Q&A: Interior Designer Jacqueline Wood Wheeler

Kelly Wearstler, a prominent figure in contemporary American design, views design as an intuitive process akin to falling in love repeatedly. Her distinctive style, characterized by sumptuous and vibrant interiors, is evident in high-end residences and luxury hotels worldwide, from Beverly Hills to the Caribbean. Wearstler's design philosophy is deeply influenced by a wide array of sources, including global travel, nature, architecture, fashion, graphic design, literature, and art, with particular admiration for the works of Pierre Cardin, Oscar Niemeyer, Carlo Scarpa, Louis Kahn, Gio Ponti, and Carlo Mollino. Her eponymous luxury-lifestyle brand encompasses a broad spectrum of design services, including residential, hospitality, and commercial interior design, alongside curated collections of furniture, lighting, rugs, fabrics, wallcoverings, tiles, luxe bedding, fine china, and decorative home accessories. Wearstler's design approach is marked by a sophisticated contrast of raw and refined elements, a harmonious blend of color, and a thoughtful integration of diverse periods of furniture. This unique methodology has earned her recognition on prestigious lists such as Architectural Digest’s Top 100 Architecture & Interior Design, Elle Décor’s A-List, Wallpaper’s Top 20 Designers, and TIME Style & Design’s Design 100. She conceptualizes each project as an opportunity for storytelling, aiming to create evocative, adventurous, and soulful narratives through a rich mix of materials and influences. Her mantra, “love color, take risks, stay curious,” guides her attraction to designs that intelligently utilize materiality, juxtapose various historical styles, and introduce an element of surprise. Born in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in 1967, Wearstler honed her skills in interior and graphic design at the Massachusetts College of Art. After relocating to the West Coast, she launched her design business, initially gaining traction with the Avalon Hotel in Beverly Hills. This success paved the way for numerous international projects, including the Viceroy Santa Monica, multiple properties for the Viceroy Group, and the Four Seasons Anguilla, where she skillfully merged natural elements like driftwood and petrified wood with global textiles to redefine Caribbean luxury. Her portfolio also features the Bergdorf Goodman restaurant in New York City, which elegantly combines elements from the 1930s to the 1970s, and the Compartés flagship store in Los Angeles, a modern reinterpretation of classic European chocolate shops. Her residential work spans high-profile homes for celebrity clients like Cameron Diaz, Gwen Stefani, and Ben Stiller. A current venture, Proper Hospitality, involves the design of high-end residences and hotels, with completed projects including the Hollywood Proper Residences, Santa Monica Proper Hotel, and San Francisco Proper Hotel. These projects showcase her signature blend of vintage and new furnishings, custom lighting, bespoke elements, and local artworks. Upcoming Proper hotels in Austin and Downtown Los Angeles further demonstrate her expansive vision. Wearstler emphasizes the importance of client collaboration, stating that the most successful projects arise when clients actively voice their vision. Her role is to interpret and filter these ideas, creating spaces that evoke specific moods and tell compelling stories. She stresses the significance of scale and hierarchy within a space, advocating for a thoughtful mix of texture, history, pattern, and color to achieve balance and allow statement pieces to stand out. Her creative process involves deep research into a location's history and architecture, followed by an intuitive selection of art, rugs, and vintage pieces to establish the core vibe. She uses “vibe trays” to visualize how all elements, textures, and colors will harmoniously interact within a space, sourcing unique items from around the globe to curate truly distinctive environments. Wearstler sees windows as framed artworks that integrate external elements and colors into the interior, further enhancing the cohesive design narrative. Throughout her career, Wearstler has continually challenged herself, taking risks and expanding her artistic horizons. She views her clients, particularly those from the film, music, and art industries, as vital partners and teachers, each contributing unique perspectives that enrich her design process. A key distinction in her work is the tailored approach to residential versus hospitality projects; while both receive the same passion and explorative process, hospitality designs require a greater focus on commercial specifications and creating a comfortable, home-like atmosphere unique to the location. Turning points in her career include the Avalon Hotel, the Bergdorf Goodman restaurant, and the large-scale Westfield Century City renovation, all of which pushed her creative boundaries and fostered a sense of accomplishment. Wearstler's home collections target individuals who appreciate art, travel, and thoughtful details, offering environments designed to expand experiences and heighten senses. Her ongoing projects continue to explore new commercial and residential ventures globally, consistently seeking the next design adventure. #KellyWearstler #InteriorDesign #ModernAmericanDesign #LuxuryInteriors #HospitalityDesign #ResidentialDesign #DesignPhilosophy #ArchitecturalDesign #StorytellingInDesign

