Charmaine Wynter, B.ID and IIDA, is CEO and President of Charmaine Wynter Design firm located in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. She is an international, multi-award winning, interior design expert. In 2017 she was awarded as one of the Top 25 Interior Designers in Dallas. In 2009 she was recognized as having one of the most imaginative commercial floors. On top of all this, she was one of the first Caribbean HGTV reality tv stars!
Oola: What drew you to the field of Interior Design?
Charmaine: At age eleven I discovered my superpower. I possess creative genius when it comes to transforming rooms into a harmonious union of colour, line, shape, and textures –you see, I was born with a God-given talent to enhance interior spaces. This discovery not only came as a surprise to me but to my whole family who endured many a Saturday morning sounds of me arranging furniture into yet another freshly inspired configuration. Weekly, I challenged myself to give my bedroom an original makeover—didn’t everyone?
Oola: How did you get your start?
Charmaine: After trying a few “practical” careers, I attend an interior design college and graduated during a down market. No design firms were hiring! I began teaching. While teaching provided me with an insane amount of design fundamentals knowledge (I had to research the art in order to teach my classes) I still wanted more. One day I heard about a new tv network station showcasing content for women. So I decided to share my skills via reality tv on the Canadian version of trading spaces —“the decorating challenge” and on “Room to grow”—an outdoor design and landscaping show, then later on the USA/Canada tv show “divine restoration.”As a HGTV pioneer I was able to fulfill my desire to enhance average lives through beautiful interior design to a worldwide audience.
This open concept Executive two story has such high ceilings the challenge was to make it seem intimate and cozy. Charmaine accomplished that with furniture that visually added presence to the room while not appearing oversized.
Oola: What’s a common misconception people have about hiring an Interior Designer?
Charmaine: That a Designer will come in take over and charge an extravagant amount of money; in reality interior designers are trained to consider the modification of the interior structure of the building rather than just refinishing and furnishing existing spaces so this is where we marry your tastes, preferences, likes, dislikes, style, and lifestyle needs with our knowledge and experience to craft the desired result— its only insanely expensive if your tastes are.
I wish someone had told me how much math is involved on a day to day basis in such a “creative” field.
Oola: What advice do you have for others that may want to get into the field of Interior Design? What do you wish someone told you?
Charmaine: Pay attention in math class—there are many steps between the demolition to the reveal—I wish someone had told me how much math is involved on a day to day basis in such a ”creative”field—everything in Design is based on a some sort of mathematical calculation— from basic addition— used to account for billable hours, and the height, width, area, volume ratios—use to determine product quantities to the complex formula equations I use to determine ergonomic design solutions—I’m forever grateful to my grade eight math teach Mr Petrovich.
Oola: What advice do you have to give to our readers, for living life to their tastes using interior design?
Charmaine: Everyday I have the pleasure of Creating inviting spaces that help people work and live efficiently and more harmoniously while enhancing emotional and mental wellness —that is such a priceless opportunity that everyone deserves. So I advise everyone to find a designer that truly understands your distinctive luxurious living sensibilities and allow her to impact your lives in this same way.
Another Project of Charmaine’s
To Learn More About Charmaine Wynter:
Company: Charmaine Wynter, her design firm by the same name, offers concierge residential design as well as customized office and turnkey hotel-like design relocation services to furnish and decorate. Their interior design firm projects range from classic styles to contemporary looks with an emphasis on comfortable, relaxed modern living spaces. Charmaine and her team can fully outfit your Southlake Texas – Dallas/Fort Worth interior with all the essentials, including lighting, rugs, drapery, art, furniture, bedding and wallpaper– just about everything you need for a custom upscale living experience.
Website: https://www.charmainewynter.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/charmainewynter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/charmainewynterint
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charmainewynter/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charmainewynterint
