Kelly Wearstler - Interior Design Glossary

Kelly Wearstler (born 1967) is an American interior designer widely credited with reviving the bold, glamorous approach to residential and hospitality design in the twenty-first century. Her signature style layers rich textures, bold patterns, vintage finds, and contemporary art with a fearless confidence that has earned her commissions for luxury hotels, celebrity residences, and product lines. She was among the first designers to build a major brand through social media, inspiring millions with her maximalist yet sophisticated aesthetic. Wearstler's influence on contemporary interior design is immense. She demonstrated that modern interiors need not choose between minimalism and decoration—her spaces are simultaneously curated and exuberant, sophisticated and approachable. Her product lines for brands like Lee Jofa, Ann Sacks, and her own label make her layered aesthetic accessible at various price points. Her work has inspired a generation of designers and homeowners to embrace bold color, mix patterns, and treat their homes as expressions of personal creativity.

Key Characteristics

✓Pioneered modern maximalist interior design
✓Layers textures, patterns, and materials fearlessly
✓Mixes vintage, contemporary, and artisan pieces
✓Built a major design brand through social media
✓Creates glamorous hospitality interiors worldwide
✓Makes bold design accessible through product lines

Types & Variations

Proper Hotel, Santa Monica

Viceroy Hotels collection

Residential projects in Los Angeles and New York

Furniture and lighting for EJ Victor

Tile collections for Ann Sacks

Common Materials

Marble and onyxBrass and bronzeRich textiles and velvetExotic stoneHand-glazed ceramicsLacquered surfaces

Works Well With These Styles

Contemporary Art Deco Mid Century Modern Modern Postmodern

Placement & Usage Tips

Channel Wearstler by layering—start with a bold area rug, add a mix of vintage and modern furniture, then pile on textured throw pillows and collected objects. She advises varying scales and mixing at least three different materials in every room.

💡 Pro Tip

Kelly Wearstler's interiors succeed because bold elements are balanced by sophisticated color palettes and careful editing. When embracing maximalism, choose a cohesive color story and vary the scale of patterns—pair a large geometric rug with smaller-scale pillow prints and medium-scale art.