Wanda Horton, an interior designer with over two decades of experience running her own business and more than 30 years since graduating with a degree in interior design from East Carolina University, shares insights into her career and design philosophy. Horton, a Durham native who now resides in Union County with her husband, Roger, and three rescued dachshunds, developed an early passion for creative arts despite an initial path toward a healthcare career due to familial influence. After three years in community health, she shifted her focus to interior design, a field that resonated with her artistic inclinations. Horton discusses her approach to color in design, noting that while black is her personal favorite to wear, she avoids a singular signature style in her professional work. She embraces diverse aesthetics, finding enjoyment in the variety each project offers. This versatility allows her to live vicariously through different design challenges. Her philosophy extends to design trends, which she approaches with caution. Horton believes that an over-reliance on trends can lead to designs that quickly become dated, advocating instead for timeless, "good design" that endures beyond fleeting fads. Having witnessed trends cycle through multiple times, she discerns lasting quality from temporary novelties. A pivotal piece of career advice Horton received likened starting a business to navigating a cafeteria: choosing wisely what to put on one's tray to avoid overindulgence. This analogy underscores her commitment to being judicious in project selection and growth, ensuring quality over quantity. She emphasizes the importance of not taking on too much, allowing her to focus on projects that genuinely align with her vision and expertise. When seeking inspiration, Horton finds market events highly valuable. Additionally, she draws significant creative energy from places rich in history, citing Charleston, South Carolina, as a prime example. Such locations offer unique architectural elements that continuously spark new ideas for her work. She admires national interior designer Barry Dixon, particularly for his ability to seamlessly blend historical reverence with modern aesthetics while considering a building's exterior architecture to maintain authenticity. Horton concludes by describing the three words that encapsulate a client's reaction to their completed home: joy, accomplishment, and livable. These words reflect her goal of creating spaces that not only look good but also bring happiness and functionality to those who inhabit them, highlighting the profound impact of thoughtful design on daily life. #InteriorDesign #WandaHorton #DesignPhilosophy #CareerAdvice #CreativeProcess #HomeDecor #CharlotteMagazine #DesignTrends

This article highlights the work of renowned California interior designer Kelly Wearstler, focusing on her furniture collection launched in partnership with E.J. Victor. Wearstler, known for her avant-garde and exciting approach to design, is celebrated for her unique sense of flair, evident in her dramatic lighting and exquisite furniture pieces. The collection, which debuted to significant acclaim, is characterized by its fashion-forward yet expensive nature, catering to a clientele seeking high-end design. The collection emphasizes the use of luxurious materials, including alabaster, burnished bronze, marble, ruched leather, bleached ash, ebonized walnut, cerused wood, fractured glass, and goat fur. These materials are meticulously combined to create pieces that embody a "raw and refined" aesthetic, a signature style of Wearstler. Examples of her distinctive designs include the limited-edition Bejeweled Stool, priced at $28,000, which is adorned with semi-precious stones. Another notable piece is the Trousdale dining table, valued at $17,500, featuring an intricate inlaid top with geometric blocks. The table is presented in both natural oak, which evokes a 1960s aesthetic, and ebonized oak, where the dark parquet creates a rich interplay of grain. The furniture range extends beyond dining tables and stools to include beds, chests, and various upholstery options. Wearstler's design philosophy aims for a modern yet timeless appeal. This is achieved through distinctive details such as rough stone hardware paired with gunmetal, and bronze mirrors encircled with chunks of jewels. The collection also features unlacquered perforated bronze, handcrafted into console and dining tables designed to develop a unique patina over time. Additionally, an architectural side table is crafted from stripes of honed black and white marble, showcasing a striking visual contrast. E.J. Victor, the manufacturing partner, is recognized for its history of producing esteemed collections for prominent designers like Ralph Lauren and Aerin, the granddaughter of Estee Lauder. Wearstler's collaboration with E.J. Victor places her in a distinguished category of designers. Her work is seen as catering to individuals with discerning tastes and the means to acquire high-value design pieces. Some industry observers have credited Wearstler with pioneering a revolution in modern American design, continually pushing boundaries with her innovative and opulent creations. #InteriorDesign #FurnitureDesign #LuxuryInteriors #KellyWearstler #ModernDesign #TimelessDesign #HighEndFurniture #DesignerCollection #HomeDecor

