Sweet home Alabama- literally. One of the design stars of the deep south is this week’s Designer Friday; the talented Dana Wolter, a Mountain Brook, Alabama based interior designer crafting richly “sweet” homes and hangouts for the South’s most design-conscious residents. Drawing on her location, and the undeniable southern charm of her workplace, Wolter uses classical southern elements in her projects with hints of contemporary color choices, as a more modern approach to the archetypal style of the South’s most elegant estates. Meet Dana in our Q&A below.
Andrew Joseph: What’s one ingredient you put in everything?
Dana Wolter: My heart.
Andrew: Secret talent?
Dana: I can do a mean headstand.
Andrew: Most adventurous thing you’ve done in your life?
Dana: One summer in college, I did an Outward Bound course where we lived outdoors and hiked in Colorado for 14 days. There were nights where we literally slept on top of snow. It was an incredible experience, but my idea of roughing it these days is a hotel without room service.
Andrew: How would you define your work in three words?
Dana: Custom, functional, and classic.
Andrew: A book that everyone should read?
Dana: If you have children, The Blessing Of A Skinned Knee. It changed my perspective on letting my children fail.
Andrew: What’s one thing that is always in your refrigerator?
Dana: Being from the South, people pride themselves on hospitality. I always keep a gourmet cheese or two on hand in case I have a drop-in guest.
Every interior design project is a unique creation that is tailored to the client. Dana listens to her client’s needs to customize a beautiful and timeless home that will enhance her client’s lifestyle. She uses her own exclusive and organized process to turn a homeowner’s dream into reality through collaboration with architects, landscape designers, builders, and craftsmen.
Dana has been featured in national publications such as Southern Living, Traditional Home, House & Home, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, This Old House, Birmingham Home & Garden, and more. A 2014 Traditional Home New Trad and a Finalist in the 2017 and 2018 ADAC and Veranda Southeast Designer of the Year Award, Dana has a strong network and following in the design community. She has participated in the 2017 and 2018 Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Southeastern Showhouse. Her own definition of living well is spending time with her husband and three girls, reading a good book, and traveling whenever possible.
Andrew Joseph is a regular contributing editor for ASPIRE DESIGN AND HOME magazine. See more of his work here.
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