Designer Spotlight

Matthew White
White Webb, LLC

Where did you grow up, and how did it affect your sense of design?
"I grew up in a trailer park in Amarillo, Texas. On the face of it, that seems like a hideous place to come of age and certainly much of my design is the antithesis of that world, but when the peach trees bloomed or there was another West Texas sunset, it didn't matter what my house looked like. Nature is beauty for the masses, and it still inspires me."

What originally inspired you to become an interior designer?
"I knew from a very young age that I would become an interior designer, mostly to take an active role in changing the ugly world I saw around me."

What is your definition of good design?
"Beauty and function without compromising either."

What is the most common design challenge you encounter?
"People who spend money on interiors often make the mistake of wanting to see that money reflected on every surface. By all means, get great stuff but balance it with simple backgrounds or materials so the stars of the room shine."

What is the most common place you find inspiration for your designs?
"Ancient cultures are an enormous influence for me. I can't get enough of the classical Western world, but India is also a huge inspiration."

What rules of design should everyone follow?
"My rules! (Just kidding). Follow your heart because design dictates don't always translate. Personal style is where it's at and when people don't pursue that, we are all shortchanged."

What is the best design advice you ever got?
"Never compromise."

What new materials/technologies/products interest you?
"Natural materials – silk, linen, wool and cotton; you don't fool with Mother Nature. In terms of technology, I also like speakers that are plastered all over, the iPod and geo–thermal heating." 

What, in general, does the future hold for design?
"Beauty, beauty and more beauty - at least that's my hope for the future of design. Define it how you will."