Framed by creamy drapery and black mullions, the view outside this breakfast nook feels like artwork curated for the dining table.
Andrew Joseph: What inspired you to become a designer?
Patti Woods: I have a degree in art and graphic design, which was my focus throughout my 20s and 30s. I had close friends telling me I should transition to interior design because it seemed like a natural inclination, but it took me a while to get there! I was in my mid-40s when my husband, a residential builder, asked me to collaborate on a project that needed an interior designer, and I’ve been working ever since.
AJ: How do you stay creative and inspired?
PW: Things are constantly inspiring me — food, movies, books, nature, all kinds of art. I’ve been reading all sorts of food memoirs lately (I’m currently listening to Julia Child’s memoir), and the integration of food, art and home has been wonderful to listen to. I love hearing about what drives other people to make things!
This bedroom plays like a cinematic scene, where a caramel leather channel-tufted bed glows under the shimmer of a crystal chandelier.
AJ: How do you approach designing for different types of clients?
PW: It’s important for me to get to know the client a little initially. I like to understand what they’re interested in — how they live and interact with their spaces, what colors they respond to, where they travel, or things they collect. All of this shapes a design approach, and no two clients are exactly alike! That’s part of the fun, as well as the challenge. Through this process of getting to know the client, I can better form a design concept that is tailored to them.
AJ: What is the most important skill for a successful designer?
PW: Problem solving! I am constantly rearranging things in my head to find the best solution before putting anything down in a plan. I try to get a picture of the entire project before the next steps can begin. Another important skill is the ability to think on your feet — things rarely go exactly as planned, and you have to be able to pivot!
With soaring windows, collected art and an Eames classic in crisp white leather, this style moment balances architectural drama with personal refinement.
AJ: How do you incorporate art into your designs?
PW: Many of my clients have been collectors in their own right, so it’s been fun to build ideas around important pieces in their collections. In other projects, I’ve used the architecture, the natural surroundings of the space, and the client themselves to help guide art choices. It’s a delicate balance — art can make or break an entire room!
AJ: If you weren’t a designer, what would you be and why?
PW: I have always been interested in anthropology and even took a few related classes in college. Understanding the history of humanity is fascinating to me. On the opposite end of that would be set design. I love the idea of creating an entire world for characters to live inside of, incorporating story and costume into it, and watching that unfold on screen.
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