When we think about reinvention after 50, most of us picture starting a new hobby, traveling more, or finally tackling the projects we’ve been putting off for years. We don’t often imagine launching entirely new product lines, writing a book, building national partnerships, and setting even bigger goals than we had in our 30s.
But that’s exactly what my friend and this week’s Living Ageless and Bold guest, Edith-Anne Duncan, has done.
Edith-Anne is a nationally recognized interior designer whose work has transformed homes across the Southeast. Her designs have appeared in national magazines, she’s authored the stunning coffee table book Southern Sensibility at Home, and she’s expanded her business into designer rugs, mahjong mats, home furnishings, and exciting new collaborations. Yet what impressed me most during our conversation wasn’t her long list of accomplishments—it was her mindset.
She has never stopped asking one simple question:
“What’s next?”
I think that’s a question every woman over 50 should ask herself.
Too often, we reach a milestone and assume we’ve arrived. We raise our children, build our careers, pay off the mortgage, or finally have a little breathing room. Society tells us we’ve earned the right to slow down.
Edith-Anne sees this season completely differently.
For her, empty nest didn’t represent the end of a chapter.
It became the beginning of an even bigger one.
Goals Give You Something to Look Forward To
One of the reasons I was so excited to have Edith-Anne on the podcast is because we’ve had several conversations about life after our children leave home. Like me, she understands that empty nesting isn’t simply about missing your kids. It’s also about rediscovering yourself.
At the beginning of our interview, we talked about how important goals become during this stage of life. I shared that I intentionally create both personal and professional goals—from planning trips to see my children to setting new career milestones—because having something to anticipate keeps you moving forward instead of dwelling on what’s behind you. Edith-Anne immediately agreed. Goals, she said, are essential both personally and professionally.
That conversation set the tone for the entire episode.
Every accomplishment Edith-Anne described eventually led to another goal.
Her first dream was to have her work featured in a national magazine.
When she accomplished that, she set another goal.
She wanted to be on the cover.
After appearing on multiple covers, she asked herself another question.
What’s next?
The answer was writing a book.
Today, she’s a published author whose beautiful coffee table book showcases homes throughout Virginia and South Carolina while sharing her philosophy that every home should reflect the people who live there—not simply the latest design trends.
Listening to her describe that progression reminded me that success isn’t about reaching one destination. It’s about continuing to grow.
Your Home Should Tell Your Story
One of my favorite moments during our interview came when Edith-Anne explained something I’d never heard another designer say.
Before she begins designing a home, she wants to see her client’s closet.
When she first told me that over lunch months ago, I remember thinking, What does a closet have to do with interior design?
Her explanation makes perfect sense.
The colors we wear, the patterns we’re naturally drawn to, the textures we choose, and whether we prefer classic, modern, or eclectic styles reveal who we are. Our homes should reflect those same preferences because the spaces we live in should feel as comfortable and authentic as the clothes we love wearing.
That insight was an “aha” moment for me.
My husband Steve and I recently completed a major renovation, and I realized our finished home truly reflects how we live and who we are. It isn’t trying to imitate someone else’s style. It feels personal.
That’s exactly what Edith-Anne believes great design should accomplish.
Her book reinforces that philosophy by showcasing a wide variety of homes—from beach houses to family homes to empty nest homes—while emphasizing that every project begins by understanding the people who live there. She asks clients how they entertain, whether they have pets, how they spend time together, and what family treasures matter most. Those answers become the blueprint for every design decision.
The New Reality of Family Heirlooms
One topic I couldn’t wait to discuss was something so many empty nesters are experiencing.
What happens to all the family furniture?
Many of us grew up believing we’d inherit cherished antiques, pass them down to our children, and continue those traditions for generations. But today’s young adults often have different lifestyles, different homes, and different design preferences.
I shared with Edith-Anne that before taking a trip with our son, I walked through our house with a video camera, explaining which five items truly mattered to our family and why. Everything else, I told my children, they could let go if they wanted.
Edith-Anne smiled because she’s seeing something similar.
Her son appreciates traditional artwork more than she expected, while her daughter gravitates toward cleaner, more contemporary pieces. Brown furniture? Not so much.
Instead of lamenting changing tastes, she encourages families to find balance. Blend meaningful heirlooms with newer pieces. Let your home evolve while still honoring the stories behind the items that matter most. A home filled only with antiques can begin to feel like a museum. A home with no history can feel impersonal. The magic happens somewhere in the middle.
Great Design Doesn’t Have to Cost a Fortune
Another reason I admire Edith-Anne’s approach is that she doesn’t believe beautiful homes have to be filled exclusively with expensive furnishings.
That may surprise people, especially considering she designs luxury homes throughout the Southeast.
When I asked about decorating on a budget, she immediately mentioned stores like Target, HomeGoods, and TJ Maxx without hesitation. She even laughed about having a tray from Target in her own home. Her philosophy is simple: mix high-end investment pieces with affordable finds that bring personality and warmth into a space.
That made me laugh because it’s exactly how I decorate.
I shared the story of searching forever for the perfect dining room rug. We looked at countless expensive options before my daughter, who lives in Chicago, found one on Amazon. I finally ordered it for about $150, and today it’s one of the first things people compliment when they walk into our home. Even a designer friend immediately asked me for the link because she wanted to use it in future projects.
I think that’s incredibly refreshing.
Sometimes we assume creating a beautiful home requires replacing everything we own with designer pieces. Edith-Anne proves that’s simply not true. Great design is about balance, layering, and creating spaces that feel collected over time rather than purchased all at once.
That’s advice that extends far beyond decorating.
Life itself is rarely built all at once. We create it piece by piece, experience by experience, until one day we look around and realize we’ve built something uniquely our own.
