June 13, 2025 | inspiration
Starring fabulous wallcovering in every single project.
Welcome to PJ's new Designer Series where we spotlight standout designer projects and incredible stories. Each feature delves into the creative process and inspiration behind these remarkable designs. Today we head to Bluffton, South Carolina.
Breezy Styles & Colorful Tones
Rooted in the architectural traditions of the South Carolina Lowcountry, Kelly Caron Designs brings a refined, coastal sensibility to her projects. Known for her use of natural materials like white oak, linen, and tabby shell stucco, Kelly balances classic Southern charm with clean-lined, transitional elements and lots of wallcovering. Step inside some of her favorite rooms.
In the decade since opening her firm, Kelly has found her niche specializing in custom homes throughout Palmetto Bluff and the surrounding region. Kelly vividly remembers her design studio’s first commercial order from Phillip Jeffries. “It was for a restaurant that was a Brat Pack theme, so everything was retro. We wanted to set the scene that it’s a gentleman’s club.” She chose PJ's Rivets wallcovering. “It was the first time anywhere local I’d seen it,” she said, “And then I started using it in more commercial spaces and a few residential places—always in the studies!”
Kelly loves matching the interiors of clients' houses to the beautiful exteriors of South Carolina Lowcountry. Phillip Jeffries new murals have been the way to make that happen. “PJ lets us change the ground,” she said. “ And add height to any existing mural so that the mural can echo the lifestyle you’re already living outside. You’re bringing the outside in! The versatility with the ground and having the same subject matter is huge.”
Below, this dining room is wrapped in the abstract watercolor mural Blur.
Kelly's Favorite Wallcovering
Serenity forever and always. She’s used every color way and often uses it like a mood ring. When Kelly walks into the client’s house, the house tells her what color needs to go up on the walls. For her own style, she gravitates to navy and emerald green for beautiful, dreamy spaces. She just installed Serenity in her bedroom last week. “I wouldn’t put it in my own room if I didn’t want to cocoon,” she said laughing. Below, she chose Serenity in Navy for this bright entryway for a client.
For another bright and colorful home, Kelly created a formal space that feels like you're dining alfresco. The walls are wrapped in Serenity in Green on Marshmallow Manila Hemp and the soft blue trim perfectly frames the wallcovering.
Wood Wallcovering Creates A Wow Factor
Kelly isn’t afraid of bold looks and she wants to help her clients love it, too. Phillip Jeffries provides the antidote to their thinking. “People think that a room just means four walls. If they get scared of patterns or too much color, I try to modify it and say, ‘Let’s do it in the powder room.’ If I have a fabulous wallcovering in the powder room then they say, ‘Oh my gosh I want to do more!’ Phillip Jeffries wallcovering provides spaces with layers of interests and there are so many pattern options for people who are afraid of pattern.”
Items shown: Sculpted Wood, Coffered Wood and our Luxe Natural, Sanctuary, crafted with banana bark.
Kelly's Favorite Wallcoverings In Her Own Home
When you love wallcovering as much as Kelly, you also add it to your own home. She enjoy pattern and color and so in her own home's living room, she wrapped the walls in Phillip Jeffries butterfly wing print, Aflutter, (and on the ceiling, too!). She loves how it brings the outside in. For her home's wet bar area, Kelly used a golden raffia that has a luxurious shimmer. For her primary bedroom she wanted to wake up each morning to her favorite mural and chose Serenity in Navy. "It is amazing to be enveloped everyday in a watery dream!" Shop her style below.
Photos by Kelli Boyd Photography
Bathroom at top: Flight 7052 in Stork White
Designs by Kelly Caron Designs