Monica Duncan, owner of The Duncan House Fine Interiors, shares insights into her 24-year career as an interior designer. Duncan, who has lived in North Carolina for 26 years, reveals her current favorite color to wear as blush and taupe, but notes it changes frequently. When it comes to interior design, her preferred approach involves sophisticated neutrals accented with splashes of color. Duncan recounts that her inclination towards design was evident from childhood, as she engaged in space planning games in the woods, a clear early sign of her future profession despite initially pursuing a law degree in university. Her mother recognized her design aptitude before she did. Regarding current design trends, Duncan expresses appreciation for edited interiors that are both forward-thinking and sophisticated. Conversely, she cites 'Harvest gold ruffled ‘Dorothy’s originals’' as a design trend she wishes had never occurred. When asked about her favorite national interior designer, Duncan names Barbara Barry, commending Barry's exceptional restraint and ability to judiciously incorporate statement pieces into her designs. The best career advice Duncan has received is 'If it moves you, it can stay,' a principle she applies in her work. Duncan finds inspiration primarily in nature, describing it as 'God’s handiwork.' She is moved by the soft hues of sunrises, the grandeur of sunsets, and the changing moods of natural landscapes, such as the misty gray of a pond. When beginning a new room design, her initial focus is always on the clients. She meticulously observes their personal style, their lifestyle, and their aspirations and dreams for their living spaces. Upon the completion of a home design project, Duncan hopes her clients experience feelings of awe, profound emotion, and genuine happiness. She notes that 'tears of joy are always a good thing!' This interview was originally published in the December 2017 issue of Home + Garden, highlighting her expertise and philosophy in interior design. #InteriorDesign #MonicaDuncan #TheDuncanHouseFineInteriors #DesignTrends #CharlotteMagazine #HomeDecor #DesignerProfile

Melissa Bodie, co-founder and director of Melissa + Miller Interiors, shares insights into her career as an interior designer and offers five key pieces of advice for creating joyful living spaces. Bodie's upbringing, influenced by her mother's home-building career, instilled in her an early passion for design and architecture. She recalls suggesting a staircase repositioning at the age of eight, which her mother adopted successfully. Throughout her career, Bodie has worked with notable design figures such as Nina Campbell, Martin Brudnizki, and Martha Stewart, learning the importance of meticulous attention to detail from these industry leaders. She emphasizes that while their styles varied, a common thread was their focus on the minutiae, which significantly impacts the overall aesthetic and feel of a space. She also candidly shares a humorous early career mistake, highlighting the steep learning curve in the industry, particularly in styling for high-profile clients like Martha Stewart. Melissa + Miller Interiors, with offices in London and Philadelphia, specializes in high-end, bespoke interior design, prioritizing comfort and functionality alongside luxury and style. The firm offers comprehensive services including knowledge of architecture, textiles, antiques, project management, and custom design. In 2020, they launched an e-design service, providing their custom interior design expertise to clients globally with quick turnaround times. This initiative also serves as a platform for social good, with a portion of fees donated to organizations like Feeding America, NAACP, and Black Artists + Designers Guild. The firm actively reassesses its brand partnerships and sourcing to promote diversity within the design industry. They also host a weekly Instagram series, "Meet a Maker," spotlighting talented BIPOC and female artists, craftswomen, and designers. Bodie's five recommendations for sparking joy in living spaces begin with the principle to "Buy what you love." She believes interior design should transcend trends, focusing instead on how a room evokes feelings, creates ambiance, and offers comfort without sacrificing style. A home should be an extension of one's personal style, as the client ultimately lives in the space. The second tip, "Buy from whom you love," encourages intentional purchasing from artisans, makers, and craftspeople whose stories resonate. Melissa + Miller Interiors supports this by featuring diverse creators in their "Meet a Maker" series and through their gift guide. The third recommendation is "Be well," focusing on mental health within interior design. This involves creating spaces that promote tranquility and peace, often referred to as "zen zones." These can range from a dedicated meditation room to a cozy corner, incorporating soothing elements for all five senses: calming colors and lighting for sight, soft textures for touch, scented candles for smell, and organized playlists for sound. Bodie suggests colors like light blues, soft greens, greys, blush, and lilac for their peace-promoting qualities. The fourth point advises against comparison, stating that "Comparison precludes joy." Finally, "Outdoors, in" emphasizes integrating nature into living spaces, whether through a balcony, terrace, or garden. Bodie views outdoor areas as extensions of the interior, decorating them with beautiful furniture, lighting, and accessories. Due to client demand, Melissa + Miller Interiors plans to launch a garden design arm to create exteriors that complement their interiors. Bodie advocates for democratic design, believing that safe and beautiful environments should be accessible to everyone, including in public schools, daycare centers, and city hospitals. Her firm has demonstrated this commitment by designing a public space for a family homeless shelter. She also supports movements that amplify women's voices, particularly women of color. When asked about a person she'd like to meet, Bodie names Michelle Obama, admiring her influence. Melissa Bodie can be followed on Instagram at @melissaandmillerinteriors. #InteriorDesign #MelissaBodie #MelissaMillerInteriors #HomeDecor #JoyfulLiving #DesignPhilosophy #EdesignServices #SocialImpact #WellnessDesign