Town & Sea Designer Spotlight

Meet Ryann Swan Hackett

Owner and Principal Designer of Ryann Swan Design

Town and Sea is thrilled to give you an insider look at the gorgeous work of interior designer Ryann Swan Hackett! Ryann is known for mixing antiques into her thoughtful, tailored and curated designs. Her projects have been featured in various publications such as Architectural Digest, LUXE Interiors + Design, Southern Living, House Beautiful and Good Housekeeping. We sat down with Ryann to discuss how she adds unique auction and consignment finds into her projects. Read on for the full interview and shop Ryann’s Curated Collection on Town & Sea!

When sourcing furnishings, especially antiques, what do you look for in a piece?

I am always on the hunt for amazing pieces, especially on Town & Sea! I look for a piece that is constructed beautifully, has unique details, or something that can be reupholstered with a fabric personalized for my clients

Gateleg, pie crust, bobbin…antique tables have elements that mass-produced furniture cannot replicate. What is your favorite antique table to use in your designs?

Two of my favorites are gateleg and pie crust tilt-top tables. The beauty is truly in the details, and the best way to source them is from antique dealers and auctions. They just don’t make them like they used to! This gateleg table pictured below from our Old Greenwich project was one of my favorite finds at the height of the pandemic.

Not only did procuring this beauty rule out the crazy lead times, but it brought the ultimate charm needed for this gorgeous entrway.
– Ryann Swan Hackett

We would love to know about the design inspiration for this beautiful dining room in your Lake Wylie Project. Every detail adds so much character!

The dining room is situated in the front of the home and is the only room not boasting waterfront views, so we used the custom wall mural to tie the interior to the exterior. The house is also a historic property, and we were conscious to be thoughtful in designing a space that respectfully nodded to that history without feeling thematic. I love how the fabric chandelier brings a modern touch to the room!

Have you ever centered a design around a light fixture?

Lighting is by far my favorite item to source for projects. Hanging at eye-level, I feel you get so much more bang for your buck as they create such visual impact – staying off the ground, they are also well protected from kiddos and doggos. In our East Hampton project, we focused on sourcing structural and artistic lighting and selected two statement chandeliers for the den and dining room. These fixtures do double duty to bridge the gap between the ceiling plane and ground-level furnishings and also act as jewelry for the room!

Talk to us about dressing walls…

Sourcing paintings and mirrors from auctioneers, like Town & Sea, gives our projects a one-of-a-kind element. I love adding the unexpected by installing wall decor on custom hardware.

Children’s bedrooms must be a favorite to design. We adore this sweet bedroom in your recent Lake Wylie project. What did you center this design around?

For a girl’s room, it can be all about the bed! In this particular room, we wanted to design a custom upholstered bed to bring in fun patterns and color throughout the room. This green gingham fabric with pink piping was the perfect bed to complement the floral bedding we chose. Upholstered beds are comfortable and an ideal way to layer in pattern.

We may be headed into colder weather, but fire pits and heat lamps can make outdoor furniture enjoyable year round! What were your design plans for this gorgeous porch in Kiawah?

We wanted to add texture to the porch and wicker was the perfect complement to the woven lights hung above. Wicker is an ideal material for the outdoor elements and it also adds warmth and invitation to a dinner setting.

Thank you so much, Ryann! Be sure to take a peek at Ryann’s favorite Town & Sea pieces in her Town & Sea Curated Collection.

Happy Shopping!

-Lacey