South Shore Home, Life & Style Interviews Wendy

See Wendy’s feature in the The Art of Design article written by Maria Allen for South Shore Home, Life, & Style Magazine.

In an effort to create a to-the-trade resource for members of the local design community, Wendy Callahan opened the South Shore Design Center in Duxbury last fall. When she’s not busy designing inviting spaces for her clients, Callahan practices her art, creating large-scale abstract paintings that feature washes of color in ocean hues.

Which did you fall in love with first, art or design?

I have always done art. When I was in kindergarten, all I wanted to do was stand at my easel and paint. I studied fine art at Syracuse University and got a master’s degree from Ball State University in Indiana, with a focus on ceramics and painting. For a while, I put my art on the back burner and worked for a sports marketing company in Manhattan.

After moving to Boston, getting married and having kids, I was looking for a more flexible job and started doing interior design for friends. My business has grown and evolved over the years. Most recently, I launched the South Shore Design Center—a place where designers can come to look through fabrics or bring their clients. I started painting again about five years ago and I love it.

How would you define your style?

I would describe my style as New England transitional. I like clean lines and well-edited spaces that evoke a calming feeling. I really listen to my clients and try to match their personal tastes. I want them to feel 100 percent comfortable and happy in their home space.

What sparks your creative inspiration?

I’m inspired by my surroundings. I love water and nature. I do what is called color field painting, with blocks and splashes of color, without a structure. People often say my paintings are calming.

What is your favorite room to design and why?

I really like family rooms and kitchens. I love when clients say that their whole family loves to spend time in the room I’ve designed. Kitchens are kind of like a puzzle. Most people spend a lot of time in the kitchen so the design is important. When I’m working on a kitchen design I really look at the whole space to see if a wall needs to come down or if a doorway should be moved. Once you make one decision, everything else falls into place.

Foolproof decorating tip?

I think in coastal homes, a lot of people are looking for fresh, light interiors that are comfortable and family friendly. If you’re going to buy a sofa, choose a neutral color. There are a lot of great fabrics that are stain resistant, which is great if you have kids. If you are looking for an easy way to update a traditional home, bring in some art. A large abstract painting will bring in a freshness that you really can’t get any other way.