In the latest issue of est magazine – our – we asked ten of the world’s most in-demand architects and designers to share their five era-defining products. North American designer Kelly Wearstler joined the lineup, whose work spans architecture, product design, creative direction and brand identity. Kelly inspires her 2.1 million Instagram followers with ; her Instagram feed a rich amalgamation of colour, texture and pattern. In this conversation with Kelly, we learn more about what she calls her “material mixology” and uncover the thread that underscores her entire practice: her unwavering commitment to boundless creativity.
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Outside of your own practice, how does design have an influence on you?
Kelly Wearstler: Great design can inspire, evoke emotion and elevate daily experiences. The environments we inhabit are intrinsically connected to our well-being. Each design choice can contribute to an uplifting experience, reshape our perspectives and refine how we present ourselves to the world.
Fashion is a key outlet for me to explore design outside of my own professional practice. I approach my personal style much like I approach interior design – by juxtaposing contrasting styles and textures to introduce an element of material mixology. This fusion of elements results in a unique expression and reflection of the innate beauty that well-conceived design brings to every facet of life.
You established your interior design studio in 1998, which has evolved to encompass architecture, product design, creative direction and brand identity. Do you find there are threads that support creative thinking across all these disciplines?
Kelly Wearstler: The thread that underscores my entire practice is an unwavering commitment to boundless creativity. My design approach has always been about juxtaposition. This manifests in many ways across my studio – whether through the interplay of textures and materials or the blending of traditional techniques with the latest technological advances.
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Your two-million-plus Instagram followers look to you for daily design inspiration. Let’s turn the tables – who do you look to for design inspiration and why?
Kelly Wearstler: I find inspiration absolutely everywhere – art, design, travel, nature, fashion, social media – the list goes on. Instagram allows me to connect with my community and introduce new projects, but it’s equally a wellspring of inspiration for me as well. It really is about having an open heart and educating your eye. Some Instagram accounts I’ve recently been looking to for inspiration are for her beautifully curated feed on the latest beauty innovations, for insights on science, technology and philosophy, The Grand Tourist with for all things design, and for the latest news on fashion, beauty, business and tech. Outside of Instagram, I often turn to podcasts for design inspiration. I love the “ALL-IN” podcast, which keeps me up-to-date with the latest news on AI and technology – two disciplines I’m always looking for new ways to integrate into my practice.
In an increasingly saturated industry, it can be difficult as a designer to cement a ‘signature style’, but you’ve appeared to have mastered it. What advice would you give other designers when it comes to cultivating your own unique style?
Kelly Wearstler: I think it’s always important to approach every project from a place of unrestrained exploration. It’s by pushing boundaries through a process of fearless experimentation that we find our authentic voice.
| Photography courtesy of Kelly Wearstler
| Photography courtesy of Kelly Wearstler
| Photography courtesy of Kelly Wearstler
| Photography courtesy of Kelly Wearstler
Your creativity also extends to your discerning eye for clothing. Why is fashion such an important part of your identity and brand?
Kelly Wearstler: I love fashion; it inspires my design work and vice-versa. My aesthetic has always revolved around mixology – whether that be in my interiors or in the way I dress. Fashion reinforces my design identity as it holds endless potential for experimentation. Vintage and historical reference points are also key highlights of my design practice and personal style; I love incorporating vintage furniture in my spaces as much as I love vintage fashion.
What can we anticipate from Kelly Wearstler in 2024?
Kelly Wearstler: My studio is always exploring new methods and ways of integrating design innovations into our practice. Recently, we have been particularly interested in the marriage of design and technology, and I imagine 2024 will continue to see this exploration. Many designers, including myself, embrace the overlap between design and technology as a key tool in pushing design boundaries and advancing our craft.
Last year, my team and I worked with 3D modelling and printing to create new designs, including my NUDO collection, where I partnered with ARCA to create an array of graphic marble furniture pieces. It was so insightful to witness the interplay between materiality and technology and how bridging the two can produce something so artful and unique.
Malibu by Kelly Wearstler | Photography courtesy of Kelly Wearstler
Malibu by Kelly Wearstler | Photography courtesy of Kelly Wearstler
Design Dissected:
Where we get designers’ takes on broader topics, themes or events currently surfacing in the design world.
Your work is known for its maximal colour, texture and pattern. Do you believe there has been a shift in design, more broadly, to embrace a maximalist approach?
Kelly Wearstler: I don’t tend to be led by trends, but I like to think that a shift towards maximalism reflects a broader commitment to making bold design choices and pushing the limits of creative expression. In my perspective, this shift is emblematic of a collective desire to venture into uncharted territories of design, where the amalgamation of vibrant colours, rich textures and intricate patterns takes centre stage.
Rapid Fire:
Somewhere that inspires you? Paris
Someone that inspires you? Frida Kahlo
Favourite three materials to work with? Stone, timber and metal
Something you want to see more of in design? The marriage of technology and craft
Something you want to see less of in design? Environmentally harmful materials
“I think it’s always important to approach every project from a place of unrestrained exploration. It’s by pushing boundaries through a process of fearless experimentation that we find our authentic voice.”
– Kelly Wearstler
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