Interview with Leah Niese of #RaisingtheBarn

Mar 4, 2022 | Residential

Leah Niese reaching across her kitchen counter toward two small children

Today we sat down with our client Leah Niese, the owner of a newly built lakeside paradise lovingly referred to as “Raising the Barn”. Hear from her as she explains her experience working with our Design Strategists to create her new construction build!

What caused you to seek out a Strategic Designer to help with your new build?

So I actually brought Rachel into the project after the first six meetings with the architect. Before I met Rachel, I was very, very overwhelmed. I was busy with two babies at that time, and we were traveling every 10 days to see my husband.

During the build, my architects would ask me so many questions that were totally out of my league. I had no idea what I was doing!

I actually went through a phase of panic where I had to shut everything down so I could have time to think. So I started Googling.

When I found Rachel's name online, I contacted her and basically said, ‘I need help’. We did a couple of phone interviews back and forth, and I mean instantly, it was like, we clicked.

“She was amazing. Her whole team was – everybody that we've ever worked with was just amazing. They really listened to what I had to say.”

I never could have built my house without them because they knew ALL the ins and the outs- I mean we’re talking from placing an outlet, you know, 2 more feet to the left so our bed frame would fit. Just experts on everything- even the littlest details that a normal person wouldn't think of.”

What did you envision for your home as you were laying out the plans?

“I didn't want it to be fancy- I wanted it to be beautiful. And I wanted people to be in every part of the house without a second thought.”

I wanted it to feel very homey and very inviting. We love having such a big family, and we love to have our family over (obviously!) for any event possible. And so when we were building, I expressed to Rachel that ‘I need a space that people can come and just hang out.

How did you combine your aesthetic preferences with your husband’s?

Rachel started pulling ideas from myself and from my husband, he is very country rustic. He wanted it to be all old barns… and let’s just say I'm a little bit more modern. I love the rustic feel, but I wanted some metals and some industrial feel. And both of us, you know, butting heads were like, how are we going to accomplish this? And Rachel did everything.

“She just took both of our ideas and she combined them perfectly.”

And we literally have the perfect amount of rustic and the perfect amount of industrial together. Magic!”

What are some specific parts of the house that you personally find interesting or love the details of?

I just love the fact that we ended up with maybe eight or nine different barns that range in age – our oldest barn was 1799 all the way through. They all have a little bit different color, but they all tie together beautifully in the home.

I also love that for my floor Rachel found a company out of Kentucky that repurposed old fencing – you can see the character and the color of black throughout the wood. It just tells the story so well. So every time somebody comes in here, I have fun stories to tell them all about our house.”

What was your favorite part of the entire process?

I would have to say right when we were starting to pick out the designs- you know the cabinetry, countertops, etc- I realized I couldn’t communicate what was in my head. But that’s where I really appreciated Rachel so much. She was so thoughtful of my feelings even though she had to change designs so many times for me.

For instance, she designed my daughter's bathroom. And I looked at the 3D rendering like she was a crazy person. Like, what is this? I don’t know how to go about it.

And she said, ‘Just trust me. I feel like you're going to love it.”

So, I said “You know what? Let's just do it.’

And that bathroom is by far my favorite bathroom in the whole house!

Rachel is awesome.

master bedroom looking out window with cozy corner

“I loved working with Rachel and I miss working with her whole team. I wish I could start like a whole new project just so I could bring them on board again, they really are awesome!”

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What does “dopamine décor” mean to you?

Rachel: It’s the pieces that make you happy when you see them. An instant smile or giggle. For me, it’s unexpected whimsy and humor. In my house, I’ve got a brass fox head wearing sunglasses and a monkey-head planter with a gold tooth. They never get old. It’s about surrounding yourself shamelessly with things that make you happy. I can’t wait to bring pieces like this into my new home, Divinely Detroit, the historic church located in Indian Village.

How did you land on the name Moxie?

Rachel: At Concetti, our brand persona is “genuine moxie” which means kind, calm, loving, but bold in who you are. We’re always building our clients up to take that bold, courageous step. Moxie is the bold part. The “I don’t need permission” part. When you choose dopamine décor, you’re choosing to surround yourself with pieces others might not understand, but you love.

Who is Moxie for?

Rachel: It’s for anyone who’s been told they’re too much, too loud, too bold. It’s for the person who wants that little empowering piece in their day whether that’s a trucker hat, a beautiful candle, or funky lamp. It’s for people who want to surround themselves with pieces lovingly crafted and curated to give you a little dose of empowerment.

How do you stay creatively energized when building something from scratch?

Rachel: I’ve never subscribed to the idea that your life should follow a certain timeline. Since I was 16, I knew I wanted to be an interior designer. That’s 23 years of being dedicated to one decision, and it still feels good and in alignment.
When I create something new, it’s like a spark goes off. I listen to that inner knowing. I tell my team, “One step in front of the other.” It might be clumsy, but you’ve got to start moving.

What design rule do you love to break?

Rachel: Any of them. If I want to turn my dining room into a recording studio or a kids’ playroom, then I will, and you should feel empowered to, as well. The only rules worth following are the ones that make you feel good in your own space.

What advice would you give to creatives who feel “too much” for the design world?

Rachel: There’s no such thing. What you’ve been told is “too much” is your superpower. That’s what makes you different and magnetic. Stand in your power. Make decisions from alignment, not shame or guilt. Be unapologetically you because that’s when you really shine.

Favorite dopamine décor brands or artists?

Rachel: Regina Andrew (Detroit-based and stunning), Seletti (monkeys holding lightbulbs, peacock lamps), Noir (the hand chair!), Bold Monkey, Zoe Bios (customizable art), and Eric & Eloise (quirky brass animal heads). I make them weird with purple lights in my basement because it makes me laugh every time.

What do you hope people feel when they bring home a Moxie piece?

Rachel: I want them to feel excited and happy. I want unboxing to be an experience that exceeds expectations whether it’s something you wear and feel empowered in or something in your home or business that gives you that hit of joy every time you pass it.

What does success look like for Moxie?

Rachel: Moxie is more than numbers, it’s a movement. It’s about inclusivity, empowerment, and telling people they’re perfect exactly as they are.

One mindset shift that changed everything for you as a founder?

Rachel: Realizing that everything I need is already within me. I can surround myself with mentors and partners, but at the end of the day, I’m the only one living my truth.

Advice for creatives carving their own path?

Rachel: Persistence wins. Your journey is your own. Do the things that light you up and keep going. Pause to reflect on what’s working, what’s draining you, and what you can add back in to make you excited again. There’s no one else like you so own it.

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