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Designer to Watch: Caitlin Wilson
Soak Up the Color and Warmth of a Globe-Trotting Designer's Eclectic Style
Hello there! I'm Erika Ward, Owner and Principal Designer of Erika Ward Interiors. It's my greatest pleasure to inspire you to live well, to live in style, and to extinguish the myth that style and budget are mutually exclusive. Read more about my design philosophy and my work at http://www.blulabelbungalow.com
Hello there! I'm Erika Ward, Owner and Principal Designer of Erika Ward... More »
Philadelphia interior designer Caitlin Wilson is a chameleon of sorts. Having spent the last couple of years living with in Dubai with her husband, followed by a stint in Hong Kong, she continued to run a successful design business in spite of language barriers and with a baby in tow. While in Hong Kong she spent much of her time developing a line of fabric that mirrors much of what you see in her designs. Cheeky color and lively patterns mixed with influences from her worldly travels, Wilson's spaces are easily recognizable to those who follow her work.
In this interview with Houzz, she shares the influences behind her personal style, her secrets to the art of pillow arranging, and how patience and trial and error have been the keys to her success.
In this interview with Houzz, she shares the influences behind her personal style, her secrets to the art of pillow arranging, and how patience and trial and error have been the keys to her success.
by Caitlin Wilson
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EW: Can you pinpoint your design style?
CW: Professionally, I'm all over the map ... I take pride in being versatile and embracing many different styles. My personal style is always evolving. You could say I'm eclectic, but that's pretty general. I've actually loved being transient for the last two years because it's allowed me to explore my own style and to soak up what each place has to offer. My furnishings were more modern in Dubai simply because of what was available but now that we're moving to Philadelphia, I'm going in a different direction and I'm so excited!
Wilson cleverly builds this vignette layer upon layer starting with a sprightly wallpaper, followed by assorted toss pillows, and anchored with an iconic sunburst mirror.
CW: Professionally, I'm all over the map ... I take pride in being versatile and embracing many different styles. My personal style is always evolving. You could say I'm eclectic, but that's pretty general. I've actually loved being transient for the last two years because it's allowed me to explore my own style and to soak up what each place has to offer. My furnishings were more modern in Dubai simply because of what was available but now that we're moving to Philadelphia, I'm going in a different direction and I'm so excited!
Wilson cleverly builds this vignette layer upon layer starting with a sprightly wallpaper, followed by assorted toss pillows, and anchored with an iconic sunburst mirror.
by Caitlin Wilson
»
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EW: How does it feel to have your daughter with you while you work?
CW: It's great in the sense that I get to be with her as much as possible, but it's getting harder the older she gets. During the day she needs to run around and play so I do most of my work at night when she's asleep or during naps. If we have to run an errand or if we're at the fabric shop for awhile she goes stir crazy and starts pulling all the samples off the wall! I'm getting to the point where I need some help but it's worked out pretty well these last two years as we've been abroad, and I've been focusing on e-design, blogging, and my new fabric line.
Sweet sentiments like this "Home Sweet Home" canvas helps to make virtually anywhere feel like a home away from home.
CW: It's great in the sense that I get to be with her as much as possible, but it's getting harder the older she gets. During the day she needs to run around and play so I do most of my work at night when she's asleep or during naps. If we have to run an errand or if we're at the fabric shop for awhile she goes stir crazy and starts pulling all the samples off the wall! I'm getting to the point where I need some help but it's worked out pretty well these last two years as we've been abroad, and I've been focusing on e-design, blogging, and my new fabric line.
Sweet sentiments like this "Home Sweet Home" canvas helps to make virtually anywhere feel like a home away from home.
by Caitlin Wilson
»
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EW: What do you want her to remember about her childhood?
CW: I'm sure she won't remember all of the crazy places that she's lived (London, Dubai, Hong Kong) but I hope she remembers the happy moments that we share as a family — singing, playing, and lots of kisses. She has brought more joy to me than I could have ever imagined, so I hope she will know and feel that overwhelming love that I have for her.
CW: I'm sure she won't remember all of the crazy places that she's lived (London, Dubai, Hong Kong) but I hope she remembers the happy moments that we share as a family — singing, playing, and lots of kisses. She has brought more joy to me than I could have ever imagined, so I hope she will know and feel that overwhelming love that I have for her.
by Caitlin Wilson
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EW: What cultural differences have you encountered while working overseas that has helped you to become a better designer?
CW: As a designer, you need to know what is important to a client or family. Listen to their needs and spend some time getting to know their lifestyle so you can create an environment that will meet their needs and make them happiest.
Clients home and abroad have the same human needs for comfort and security. Wilson has created both in this beautiful bedroom suite.
