than a checklist. And I always leave room for the unexpected—that one piece that doesn’t match but makes the room. My secret ritual? I style with music on and shoes off - completely in the zone. It keeps the energy grounded and intuitive.”
Designing Starts at Home
Moving into her new home, sparked Ariene to further create an intentional, meaningful space.
“Our new home and the downsizing journey is a project I’m especially proud of. I was a ruthless editor, letting go of anything that didn’t serve us—but I never sacrificed style. Every piece had to earn its place. The result is a space that feels intentional, soulful, and layered with meaning. It’s proof that you don’t need a lot of square footage to live beautifully and boldly.”
Color and Pattern are the Main Character
Ariene is not afraid of the bold and the beautiful!
“Color and pattern are my love languages! I treat them like characters in a story—each one bringing its own energy, attitude, and history to the space. I’m not afraid to mix bold hues with unexpected prints. It’s all about balance, rhythm, and a little bit of risk. When done right, color and pattern can turn a room into a conversation.”
Trending Now
The increase of people DIY-ing their spaces has been fun for Ariene to watch and to contribute to.
“One trend I’m loving is the renewed attention people are giving to their homes—whether they’re diving into DIY projects or partnering with interior designers. I love seeing folks invest in making their spaces more personal, thoughtful, and reflective of who they are. That kind of intention will never go out of style.”
Stray Dog Pieces
Stray Dog and Ariene are both lovers of lamps so of course her favorites are also ours!
“I love pairing our lacquered shades with sculptural bases that hold their own like the Ava Table Lamp, the Tulip Tree Table Lamp, or Steph Wood Table Lamp. I’ve definitely got my eye on all three!”
Curated Getaways
Ariene creates unique travel experiences that feature architecture, art, and design history.
“I’m thrilled about our upcoming Designer Lovers Getaway to Mexico City! It’s a curated experience for design enthusiasts who crave inspiration beyond the showroom. We’ll dive into the city’s rich architecture, bold art scene, and layered design history—with a little flea market treasure hunting, of course. These trips are all about culture, connection, and recharging your creative spirit.”
Treasure Hunting in Her Free Time
The next great find is just around the corner. Between vintage markets and art museums, Ariene loves spending her free time seeking out treasures.
“Outside of design, I’m a big fan of treasure hunting at vintage markets, wandering through art museums, and planning my next adventure—travel always sparks fresh ideas. I’m drawn to places with soul and texture, like Marrakech, Mexico City, and New Orleans. I love a beautifully designed coffee table book, journaling in the morning, and getting lost in a good podcast. Fashion is another passion of mine—it's just another form of storytelling—and music is truly the soundtrack of my life. Anything with rhythm, soul, and style speaks to me.”
