A Passion for Preservation

Deidre Webster, principal of Studio Day, crafts projects at the intersection of past and present

March 17, 2025

With a personality that punches and personal style that shines, Deidre Webster (pronounced day-dree) poses in her Minneapolis home’s sun room.

During a remodel of her family’s 1902 home, seventh-grader Deidre Webster learned a thing or two about antiquing when she and her mother scavenged vintage warehouses and picked up fun finds left on the streetside—salvaging everything from crown molding and doors to baseboards and banisters. This, paired with frequent family road trips to architectural marvels like the Biltmore Mansion in North Carolina and other stunning structures designed by the famed Frank Lloyd Wright, taught a young Webster about the many ways in which a space could tell a story through its design.

It was only a matter of time before she turned her upbringing into a career. The Minneapolis native graduated from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities with an interior design degree in 2016, shortly thereafter opening her own firm, Studio Day. Today, Webster abides by a principle historic in nature and modern in functionality, helping homeowners bring their stories to life one room at a time.

A cozy seating nook off the living room in Webster’s 1934 home boasts one of her favorite color combinations: pink and blue.

From the green dining chairs and rich dark woods to the classic hanging chandelier, every element within Webster’s dining room adheres to the home’s historic, charming quality.

How would you describe your design process with clients?

I joke that going through a major remodel or design is like dating. Clients need to trust their [designer] because they’re going to be talking to them about their finances; they’re going to have highs and lows. [Everyone] needs to be able to communicate really well.

Which projects have stuck with you?

My favorite projects are the ones where people put their full trust in us. I feel like being creative is kind of vulnerable—you’re putting your ideas out there or sharing something that might be weird to someone, but they don’t judge you. Those projects feel more storied and layered. It reflects who they are, and those are the best.

Inside Webster’s 1934 Tudor Revival, every design decision complements the home’s history while bringing an elevated level of color, comfort, and charm.

What speaks to your personal style in your own home?

We live in a 1934 Tudor Revival, and there are a lot of architectural, vintage moments in this house that we’ve mixed with some color and more contemporary pieces. Our living room has really beautiful architectural elements to it, and it’s my favorite place to be. It has heavy wood beams and a stone fireplace—all original to 1934—wood floors, and plaster walls.

Tell us about your favorite color combinations.

I always love pink and blue together, and I feel like olive green and powder blue are having a moment right now. I love pink, yellow, and orange, and I also love the colors people say shouldn’t go together. Black and brown? Yes. Navy and black? Bring it on.

Any design element you find underappreciated or overlooked?

I’m really wanting to do tiled counters these days. Everyone’s afraid of dirty grout, but come on, let’s do it!