When an interior designer becomes a retail buyer, individual products are rarely viewed in isolation. The question isn't simply whether something looks good on a shelf, but how it will live within a home, what will sit alongside it and whether it will still feel relevant years later.
That's the perspective Shannon Peppeard brings to Peppeard Design and its curated retail offering, The Pep Line. Having worked in interior design since 2006, Shannon has spent two decades developing an instinct for products that balance aesthetics with the practical realities of scale, comfort, durability and everyday use.
It's an approach that favours longevity over short-lived trends and tightly edited collections over endless choice — while still leaving room for the instinctive reaction that makes a buyer stop when something feels right.
For this edition of Trade Talks Tuesday, we spoke with Shannon about how interior design shapes her buying decisions, identifying products with staying power, the continuing importance of trade shows and what homeware brands need to understand before approaching a retailer.
About Peppeard Design
Peppeard Design is an interior design business led by Principal Designer and owner Shannon Peppeard, who has been working with clients since 2006.
After attending Harrington College of Design, Shannon began her career in the financial sector while continuing to develop her design practice through projects for friends and family. She later established her own interior design business, building an approach centred on creating spaces that reflect the individual client while retaining a timeless, classic aesthetic.
Alongside her interior projects, Shannon curates products for The Pep Line, bringing her experience of how furniture and homeware perform within real interiors into her approach as a retail buyer.
Website: https://peppearddesign.com/
You've spent 20 years designing homes and now also curate products for The Pep Line. How has being an interior designer shaped the way you think as a retail buyer?
As a designer, I'm always thinking about the bigger picture:
"How will this actually live in a space, what will it be paired with and is it something you'll still love five or ten years from now?"
shannon, Peppeard Design
There are plenty of beautiful pieces out there, but the difference is understanding how those individual pieces come together to create a room that feels cohesive and intentional.
My design background naturally helps me do this.
You describe your approach as creating spaces that feel curated, comfortable and designed to last. When you discover a new product or brand, what makes you think, "This belongs in our shop"?
"There has to be something about it that makes me stop."
shannon, Peppeard Design
It could be the texture, the shape, the colour or simply the way it makes me feel. I'm drawn to pieces that are going to help elevate a room, but are also practical enough that you actually use them.
I also trust my gut quite a bit. I think a combination of design perspective and instinct is what brings together my shop's curated and cohesive offering.
With trends moving so quickly through Instagram and other digital channels, how do you distinguish between something that's having a moment and a product your customers will still love years from now?
I think experience helps you develop a little bit of a radar for that.
After 20 years in the design industry, you start to recognise when something is truly timeless.
I look for products that have a good foundation:
"good materials, thoughtful craftsmanship and a sense of personality."
shannon, Peppeard Design
How do you discover new brands and products today, and what role do trade shows play compared with social media, recommendations and sourcing online?
"Trade shows are still my favourite way to discover new brands."
shannon, Peppeard Design
There is something about seeing a product in person, touching the materials, seeing the scale and also meeting the people behind the brand that you simply cannot get from online or social media.
You see products both in beautifully designed interiors and on a retail shelf. What do you think suppliers often misunderstand about creating products that actually work in someone's home?
"Scale is a big one."
shannon, Peppeard Design
Something can look beautiful on a showroom floor but completely wrong for the average home.
"Durability, functionality and comfort also matter just as much as aesthetics."
shannon, Peppeard Design
If an independent homeware or gift brand wanted to catch your attention as a buyer, what would make them stand out — and what advice would you give them before approaching you?
Quality will always go a long way with me.
"I'd much rather see a smaller collection of really thoughtful, well-made products than a huge assortment without good craftsmanship."
shannon, Peppeard Design
I also think it's important for the brand to do its homework before approaching a buyer.
"Know the store you're reaching out to and understand their aesthetic and their customer."
shannon, Peppeard Design
Key Takeaways
Think beyond the individual product. A retail piece needs to work alongside other objects and contribute to a cohesive interior rather than simply looking attractive on its own.
Timelessness starts with strong foundations. Materials, craftsmanship and personality can give products greater longevity than designing around short-lived trends.
Instinct still matters in buying. Commercial considerations are important, but an immediate emotional response can be a powerful indicator that a product belongs in a curated collection.
Design for real homes, not just showrooms. Scale, durability, comfort and functionality are fundamental to whether a homeware product will actually work for the end customer.
Trade shows offer information a screen cannot. Being able to assess materials, proportions and construction in person — while meeting the people behind a brand — remains valuable for buyers.
More choice isn't necessarily better. A smaller, well-made and considered collection can make a stronger impression than an extensive range without consistent quality.
Research the retailer before making contact. Understanding a shop's aesthetic and customer gives brands a much stronger basis for a relevant buyer introduction.
Shannon's experience across both interior design and retail highlights an important distinction between a product that photographs beautifully and one that genuinely works in someone's home. The strongest pieces need to function at both levels — aesthetically compelling enough to catch attention, but considered enough in their proportions, materials and functionality to earn their place long term.
For homeware brands hoping to reach buyers, that makes thoughtful product development, strong craftsmanship and an understanding of the retailer's aesthetic considerably more valuable than simply producing a larger collection.
Want to Reach More Retail Buyers?
Looking to put your brand in front of independent retailers like the ones featured in Trade Talks Tuesday?
Email events@xpofairs.com to book a demo and discover how The Gift Fair USA helps brands connect with qualified buyers all year round.