CW: As a designer, you need to know what is important to a client or family. Listen to their needs and spend some time getting to know their lifestyle so you can create an environment that will meet their needs and make them happiest.
Clients home and abroad have the same human needs for comfort and security. Wilson has created both in this beautiful bedroom suite.
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by Caitlin Wilson
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| EW: As a global designer, what characteristic do you have that allows you to adapt so well?
CW: I really love learning about other people and cultures so I haven't had a hard time adapting, I've learned so much from the wonderful friends that I have made from all over the world. I guess determination is my underlying characteristic that has driven me to succeed professionally in the places that I've lived. It's challenging to move to a new city, let alone a new country and find resources and contacts. It took quite a bit of time to get my bearings in Dubai but by the time I moved, I had a whole collection of great tradespeople and a thriving business. It takes patience and a lot of trial and error. |
by Caitlin Wilson
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EW: We often find inspiration in the unfamiliar. Given the fact you live in a foreign country are you ever overstimulated by your environment?
CW: I have been incredibly inspired in the places that we've lived — each one could have been overstimulating — but I loved every minute of it. The traditional, charming beauty of London is absolutely unbeatable, and I would go back in a heartbeat. The mosques, souks, and the melting pot in Dubai were truly fascinating. And Hong Kong is buzzing with energy, life, and culture. It's been an incredible journey and I feel so blessed to have had so many unique experiences.
Pillows made from African mudcloth help to set the tone in the monochromatic master suite. A pair of horn lamps and a statue subtly reinforce the look.
CW: I have been incredibly inspired in the places that we've lived — each one could have been overstimulating — but I loved every minute of it. The traditional, charming beauty of London is absolutely unbeatable, and I would go back in a heartbeat. The mosques, souks, and the melting pot in Dubai were truly fascinating. And Hong Kong is buzzing with energy, life, and culture. It's been an incredible journey and I feel so blessed to have had so many unique experiences.
Pillows made from African mudcloth help to set the tone in the monochromatic master suite. A pair of horn lamps and a statue subtly reinforce the look.
by Caitlin Wilson
»
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EW: I’ve heard you are a master at pillow arranging. What are your secrets to styling success?
CW: I am a pillow fanatic! I always suggest a 2-2-1 ratio. 2 squares of one pattern, then 2 of another pattern, and then 1 rectangle in the center in another. I love to find a pattern that incorporates multiple colors and then pull those other colors for the other pillows. The styling secret is down feather inserts — this is a must!
CW: I am a pillow fanatic! I always suggest a 2-2-1 ratio. 2 squares of one pattern, then 2 of another pattern, and then 1 rectangle in the center in another. I love to find a pattern that incorporates multiple colors and then pull those other colors for the other pillows. The styling secret is down feather inserts — this is a must!
by Caitlin Wilson
»
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EW: What is your favorite inexpensive design fix?
CW: Paired lamps. Lighting can make such a difference in a room, so one of the first things I always do is to go shopping for good lamps that are on sale, and two is always better than one!
CW: Paired lamps. Lighting can make such a difference in a room, so one of the first things I always do is to go shopping for good lamps that are on sale, and two is always better than one!
by Caitlin Wilson
»
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EW: Which destination has most inspired your design aesthetic?
CW: Naturally, I think my design aesthetic is a combination of them all. I love traditional antiques, Middle Eastern flair and Chinese patterns. Each place has given me a broader understanding of classic design and architecture. Given that Chinese civilization is about as old as it gets, I have really been amazed at what I've seen here in Hong Kong. I spend a lot of time in the park with my little one, so I find myself fascinated by the interesting trees, plants and flowers that are unique to this climate. I am also in constant amazement of the ancient Chinese patterns that are still used in everyday design — they are clean, and crisp, and timeless — very inspiring for my new fabric line.
CW: Naturally, I think my design aesthetic is a combination of them all. I love traditional antiques, Middle Eastern flair and Chinese patterns. Each place has given me a broader understanding of classic design and architecture. Given that Chinese civilization is about as old as it gets, I have really been amazed at what I've seen here in Hong Kong. I spend a lot of time in the park with my little one, so I find myself fascinated by the interesting trees, plants and flowers that are unique to this climate. I am also in constant amazement of the ancient Chinese patterns that are still used in everyday design — they are clean, and crisp, and timeless — very inspiring for my new fabric line.
EW: If you were not a designer, which occupation would you hold?
CW: It would no doubt be a creative field ... a photographer, a fashion stylist, a boutique owner. And if I had honed in on my skills a little earlier, I would have loved to have been a painter.
CW: It would no doubt be a creative field ... a photographer, a fashion stylist, a boutique owner. And if I had honed in on my skills a little earlier, I would have loved to have been a painter.
Ideabook updated on June 10, 2011.
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...except for the karate-chop pillows - Ouch!