PLL Star Shay Mitchell's Bold Yet Glam Home Style Will Inspire Your #DesignGoals

By Maggie Winterfeldt
Tessa Neustadt
Tessa Neustadt

Pretty Little Liars star Shay Mitchell is known for her fabulous fashion sense, and it turns out that her interior design style is just as fierce. As featured in PEOPLE, the actress enlisted the help of online retailer Wayfair and celebrity designer Mat Sanders of Consort Design (he's worked with A-listers like Jessica Alba and Jessica Biel) to help her transform the space from a semi-storage unit into a multifunctional office, YouTube studio, and gracious living space for visiting friends. The results are the perfect blend of Shay's style (which she described to Wayfair as "Moroccan-meets-Mediterranean with a touch of glam") and Mat's skills that mix original architectural touches with an on-point creative vision. Check it out ahead and hear what Shay and Mat have to say about every inch of the stunning fashion-forward space.

Shay says her must haves for the guesthouse were "a comfortable seating area to entertain friends that could also double as a place to film YouTube Q&A's (that was really important). I also wanted a small space for an office with my ultimate must have: a vision board."

Mat doesn't let popular trends or outside opinions influence his designs. "My philosophy is to always trust your taste!" he exclaims. "Never worry about whether things will 'go together.' Your point of view and personal style will be the common thread that makes the space 'go.'"

The home is filled with unique accent pieces thanks to world-traveler Shay. "Each place I travel I pick up something, physically and style-wise, to bring home with me. In Bali it was beautiful carved doors and gates, and in Morocco it was the stunning tile, rugs, and lighting . . . Each piece reminds me of all of the places I've been."

Shay's favorite part of the remodel is this sitting area. "It just feels so welcoming, which is the complete opposite of what this space was before. (Think: storage unit.) It's also the first thing your eye hits when you walk in the door. You just want to cozy up and stay!"

The high-contrast black and white palette seen throughout Shay's guesthouse was no accident. Mat explains, "This allowed us to create rich layers with cozy, natural textures and tones. We used a bold graphic tile throughout the space to create a look that is dramatic yet inviting." He added a money tree because "everyone needs something living in their space."

"For the office area, we maximized the space by using a clear desk and added a pop of color with an abstract art piece. We chose a blush cushion for the bed to cater to Shay's feminine side, while softening the edges of the tile," Matt says.

The multifunctional makeover was a welcome challenge for Mat. "With so many needs for the space, we wanted to create a sophisticated blend of form and function, while being as playful and chic as Shay is," he says.


Mat's favorite piece of design advice? "When in doubt, paint it. When there's a questionable piece of furniture or you're on the fence about a unique color combination, paint it. All of it. Black, cream, gray, or blue."

"A comforting home base is crucial for me," admits Shay. "There's nothing I love more after a 17-hour day on set or a long flight than walking through my front door, making a cup of tea, and snuggling up with some Netflix. My house keeps me grounded. Knowing what I have to look forward to at home allows me to be 'go, go, go!' the rest of the time." We may not be jetsetters like Shay, but we can completely relate!