A round wooden dining table with a large vase of colorful flowers, black chairs around the table, framed black and white botanical art on a light patterned wallpapered wall, and a white pendant light hanging above the table.

A lifelong fascination with the places we call home.

ABOUT THE FUNCTIONAL NEST

The Functional Nest is a boutique interior design studio built around a simple idea: a beautiful home should do more than look good—it should support the people living within.

The Functional Nest's founder smiling while looking to the side with wavy hair wearing a dark floral-patterned blouse, sitting indoors with a white wall and gallery of framed artwork in the background. 
Meet the Founder

RACHEL ANDERSON
Founder and Lead Designer

HARPER RAE DESIGN CO + THE FUNCTIONAL NEST

My love for homes began early while watching my dad build homes, moving frequently and rearranging rooms, and noticing how our surroundings shape the way we feel and live.

That curiosity led me to study psychology and social work before finding my way to interior design, where everything finally came together. What once looked like separate interests eventually revealed themselves as different ways of asking the same question: How do the environments around us shape the way we live?

Today, I bring a people-first perspective to every project, blending beauty, function, and systems that support real life. I’m a problem-solver, a pattern-spotter, and a believer that the most meaningful spaces are the ones that reflect who you are.

THE WORK BEHIND THE WORK

Experience, education, and a few meaningful milestones along the way.

  • MAGNOLIA JOURNAL
    Rooms With Purpose · Featured Photo

    OREGON HOME MAGAZINE
    “Form, Function, Fantastic” · Featured Home

    LAS VEGAS MARKET · RESTYLESOURCE
    Best of the West Lookbook · Trending IRL

    APARTMENT THERAPY
    Designer Expert · Ceiling Color Tips

    WORLDS AWAY
    7th Annual Lifestyle Photo Contest · Honorable Mention

    HERITAGE SCHOOL OF INTERIOR DESIGN
    Alumni Feature + Panel Presenter


  • THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
    B.A. Psychology, Honors Distinction

    My undergraduate studies focused on human behavior and development and how people interact with and respond to their environments, culminating in an honors thesis exploring treatments for autism.

    CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
    Graduate Studies in Social Work

    Graduate studies in grief support and community development further developed my understanding of how people, families, and communities interact to navigate hardships.

    HERITAGE SCHOOL OF INTERIOR DESIGN
    Residential Design Masters Certification

    After a series of home renovations ignited my interest in interior design, formal training deepened my understanding of space planning, project management, materials, and sourcing.

    OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
    Permaculture Design Certification

    This program expanded my understanding of design beyond the interior walls of a home - exploring how natural systems, resources, communities, and humans can coexist well.

  • HUMAN SERVICES
    Various Support Roles

    Before entering interior design, I worked directly with children, adults, and families in homes and community settings, supporting people with disabilities, sensory needs, executive function challenges, and changing family circumstances. Those experiences shaped my understanding that environments aren’t neutral - they can create friction or they can quietly help people function more comfortably and independently.

    KRAVET
    Materials Library

    After design school I joined Kravet’s materials library, gaining hands-on experience with trade textiles and wallcoverings.

    HARPER RAE DESIGN CO
    Founder + Interior Designer

    Founded in 2018, HRDC quickly grew from small nursery makeovers to high-end full-service kitchen and bath renovations, gaining recognition on social media and features in regional and national design media.

    THE FUNCTIONAL NEST
    Founder + Lead Designer

    Launched in 2026, The Functional Nest is Harper Rae’s more evolved big sister - a place where my backgrounds in human services and interior design finally come together. Built around transparent pricing, flexible services, and a deeply personalized approach, the studio exists to make thoughtful design more accessible while helping people create homes that genuinely support the way they live.

A room with a light wood bathroom vanity with black knobs and a white marble countertop, with a small potted plant and a striped towel on top. Two mirrors with black frames are mounted on the wall above the vanity. In the foreground, a tabby cat with green eyes and white paws is sitting on a white tile floor with gray veining, looking up.
A kitchen with a black countertop and a stainless steel sink, a small plant on the right, and framed artwork on the wall depicting two hands and lightning bolts.

THE STORY BEHIND TFN

The Evolution of The Nest

If you’re curious about how The Functional Nest came to be, I’ve shared a little more of the story in The Journal. It’s a look back at the ideas, experiences and unexpected turns that have shaped the work—and how it’s continuing to evolve.

READ THE FULL STORY →
READ THE FULL STORY →
A pastel-colored, intersecting checkered pattern in beige, cream, and light green shades.

A HELPING HAND

The first step is often the hardest.

You don’t have to have it all figured out before reaching out.

Together, we’ll uncover what isn’t working, discover what could work better, and create a home that feels more beautiful, functional, and distinctly yours.

EXPLORE OUR SERVICES →
BOOK A FREE INTRO CALL →