In an Arlington home, an heirloom quilt tops the primary suite’s hand-welded steel bed from Room & Board; the vintage oil painting adds character. Photo: Stacy Zarin Goldberg
Interior décor has been a passion for Kevin Billings since his Leesburg childhood, when he spent many a weekend redecorating his room.
After studying communications and marketing in college, Billings worked for eight years in residential property management, honing his skills remodeling and staging luxury apartments. “When covid happened,” he recalls, “I burned out and decided I was ready to go out on my own.” In 2021, he launched the design firm Dexter & Plaid.
A thread of nostalgia is woven into all of his projects. Even when clients request a modern look, he typically incorporates vintage accents, scouring Etsy, 1stdibs and antiques shops. “Adding things that have been worn and loved and have a patina makes interiors feel less stark,” he explains.
Billings traces this affinity for timeless treasures to his mother and grandmother. “They both had meticulous homes where everything felt very intentional,” remembers the designer, whose current home in Leesburg contains many family heirlooms.
Likewise, Billings urges clients to select furniture, art and accessories that elicit fond memories. As he reflects, “I want people to walk into their finished homes and feel like they’ve lived there already.”
Interior Design: Kevin Billings, Dexter & Plaid, Leesburg, Virginia.