From the World of Kevin Francis Design

Behind the Stripes
with Kevin Francis O'Gara

There's something magical about the way light filters through a room in the late afternoon, illuminating the gentle rhythm of stripes on a well-loved sofa. It was in one such moment, surrounded by the layered beauty of my grandmother's beach house, that the vision for Striped Sofa Co. was born.

I've always believed that the most beautiful rooms tell stories—not through grand gestures or fleeting trends, but through the quiet accumulation of thoughtful choices made over time. A vintage painting here, a worn-out design book there, and at the center of it all, furniture that serves as both foundation and friend. Pieces that welcome you home each day and age gracefully alongside the memories you create.

My Design Journey

Growing up as a fifth-generation Atlantan, I was raised with an appreciation for Southern joie de vivre and the art of gracious living. My parents' love for cooking and entertaining filled our home with warmth, teaching me early that the most meaningful spaces are those designed for life to unfold naturally within them.

As a sophomore in high school, I founded my design blog Thou Swell, driven by an insatiable curiosity about how rooms could feel both timeless and alive. What began as teenage musings about mixing antiques with contemporary pieces has evolved into a platform that's been featured in Better Homes & Gardens, Domino, HGTV Magazine, and House Beautiful. Through collaborations with dozens of design brands, I've learned that the most impactful design isn't about following rules—it's about understanding the deeper language of how we live.

At 21, an aerial photograph of the gardens at Château de Villandry sparked the founding of my design studio Kevin Francis Design, and the debut Labyrinth Collection of rugs. As a painter and collagist at heart, I approach my rug designs like a blank canvas, letting inspiration flow from Atlanta's magnificent trees, whose seasonal changes continue to influence my organic aesthetic.

My Philosophy: New Regency Style™

My signature approach, which I've coined New Regency Style™, celebrates the tension between reverence and rebellion. It's about honoring the craftsmanship and grace of traditional design while infusing it with a youthful contemporary spirit that feels fresh and relevant. This philosophy recognizes that the most enduring interiors aren't museums—they're living, breathing spaces that evolve with their inhabitants.

Why Stripes, Why Now

In a world increasingly dominated by fast furniture and fleeting trends, stripes represent something profound: the beauty of pattern that transcends time. From the awnings of French seaside villages to the upholstery of English manor houses, stripes have graced the most elegant interiors for centuries, yet they never feel dated.

There's an honesty to stripes—a rhythmic simplicity that provides the perfect backdrop for layered living. They're confident enough to anchor a room yet humble enough to let your treasures shine. Whether paired with a collection of blue and white ceramics or a gallery wall of family photographs, striped upholstery becomes the steady heartbeat around which life's beautiful chaos can dance.

The Search for Something Better

As I curated rooms for clients and my own home, I found myself constantly frustrated by the compromise between beauty and practicality. The most gorgeous fabrics couldn't withstand real life, while performance fabrics often sacrificed soul for durability. I dreamed of upholstery that could handle spilled wine and muddy paws without losing its elegance—fabrics that would age gracefully rather than simply survive.

This search led me to discover innovative fibers that achieve true performance through engineering rather than chemicals. Here was fabric that could be both beautiful and bulletproof, sophisticated and safe for families. It was the missing piece I'd been seeking: luxury without compromise.

Crafting Heirloom Pieces

Every sofa we create begins with the understanding that furniture should be an investment in your family's story, not a placeholder until something better comes along. Our artisans in North Carolina bring generations of woodworking knowledge to each frame, using techniques that have been refined over decades.

There's something deeply satisfying about knowing your sofa was built by skilled hands using time-honored methods. In an age of mass production and planned obsolescence, we're committed to creating pieces that can be passed down through generations—sofas that will witness first steps, holiday gatherings, lazy Sunday mornings, and all the quiet moments that make a house a home.

The Details That Matter

Our obsession with quality extends to every element you'll never see: the hardwood frames, the hand-tied springs, the layers of natural padding that create that perfect sink-in comfort. We source our performance fabrics from mills that share our commitment to safety and sustainability, ensuring that every thread meets our exacting standards.

The British-inspired names of our collections—Chelsea, Belgravia, Pimlico—reflect not just an aesthetic influence but a design philosophy that values subtlety over spectacle, quality over quantity. These are pieces designed to whisper rather than shout, to complement rather than compete with the life you've built within your walls.

A Personal Touch

Living in Atlanta with my poodles Leopold and Persephone, I'm constantly reminded that the best design accommodates real life in all its messy, wonderful glory. My home serves as both testing ground and inspiration, where every piece must earn its place through both beauty and practicality.

As a Cancer who thrives on sunshine and water, I find endless inspiration in the natural world around me. The way morning light plays across a room, the rhythm of rain against windows, the particular quality of golden hour in the South—these moments inform every design decision we make.

This is furniture for people who understand that a home should be a sanctuary, not a showroom. For those who believe that the most beautiful rooms are the ones where life is actually lived, where children play and pets nap, and friends gather long into the evening.

Our Promise to You

When you choose Striped Sofa Co., you're not just buying furniture—you're investing in a philosophy that celebrates both craftsmanship and comfort, tradition and innovation. You're choosing pieces designed to be the quiet foundation upon which your life's most beautiful moments unfold.

We believe in furniture that tells your story, not ours. Pieces that serve as the backdrop for dinner parties and quiet mornings, holiday traditions and everyday rituals. Sofas that will look as beautiful in twenty years as they do the day they arrive, carrying the patina of a life well-lived.

In a world of endless options and fleeting trends, we offer something different: the confidence that comes from choosing well. Furniture that honors both your design sensibilities and your values, created by artisans who understand that true luxury lies not in excess, but in excellence.