Smarties, we’re super excited to introduce you to the oh-so-stylish, Leigh Goodwyn! Mom of two college-age kids, Leigh shares some of her insight and tips today to those of us sending our kids off to college {gulp, that’s me! And y’all are going to have to take care of me in August when I send Smarty Ansley to Tuscaloosa – sniffle, sniffle!}.
I met up with Leigh recently to pick her brain on dorm decor – she is the founder of Leigh Deux, a design company that offers a fabulous collection of headboards, pillows, duvets, and other furnishings for small spaces including dorms, apartments, and homes. We’re focusing on dorms today. Trust me, you are going to want to redecorate all of your rooms after hanging with Leigh!
Smarties, meet Leigh Goodwyn!
Leigh’s Smarty Mom Stats:
Married to: Bill Goodwyn, 22 years
Children: Carson, 21, a junior at UNC Chapel Hill. Gray, 19, freshman at UNC Chapel Hill.
Hometown: Gastonia
Years in Charlotte: 20 years
Hood: Eastover
Alma Mater: UNC Chapel Hill, BA journalism
Occupation: Founder/CEO LeighDeux. Former head of global marketing for Discovery Television Networks.
Tell us about Leigh Deux and how you got started.
I launched LeighDeux in 2013 after my daughter, Carson, went to boarding school and had difficulty sourcing chic bedding in the XL twin size. I designed a pillow shaped like a headboard and girls went crazy for it. Then we began designing textile fabrics to make duvets to coordinate with the various pillow headboards. Our first collection featured globally inspired textiles that married bold color with whimsy. Our second collection is called The Shibori Collection which is more Boho in style. We are all about ‘designed and made in North Carolina’. To that end we also have two local designer collaborations: 1) Bright Eyes & Bushy Tails with Holly Phillips of The English Room and 2) our latest collab with Laura Park of Laura Park Design is a true marriage of art featuring textiles derived from art that Laura and I both painted. We will be sharing this collection on CSP at a later date!
Tell us how your company gives back.
My company is mission driven too. I wanted to do more than make pretty beds… I wanted to make a difference! For me it wasn’t enough to launch a product line of soft goods and accessories, I wanted to build a brand that stood for something more. I wanted to help reinvigorate the textile industry in the Carolinas, create jobs and give back. With those goals in mind, LeighDeux decided that a portion of our proceeds would go to fund scholarships for deserving students, fueling entrepreneurship.
When LeighDeux was created, there was a desire to build more than just a profitable business. LeighDeux wants to empower other women to do the same. LeighDeux has created a scholarship fund using a portion of every sale. I partnered with UNC Chapel Hill’s Shuford Program for Excellence in Entrepreneurship and I fund two scholarships per year to deserving young women starting a business.
What different offerings do you have at Leigh Deux?
Offerings: our trademarked Headboard Pillow, a variety of duvets, pillows, and soft goods, bed skirts, blankets, towels, seating, bean bag cubes, shower curtains, storage, side tables, wall art.
What is your favorite Leigh Deux collection?
I have so many favorites but right now I am loving the new Ombre Stripe headboard pillow in Seafoam,
paired with our Luna Peacock duvet.
What Smarty tips do you have for moms when decorating freshman dorms?
Many girls will have a full or queen bed their second year so it’s nice to invest in a queen size duvet and fold it at the foot of your bed your freshman year when you are in a twin. It’s smart to loft your bed up to the highest position so you can grab the extra storage under your bed. We make an extra long bed skirt that comes in two pieces like a curtain… it’s named the ‘Curtain Call’. It runs on a tension rod so you can hide all the stuff under your bed but easily open and close it for access. College kids are notorious for never washing their sheets! So I tell moms to put down several fitted sheets on top of each other so that when the top sheet gets dirty they can pull off the top one and have a clean one underneath! Our bunk boxes are the bomb for easy foot or side-of-bed storage. Great for cell phones, laptops and iPads! Lastly, I tell parents to try to emulate a dorm a space that feels homey. At LeighDeux we believe creating a space that fosters comfort, stability and success are key to helping students make a life-changing transition. The LeighDeux philosophy translates beyond the dorm into everyday life!
What if you and your roommate have different styles?
If you and your roommate have different styles, that is just fine. Our collections are designed to coordinate with one another without being too matchy-matchy. But it’s perfectly fine to do your own thing too.
Favorite piece of dorm gear?
Definitely the Headboard Pillow!
What colors are most popular right now for dorm rooms and bedrooms?
We are so over the neutral grays and whites. Color and pattern are back for the bedroom and we’ve got tons of it. Plus it’s far more forgiving and shows less dirt! We love our lavenders, navy and teal blues!
Tell us about your trunk shows for rising college freshman.
We have lots of opportunities to see our collections at trunk shows. Ambassadors can easily host shows in their own homes and earn money and free product for college! You can sign up to become an ambassador at LeighDeuxU on our website. Ambassadors earn a 15% commission on sales at shows. Email us here!
Moving onto mom stuff…
What is the one thing you wish you knew before sending your kids off to college?
My kids went to boarding school from 9-12 grades, so the college transition was super easy for me. I’m not sure there were any surprises! But I’ll say this… don’t overpack your closet… the closet space is always tiny! Only bring your first season’s clothes. Air purifiers are always a good idea and prevent germs. And always purchase the smallest meal plan the school offers. Typically the kids cannot eat (or don’t end up eating) all the food in their plan. Plus if they go Greek, many houses offer meal plans and those are required.
Favorite family restaurant?
Favorite date night spot?
Best lunch?
Best breakfast?
I don’t eat breakfast but I’m obsessed with the smoothies at Green Brothers in Dilworth
Best Takeout?
It’s not exactly takeout, but I pick up food from Reid’s all the time.
Best sweet treat?
The macaroons at Amelie’s!
Favorite thing about Charlotte in spring?
Running under the trees on the booty loop (Queens Road West).
Finish this sentence: Every day I hope…
…that I can inspire more young women to be fearless, follow their passions, give back and do their very best to make a difference in their community.
