Ann Wingate is an independent interior designer of traditional and contemporary styles who operates on the Northbank.
WHAT ARE YOUR DUTIES?
“It varies depending on the client and the project. It can be as simple as selecting a paint color to programming and space planning for a suite of offices or a residence, taking into account locating the non-load bearing structures, finishes, floor coverings, furnishings, accents and soft goods like draperies. In the more detailed work, I also do plans for simple, non-structural construction such as interior partitions. I work with the client to determine what their needs are and how to meet those needs.”
WHAT IS YOUR
CLIENTELE LIKE?
“I have a balance between residential and commercial.”
HOW IS AN INTERIOR DESIGNER DIFFERENT FROM A DECORATOR?
“As far as the State of Florida is concerned, they have a licensing registration process for interior designers that includes education, experience and passing an exam. You’re in danger of losing your license if you practice outside your expertise. You have to have six years experience before you can even take the exam. It does a good, basic job of ensuring the public is protected. Anyone can hang a shingle up and call themselves an interior decorator. They are not supposed to do any commercial work at all because there are other aspects more than just walls. A lot of the materials that are used have to have flame retardant protection.”
WHERE DID she GAIN
her EXPERIENCE?
Fresh out of college, Wingate worked in Jacksonville for a New York designer. She moved to California to work for Lockheed, then an architectural firm. A position with Intraspace Designers Inc. brought her back here.
EDUCATION
University of North Carolina, Greensboro.
WHY DID YOU GET A DEGREE IN INTERIOR DESIGN?
“I started drawing floor plans when I was 12. My parents were in the process of buying a house. I became intrigued and began to look forward to the Sunday edition of the paper where they had the houses listed. It was that, and a real passion for beautiful textiles. I consider it very exciting. And with the technology changing constantly, you see more and more unusual, fabulous colors and patterns.”
HOMETOWN
Ithaca, N.Y.
WHAT QUALITIES ARE NEEDED FOR THE JOB?
“One aspect of design is problem solving. You also have to like people and have an inquiring mind. It’s a constant study of new processes, laws and techniques. To a certain extent, you need to be self-regulating. For example, there may be an occasion when silk would look fabulous but it’s not as durable and might not serve the client as well.”
WHAT’S REWARDING ABOUT YOUR WORK?
“It’s different every day and I like my clients. It doesn’t work very well if you don’t. With the commercial accounts, you have to learn how their business works and I like that, too.”
WHAT’S CHALLENGING
FOR YOU?
“Every job’s a challenge because it’s like a puzzle. There’s an answer in there somewhere. It’s just a matter of discovering it.”
ARE PEOPLE JUST BORN WITH A TALENT FOR IT?
“I think having an eye for color is a natural gift. If you don’t have an eye for color, you should probably look at some other field. I think style is something that can be developed. It comes with education as your exposure is broadened, not just in the classroom, but of the world. Travel is essential for a designer to see how the rest of the world does things and to understand how we got to where we are today.”
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
“Travel is a big part of it — visiting markets, designer showrooms.” Wingate also follows the industry through trade magazines and publications.
HOW DO YOU DEFINE
YOUR STYLE?
“Among designers, it’s frequently considered not desirable to be able to tell someone had done a room. You need to be able to reflect your client’s likes, dislikes and their personal styles. Yours should not be primary. Anytime you work on a project, it’s a partnership and should not be dictated by the designer. My job is to help them realize their goals.”
WHO’S YOUR HERO?
“I like designer Barbara Berry. Now she’s doing a lot of furniture and fabric designs that are really elegant.”
FAMILY
Wingate’s husband, attorney Earl Barker, operates his practice out of the same office building. They reside at the beach.
SPECIAL INTERESTS
Wingate spends her free time gardening, bicycle riding or snowskiing. For an evening out, she would prefer romantic comedies, foreign films or dining at Restaurant Medure. Her favorite book is “West With the Night.”
WHAT’S YOUR PET PEEVE?
“Slow drivers in the left lane.”
— by Monica Chamness