Building a Brand Beyond Interior Design
As if designing extraordinary homes weren’t enough, Edith-Anne has been quietly expanding her business into entirely new areas.
What began as an interior design firm has grown into a lifestyle brand.
She now designs her own rug collections, personally selecting every pattern and thread color to coordinate with the rooms she creates. Her rugs were inspired by the response to her book, where readers continually asked where they could purchase the unique designs featured throughout its pages. Instead of simply answering the question, Edith-Anne created an entirely new business.
Then came another opportunity.
A company approached her about designing mahjong mats—a perfect fit given the growing popularity of the game. Soon after, she launched collaborations featuring pillows, bedding, shower curtains, outdoor furnishings, and other home décor products.
What struck me wasn’t simply the number of projects she has underway.
It was the way she described each one with genuine excitement.
She’s still curious.
She’s still creating.
She’s still asking what’s possible.
I think that’s one of the defining characteristics of successful women over 50. They don’t stop learning simply because they’ve reached a certain age. They continue exploring ideas that genuinely excite them.
Authenticity Is Your Greatest Brand
One of my favorite parts of our conversation had nothing to do with decorating.
It had everything to do with branding.
As someone who has spent decades helping entrepreneurs earn media coverage and build visibility, I couldn’t resist asking Edith-Anne how she has created such a recognizable personal brand.
Her answer was beautifully simple.
Stay authentic.
She still manages her own social media because she believes no one else can truly capture her voice. Her colorful glasses have become part of her signature look. Her love of dogs naturally appears throughout her content. The vibrant colors she’s known for stem from childhood memories of shopping with her grandmother at Lilly Pulitzer every summer. None of it feels manufactured because it isn’t. It’s simply who she is.
I couldn’t agree more.
I’ve always believed that authenticity is one of the most valuable assets anyone can have—whether you’re building a business, growing a personal brand, or simply showing up online. People connect with people, not perfection.
In today’s world of polished social media feeds and AI-generated content, authenticity has become a competitive advantage.
Edith-Anne isn’t trying to become someone else.
She’s simply becoming more of herself.
And that’s exactly why people are drawn to her.
Empty Nest Can Be the Beginning of Your Biggest Chapter
Naturally, we also talked about empty nesting.
Like so many parents, Edith-Anne hasn’t completely transformed her children’s bedrooms yet. They’re still young enough that those rooms continue to feel like home when they visit. Instead, she’s focused her creative energy on other areas of her home, including a beautiful outdoor retreat she affectionately calls her “book patio.”
Listening to her describe this peaceful space made me smile because it reminded me of our own home.
When our children moved away, Steve and I finally tackled projects we’d been dreaming about for years. We created what we jokingly call our “COVID pool,” renovated the first floor of our home, remodeled bathrooms, and slowly began creating spaces that reflected this new season of life.
Our children tease us about waiting until they left to make everything so nice.
But I think many empty nesters understand exactly why it happens.
This isn’t about replacing our children.
It’s about rediscovering ourselves.
Our homes evolve because we evolve.
Our priorities shift.
Our lifestyles change.
And that’s okay.
In fact, it’s something worth celebrating.
Why “What’s Next?” Is Such a Powerful Question
Toward the end of our conversation, I asked Edith-Anne what comes next.
I already knew the answer wouldn’t be “retirement.”
Instead, she lit up as she described ideas she’s sketching for a future furniture collection, possible lighting collaborations, another book, and even launching a YouTube channel to answer the thousands of design questions she receives.
That’s when our conversation became much bigger than interior design.
We both laughed about the fact that some of our biggest professional opportunities have happened in our late 50s. While Edith-Anne is designing new product lines, I’ve stepped into an exciting new television role with America’s Steals & Deals. Neither of us feels like we’re slowing down.
We’re just getting started.
I hope every woman reading this hears that message.
Your age isn’t the finish line.
It may actually be your greatest advantage.
You have decades of experience, perspective, resilience, and wisdom that simply can’t be rushed. Those qualities become the foundation for everything you build next.
The Best Advice Edith-Anne Shared
As we wrapped up, I asked Edith-Anne what advice she would give someone starting a business later in life.
Her answer surprised me.
She didn’t say work harder.
She didn’t say hustle more.
She didn’t even say believe in yourself.
She said, learn to say no.
When you’re building something exciting, it’s tempting to accept every opportunity. But eventually, saying yes to everything means you can’t give your best to anyone. Great businesses—and great reputations—are built by serving people exceptionally well, not by overcommitting yourself.
I think that’s advice every entrepreneur needs to hear.
Sometimes growth isn’t about doing more.
It’s about doing the right things exceptionally well.
Living Ageless and Bold
One of the greatest gifts of hosting Living Ageless and Bold is meeting women who continue redefining what’s possible after 50.
Edith-Anne Duncan is one of those women.
She reminds us that success doesn’t have to peak in our 30s or 40s. Reinvention doesn’t have an expiration date. Creativity doesn’t diminish with age. And empty nest doesn’t have to feel like an ending.
It can become the season when you finally have the freedom to ask yourself:
What’s next?
Whether your dream is writing a book, launching a business, redesigning your home, learning a new skill, or simply creating a life that reflects the woman you’ve become, I hope Edith-Anne’s story inspires you to take that first step.
Because as we both agreed during our conversation…
It’s never too late.
If you haven’t listened to my conversation with Edith-Anne Duncan yet, I hope you will. You’ll come away with practical decorating ideas, entrepreneurial wisdom, and, most importantly, the reminder that some of the most exciting chapters of life begin long after we think we’re supposed to have it all figured out.
Watch her full episode here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3RkWeQWk-Q
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