You graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in apparel design. How did you transition into interior design?
I also studied at the London College of Fashion, and I’ve always had a big love of textiles. My first job out of college was at the Merchandise Mart in Chicago with Stroheim Fabric showroom. I fell in love with interior design at that point. Then, I moved to Portland, Ore., and worked for a woman who did interior design and designed soft home furnishings. When [my husband and I] moved back to Milwaukee, I started my own business where I was making my own slipcovers, bedding and window treatments. My business started evolving and people asked me to help them select paint colors, or pick out a sofa — things like that. Now, I subcontract out all of my window treatment [fabrication] and don’t do any sewing anymore.
Where do you glean inspiration from in your designs?
I get a lot of inspiration from Instagram and even Pinterest. Instagram has such great accessibility and there are so many designers out there that I haven’t heard of. So if a designer I’m following posts about some furnishings they love, I’ll go and research that line. Some designers’ Instagram accounts I love include: @namdangmitchell, @william_mclure, @darrylcarterdesign and @alyssakapitointeriors.
Where do you like to shop for home items for yourself or clients in Milwaukee?
One of my favorites is Brew City Salvage in the Fifth Ward — it has midcentury modern pieces. I also stumbled upon this place called Dandy on the border of Wauwatosa and Milwaukee, and [they] carry some neat vintage pieces as well. Another place that’s popular in the North Shore is Legacy [which is], a consignment store. The owner of Delafield Design Gallery carries Lee Industries furniture and I frequently take my clients to see the high-quality pieces they make. LUCE Lighting in Milwaukee carries my favorite brand, Visual Comfort.
What trends should we be looking for next in home interiors?
In the kitchen, wood cabinets are coming back into style — but not dark wood — a white oak or light oak. Even if it’s a painted cabinet, we’re seeing less gray and back into beige or mushroom colors, which can be very sophisticated and chic.
We’re also seeing a lot of hand- made tiles, called Zellige. A lot of different companies are making their own version of these.
[Other things include] beige being back (Benjamin Moore Pale Oak is a favorite, see sidebar)! [And] wallpaper is going strong, even on the ceiling. Another trend is painting the ceiling a color.By Shayna Mace | Photography by Lacy Landre