Kristin Try Interiors recently welcomed Traci Leonardo as our project manager, and we are thrilled to have her on board and integrate her talents with our client projects and introduce her to our vendors and trade partners.  

We recently did a little Q & A for our Alexandria Stylebook community to get to know her a bit. As a local, Traci shares our love for Alexandria and our community so you may already know her bright smile and welcoming personality! In fact our mutual love for Red Barn Mercantile and design helped us meet and now I see Traci at many of my favorite places around town as well! 

Kristin: Traci tell us about your love for design and how in recent years you’ve focused on building on your passion. I love that we have both been able to work at Red Barn Mercantile with Amy Rutherford to explore interests in furniture and design. Can you share more about your experience at RBM, too? 

Traci: My father-in-law once called me an 'old soul' when he saw the 'treasures' that I'd bring back from my shopping trips, particularly from antique fairs. Before I really understood my love for design, I wouldn't pass up an opportunity to scour through my grandparents' basements and attics claiming old books, throws, silver, or even a nostalgic cookie jar!   I think that's how I came into design because I've always been drawn to things that have a history and I'm always looking for ways to incorporate them into my home and blend old with new and eventually I wanted to learn how to do it better.  

As a new homeowner many years ago, I discovered Red Barn Mercantile in Old Town and instantly fell in love with their furnishings and decor, and they became my go-to for my home.  So, the fact that after all this time, I am now working there and learning about the design procurement process and helping folks find the right pieces for their homes is kind of ironic, but it's so fun to work at a place where you are surrounded by things that make you happy!

It was actually Amy, the owner of Red Barn Mercantile, who suggested getting my certification for interior design which gave me the final push I needed to take the next steps to do this professionally and even introduced me to you and Kristin Try Interiors. And now at KTI, I have the opportunity to continue to learn about the design process and the business side from you, another mentor, and I am so grateful for the opportunity.

Kristin: We love when we get the chance to work with Red Barn Mercantile especially to order Cisco Home furniture! After many years of learning about quality furniture and going to High Point Market it’s still my favorite furniture company. I personally love my Louis Sectional (that easily seats all five in our family and the dog) and highly recommend! What are your favorite Cisco Pieces and RBM items? 

Traci: My favorite Cisco piece is probably my Luccia sofa - enjoyed mostly by my husband with a good book!  I would say my favorite one-of-a-kind item from Red Barn is a beautiful antique desk that was actually used as a display table in the original store on Columbus Street. And my favorite everyday item would have to be Annie Selke rugs - since I have so many of them in my house! I am also very partial to the vintage style Christmas decor that Amy curates each holiday season! (Kristin: I adore the glass Christmas trees we’ve collected over the years and can’t wait to put them on our mantel soon!) 

Kristin: As the holidays are nearing are there any special traditions or ways you make your home cozy, entertain, or decorate?

Traci: Our family has an over-the-top love for Christmas, and we are not afraid to show it!  Starting the day after Thanksgiving, my husband and two boys begin the week-long task of setting up an outdoor Christmas display that includes a collection of approximately 40+ vintage blowmolds and about 80 strands of Christmas lights to create an amazing winter wonderland on our front lawn! We get so much joy watching people walk or drive by and stop to get a closer look or to see if we've added something new from year to year. Then, it is all topped off with our traditional Italian Christmas Eve with the 'Feast of the Seven Fishes' for all of our family and friends to enjoy.  It's our absolute favorite day of the year.

I am so excited to have Traci on our team and look forward to you getting to know her through our Stylebook posts and projects! I also can’t wait to see her home this Christmas! Cheers! 

SEE ALSO: Get your 2025 Project Scheduled with Kristin Try Interiors