Designing Dreams, Building Legacies: The Inspiring Journey of Roane Loudermilk and Loudermilk Designs
Every curve of the ceiling and every hue of a wall tells a story in the interior design world. Roane Loudermilk is an artist and architect of dreams from this world. Roane’s journey is as interesting as the color combinations she uses in her designs. Her journey started from the chalkboards of a first-grade classroom, and now she is the Founder and Principal of ‘Loudermilk Designs’.
From Classroom to Construction Sites
Roane’s story begins in the chaos of a first-grade classroom. In the early 2000s, she was a dedicated teacher who was busy shaping young minds. While her husband, Sherwin, worked as a sales representative at IBM. But when they started flipping homes in their spare time, something extraordinary began to take root. What began as a side project soon became the foundation of their careers.
“We saw the profitability,” Roane recalls, “but more than that, we saw the fulfillment of transforming something ordinary into something exceptional.” Roane found herself captivated by the power of design. By 2009, Sherwin founded their luxury custom home business, Loudermilk Homes, while Roane chose to focus on raising their daughter, Mina. However, she remained passionate about designing interior spaces for Loudermilk Homes. Roane recalls the early years of both the company and Mina’s life, saying, “She watched me land deals from her playpen and manage contractors from her car seat.” She proudly states, “I wanted her to see that being a mother is the best job in the world, but it doesn’t mean you stop being yourself.”
As years passed, Roane’s ‘hodgepodge’ of tasks evolved into mastery. After nearly a decade of designing, she decided to carve her own space in the industry. In 2018, she officially launched ‘Loudermilk Designs’, a sister company to Loudermilk Homes. And this is how her ascent as a trailblazer in luxury design began.
Building Beauty from Blueprint to Reality
From the beginning, Roane was clear that Loudermilk Designs would not be the conventional interior design firm. She envisioned it as a “one-stop shop” for home modifications. A symphony of creativity and construction, where design was incorporated into the structure of the house.
“Dolling up a house isn’t always achieved through rugs and throw pillows,” she says. “True design begins long before the shovel hits the ground.” Her team collaborates with builders and homeowners to ensure that every choice, be it lighting or countertops, reflects both artistry and practicality.
What sets Loudermilk Designs apart is its fusion of design and construction knowledge, creating a holistic experience for clients. Roane and her team understand every aspect of the building process, hence ensuring balance between vision and execution.
The Grace and Grit of Leadership
Being a woman in the male-dominated industry is never easy. “In any field, women face challenges,” Roane admits. “For me, the biggest one was learning to ‘keep the peace’ while staying firm.”
“But I’ve never been one to take that sort of behavior,” she says, her voice steady. “Every decision I make is for my loved ones, and if I want to teach them anything, it is ‘to always speak up’.”
This balance of strength and compassion is the ideology of Roane’s leadership. “The five women who work with me are my little family,” she says warmly. “We celebrate each other’s wins, support one another’s struggles, and fill every day with laughter.” Her message for her team is simple yet profound: “Live above the line.” Communication, empathy, and authenticity are the cornerstones of her company’s culture. “If you appreciate someone’s work, say it. If you’ve had a bad day, be honest before it becomes someone else’s bad day. There are no divas here, only collaborators.”
Design Philosophy: “Design it Like It’s Yours”
Every Loudermilk Designs project begins with a four-step process that can be termed the journey from inspiration to masterpiece.
- Inspiration: The team draws inspiration from the client’s point of view. Clients share their idea of a dream home, whether it is a single heirloom chair or a Pinterest board full of possibilities.
- Design: The team then creates detailed moodboards and virtual renderings that allow clients to visualize their dream spaces.
- Finishes: Every design needs finishing touches, and this stage takes care of that. This fine-tuning stage involves final adjustments made with precision and patience.
- Home Sweet Home: The final stage, when the team installs every design element that turns the structure into a home.
Their philosophy, “Design it Like it’s Yours,” is not just the tagline; it is their ideology. “We treat every project with the care we’d give our own home,” Roane explains. “It’s an honor to be trusted with such an intimate space, the place where people’s lives unfold.”
Awards, Accolades, and Accolades of the Heart
The industry soon took notice of their outstanding work. As a result, Loudermilk Designs has won multiple Obie Awards, contributed to Southern Living Showcase Houses, and collaborated with the Cashiers Historical Society Designer Showhouse, where they designed the celebrated dining room and all the home’s selections.
Accolades are achievements, but they are not what drive Roane. It is the human connection that happens when a client walks into their finished home and whispers, “This feels like me.” Roane says that moment is worth more than any award. Their deep knowledge of construction, combined with trusted partnerships with trade professionals, allows Loudermilk Designs to provide an end-to-end experience unlike any other. From budgeting to installation, the transparency of their process ensures that clients dream big as well as dream wisely.
Embracing Trends, Honoring Timelessness
Research, travel, and collaboration are Loudermilk Designs’ way of staying ahead of trends. The team attends design showcases like IBS, KBIS, and High Point Market to stay up-to-date with the trends and innovations. “Social media is also a huge influence,” Roane adds. “That’s where our clients get inspired, so we meet them where they are.”
Her designers also work for their internal real estate company, The Loudermilk Group, which manages listings worth over $40 million in Georgia and North Carolina. This dual expertise allows her staff to analyze market trends and outshine competitors. It is a rare advantage that makes the team’s designs beautiful and strategic.
The Road Ahead
As Loudermilk Designs continues to grow, expansion is on the horizon. Their projects are already spanning from Los Angeles to Miami, but Roane is determined to take her Southern charm nationwide. “We want to grow beyond our Southern bubble,” she says, “and continue to partner with new builders while strengthening our real estate footprint.”
Her goal is to expand the business, but not at the cost of the human touch that defines it. “Every home we touch carries a piece of us,” she reflects. “That’s something I never want to lose, no matter how big we grow.”
Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Female Entrepreneurs
Roane’s advice for women entering creative industries is simple but inspiring. “Immerse yourself in your field,” she insists. “Find mentors, surround yourself with like-minded people, not those who think exactly like you, but those who value collaboration, grit, and authenticity.”
She also emphasizes that it is important to set your goal to maintain focus and momentum. “Passion can waver, but goals keep you grounded.” And she shares a practical and heartfelt piece of advice, “Check your ego at the door.” She insists collaboration requires humility. “There’s no room for both you and your ego in the same workspace.”
Keeping the Human Touch in a Digital World
Today, Artificial Intelligence is creeping into creative industries, but Roane’s stance is clear. “AI is an amazing tool, but in design, it lacks soul,” she says. “It can mimic, but it can’t feel. A home is a living, breathing space, the foundation of people’s lives. Would you let AI choose what warms your heart?”
She embraces technology while safeguarding the human connection that makes every home unique. “We are not just designing spaces,” she says softly, “we are designing lives.”
The Legacy of Loudermilk Designs
‘Loudermilk Designs‘ story is not just a success story. It is a story of perseverance, partnership, and passion. Their story is built on late nights, paint-stained hands, and unwavering belief.
Roane Loudermilk didn’t just build a company; she built a movement. A movement that celebrates women’s strength, champions authenticity, and proves that beauty is not just in what we see but in how we make people feel.
As she continues to design homes across America, one thing remains constant: her guiding philosophy: “Design it like it’s yours, because for someone, it always will be.”
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