In the McGee household, theres almost always a fresh candle burning and a written to-do list getting done.
In 10 short years, Shea McGee has practically become a household name.
(In certain design-oriented or Target-loving households, shes held that lofty household name status for years.)
Credit:Studio McGee | Design: Better Homes & Gardens
Since startingStudio McGeein 2014 with her husband, Syd, Shea has built a following of millions on Instagram.
The last 10 years have been busy, to say the least, for the McGees.
Shea McGees House Rules
In the McGee home, there needs to be some level of order.
Credit:Studio McGee | Design: Better Homes & Gardens
Read on for the rules she does uphold, her approach to scents, and more.
I try not to be really big on house rules.
Theyre not on our wall, I guess I could say.
Credit:Studio McGee | Design: Better Homes & Gardens
I like a tidy house.
I keep a basket of shoes by the door.
The bottom of my stairs is the collector pile for my kids, all their things.
And shutting the door to the backyard.
[Laughs] Really simple, but those are the things when you have three kids.
Its like, just keep the door closed like.
Do you keep a basket there for carrying things upstairs, or is it a grab one thing rule?
But the big one is more at the end of the night.
Im big on scent.
I typically have a candle going.
And thats usually in the entryway or the kitchen, at minimum.
When you walk into a house and it smells like your house or your home, you feel greeted.
And I would say just making sure that nothing feels so fancy or fussy.
And thats how I approach design, so that it feels comfortable.
But then Im also in love with my house at the same time.
Q: Being in love with where you live is so important.
Im always messing with my house.
Q: Going back to scent, do you use seasonal scents?
Or do you just have some you use year round?
I am all over the place.
Candles are one of those memento items that Ill buy for myself.
Its more what Im inspired by at the moment, and I like the scent to fit the season.
So right now I have a more spring-oriented scent going.
Q: Do you find yourself returning to any scents year after year?
I am big on a sea salt scent.
We have one at McGee & Co. called Salt and Sea.
I use that one, that ones always a go to.
I also love a sandalwood-based scent.
I guess I like to feel like Im on vacation.
The greatest thing for me when someone just sneaks in and does the dishes at the end.
But if they do that at the end, Im like, Oh, thats great.
Q: Do you have any favorite hand soap scents right now?
I change those out.
Right now Im using a citrus and birch one, but I really love theFlamingo Estateone.
This is kind of random but Ouai haircare,their hand soapsmells really good.
[Laughs] I love to pick them up when Im on trips typically, too.
Q: Youve built a hugely successful career out of home design.
Is decorating your personal home still fun?
Is it fun, or is it work, or is it a little bit of both?
I truly love what I do.
But the problem for me is that I cant turn it off.
So Im working from the basement right now.
I just finished a small remodel in other areas of my house.
So I cant turn it off.
Im pretty good at being able to turn it off in other peoples homes.
I dont know, some peoplecannotturn it off.
I can walk into a friends home and just talk to them and make no suggestions.
When Im traveling, I take in everything as inspiration.
I am taking everything in and filing it away for later.
Q: What organizational rules of thumb keep your life and household running smoothly?
Syd and I live and die by our shared Google Calendar.
And so that is something that keeps our household going.
We always do that before they can go play with friendstheyve got to get those to-dos checked off.
And then online grocery order and delivery.
That for me is a game changer because I can do it on my phone really quickly.
Q: When youre hosting, do you prefer a casual setting or a more formal one?
Or does it really depend on the occasion and whos coming over?
It depends on the occasion.
But if the occasion called for something formal, I would go all in and thats fun, too.
It makes them feel like, OK, time to settle in.
And so having something for people to do actually really goes a long way for everyone to feel comfortable.
Having something for people to do actually really goes a long way for everyone to feel comfortable.
I think lighting makes a big difference.
Q: Where do you stand on the overhead light debate?
Im kind of in the middle, where sometimes you just need it because you better see!
But for a party, I dont want my overhead lights on.
Q: How do you unwind at the end of the day?
For a typical day?
Syd and I are early risers.
We put the kids down and were headed to bed!
We like to hang out and chat at the end of the day.
Its nice to just see each other, chat, hang out.
Syd and Ieven though we run a business together, we never end up overlapping in our roles.
Q: Are there any house rules that you grew up with that you uphold now?
My dad was always bugging us to turn the lights off.
[Laughs]
I grew up in Houston, and the bugs are terrible.
It was always like, Shut the window!
Q: Time for a few quick-fire questions.
Top sheet or no top sheet?
Q: Faux or living plants?
Q: Should the toilet paper roll go over or under?
Q: Shoes on or off inside?
Were off and on.
Clean as I cook.
Dishes in the sink and then we do them.
