Spotlight on Crystal Gentilello: Founding Editor in Chief of Rue Magazine

At the age of 27, Crystal Gentilello, founded Rue, a fantastic online magazine filled with tons of great design ideas and inspiration for creating interiors that feel lively, comfortable and welcoming. We talked to Crystal about her unique aesthetic and how she chooses designers to feature in the pages of Rue. 

Your concept of “The Modern Traditionalist” really resonates with our brands’ core aesthetic philosophies. Can you talk a little more about what that means to you?

I like to decorate in a way that feels timeless; my favorite interiors worked as well yesterday as they will today or tomorrow. My style is all about incorporating things of the past – whether new-to-me antiques or heirlooms with sentimental value – with what feels current and new. We love that Williams-Sonoma’s products are designed with attention to detail and built with an emphasis on quality. They’re the kind of pieces that feel as special today as they will twenty years from now.

There seems to be a recurring theme in Rue that praises the eco aspect of “upcycling” or bringing new life to the well-made furnishings you already have – and to buy things that will last to begin with – things that are crafted in a way that they’ll “support the way you live and keep you from falling into a fad.” How do you know when to mine what you already have and when to start fresh with a great new piece?

It’s so important to invest in quality pieces that will stand the test of time. I look for pieces with classic silhouettes and strong craftsmanship that could always be updated with fresh fabric or hardware down the road. When you buy pieces that are built to last a lifetime, it’s easy to upcycle them in a way that feels current and new. These are the pieces that you’ll be able to carry with you from one home to the next and that inject classic appeal into any interior.

In a previous issue of Rue, you say “we all have that one thing we can’t resist” – what’s yours?

I definitely gravitate toward accessories like mirrors and throw pillows. That’s always the first category I click when I’m online shopping! Once you’ve invested in quality basics, updating your accessories is the easiest and most affordable way to breathe new life into a more traditional look. 

What’s the latest design trend that you think has real staying power?

Lately I think we’ve seen people moving away from defining their style in just one word (like “industrial” or “modern”) and instead gravitating toward a more layered and eclectic look. Having style today is being able to pull from different styles, to combine pieces from different eras, and to put your own unique spin on that look. The shift toward personal style that we’ve seen in fashion is definitely catching on in interior design and we love to celebrate that individuality in the pages of Rue.

Each of the designers you feature has such a unique background and fresh point of view. What's your process for choosing them?

We aim for a mix of celebrated designers and newly discovered talent. It’s fun to work with iconic designers like Vicente Wolf but there’s a certain thrill in discovering the undiscovered. We look to feature anyone who has incredible style and spaces that inspire. We want Rue readers to be able to take something away from each home and feel like they can incorporate at least one idea into their own space.