Meet Whitney Talsma, the Marketing graduate turned Interior Design Company Owner who created Oliver James Interiors. A chance encounter with an old coworker became her sign to formally study interior design. While pregnant with her second child, she completed her degree online and, shortly after giving birth, launched her own business. Now, four years later, she find immense joy in creating cozy, cottage vibes for her clients!
Whitney's Whimsical Journey into Interior Design
My mom, an interior design hobbyist (very talented at that!) built, renovated, and designed a lot of our homes growing up, so since I can remember as a little girl, I was exposed to many showrooms, wallpapers, construction sites etc. Looking back, I never would have thought it would one day influence my career choice today but maybe that’s how I attained somewhat of a natural talent and eye for good design. Since 2012, my love for interior design started to blossom after graduating college with a Marketing degree, but I didn’t make the leap to officially chase that passion until after a kismet moment. It’s somewhat of a wild story but just the night before I told my husband I was ready to take the next steps to becoming an interior designer, and for me that meant getting a more formal education. The next day, I ran into an old co-worker during a lunch break who worked nearby and she was telling me about the New York Institute of Art & Design interior design school program she was taking online. It was my sign from a higher power that it was time to start making my dream a reality. So during covid and while pregnant with my second baby, I spent hours and hours every day completing the degree and graduating before she was born. Although, I then spent time applying to positions while a few weeks postpartum, I sensed another indescribable strong gut feeling I was meant to start my own business so I did and now it’s been four whirlwind years!
I’m not sure my career has been launched yet, per say, but my Tall Oaks Sherborn project and 4EverFerryTale project in Westport, CT have seen a lot of love!
Interior Design Aesthetic of Cozy English Countryside
My signature style tends to be inviting, cozy, and more classic with a touch of whimsy and has an english country or British influence. I often layer fresh colors and patterns that feel joyful or has a sense of history and soul. I love a mixture of old and new and using natural elements whether it be with natural materials or plant and animal motifs.
Finding Interior Design Inspiration though Travel
It sounds cliche but travel and nature are my biggest sources of inspiration. I've been fortunate to have traveled on most continents around the world and have been exposed to different cultures, topography, etc and there is an endless amount of inspiration whether it be through color palettes, patterns, forms, textures and more.
Reading Between the Creative Lines
I always start by getting to know the client on a personal level with meetings in person, if possible, questionnaires, collecting inspiration pictures and understanding where they get their inspiration from. Listening and reading between the lines is one of my greatest assets. From there I start with a color palette based on their preferences and potentially pushing them a little bit out of their comfort zone. I love to find a hero pattern with that color palette that really kicks off the room design whether that be in a textile, wallpaper, or piece of art the client owns and loves. I rely heavily on gut feeling and whether it feels right when sourcing items. “When I see it, I know it” is often a motto for me. Throughout the process we are very organized with our systems and processes with both the client and the builders involved and value good communication and team collaborations across the board. It takes a village to bring a beautiful design for a client to life!
Whitney's Favorite Project
That’s tough but I might say my Tall Oaks Sherborn project which pushed the boundaries of color and pattern and millwork opportunities across a very large home addition. The end result was exciting and beautiful and of course the client feels so at home and truly feels like it’s a reflection of them and their collected antiques and art over the decades.
Color & Pattern Perfectly Curated
As mentioned earlier, much of the color and patterns might be influenced by the client’s preferences, inspirations, and the surrounding environment. We usually start with a two to three color palette and a larger statement pattern and then work in different scale patterns or accent colors that complement each other or even potentially add a little tension to keep things interesting.
Design Trends - LIT UP
I love interesting light fixtures! (hence why I love Stray Dog!) Whether they be colorful, have an interesting form, are antique or vintage, or are adorned with a pleated and/or patterned lampshade. They can be the statement maker in the room which adds that unexpected pop.
Her Favorite Stray Dog Pieces
The Lotus Chandelier and the Lucy Sconce are so fun!
What's Coming Up?
What’s on the horizon? Any exciting projects or goals you’re looking forward to? We have an exciting project for a young family in NJ we are working on that we feel truly represents our core design style as mentioned earlier. I’d also love to be nominated and maybe win New England Homes 5 under 40 award too!
Adding a Personal Touch
I love being out in nature whether that be by the sea, hiking in the woods, or working in my various gardens. Traveling is another huge passion of mine and I attribute it to my unique heritage with my grandparents coming from Argentina, South Korea, the UK, and beyond. If I wasn’t an interior designer I would figure out how to make a living out of traveling the world. In fact, I used to have a travel blog where I shared all of my adventures. But on a day to day basis, I am happiest with my husband of 18 years and our two kids in our early 1800’s federal farmhouse we feel so lucky to be stewards of.
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS:
Photographer: Jessica Delaney Photography
Styling: Sean William Donovan
Interior Designer: Oliver James Interiors
