PEORIA MAGAZINE October 2022

S P O T L I G H T

THE SOUL OF A HOME Local designer is giving new life to historic houses

BY LAURIE PILLMAN PHOTOS BY RON JOHNSON

F rom her passion for historic preservation to her thoughts about art and civic engagement, Reagan Leslie creates a vivid picture with words. That storytelling shines through in her design work. As the owner and principal designer at Leslie Tyler Design, she specializes in creating spaces with a soul. It’s a style she developed while studying theater. ’IT'S ABOUT UNVEILING THINGS AND WHERE DO YOU WANT THE EYE TO GO’ “I think I always commit to my theater background, because it's about unveiling things and where do you want the eye to go? Directing it in that way,” said Leslie, pointing out how lighting can completely alter the feeling of a room. “I think theater's given me this ability to be very fluid and creative, imaginative and daring, and a little bit whimsical,” she added. “I think when you pair that against very historic, traditional lines, it becomes magical.” Leslie’s home onMoss Avenue shows that she lives her ideas. Original windows let light flow down the broad staircase and into rooms painted in rich colors to highlight the architecture. — Reagan Leslie

and historic styles can be replicated, but people need to feel comfortable living in their homes. There’s a fine balancing act between keeping the beauty of the original structure and making certain the spaces are accessible, she said. “Doing that in a historically accurate way, but then also doing it in a way that makes things accessible in our modern world, that is a juxtaposition that is age old,” said Leslie, who designs for both residential and commercial spaces. She has found her clients tend to appreciate art and like investing in local artists. To make art more accessible to new collectors on a budget, Leslie started Art Box in 2020. The service allows subscribers to have an exploratory sessionwith Leslie, then receive a new piece of art each month that has been specifically curated for their home. It’s a way to support central Illinois artists and give patrons a deeper connection to the art they acquire. “My thinking is if someone appreciates their art and has it in their home, they're probably going to be taking care of [their home],” she said. Giving a structure a long lease on life is a passion of Leslie’s as she pursues her quest to preserve historic homes in Peoria. Originally from Springfield, she was intrigued by Peoria’s diverse community and fell in love with the older homes, many with intact original architecture.

Though the house has been photographed for books and television, on most days antique vases sit right beside crayons and dolls. It’s clear that Leslie is first and foremost a working mom. Her daughter, Seven, helped her establish a firm belief that spaces are designed to be lived in. “My home is much more than just a showcase. It's my refuge. It's where I feel at peace at the end of the day,” said Leslie. “I can return and just be like, okay, I'm at home. Even if it's messy, I'm at home.” She stresses that ’s something homeowner s can mi s s when approaching design for old houses. Spaces can be stunning but lack heart. Original architecture can be showcased

48 OCTOBER 2022 PEORIA MAGAZINE