Designer Spotlight: Windy O'Connor

Meet Windy O'Connor!

Windy is an artist based in Charlotte, NC who creates the most gorgeous abstract pieces. Not only does she paint beautiful, eclectic art collections, she turns those pieces into incredible home furnishings. We recently got to collaborate with Windy, Peachy the Magazine, and Designer Holly Phillips on a Crown Bed Giveaway, and we could not be more in love with how her "Birds of a Feather" fabric turned out on the Kate Crown Bed! We got a chance to pick Windy's brain about her fabulous career and what inspires her most.

When did you start painting and how did you turn it into a career? I have been “artsy” for as long as I can remember. My parents were creative people as well. When my children were both old enough to go to school, I started taking painting classes with an incredible teacher and artist, Andy Braitman. I became hooked immediately! I would sign up for workshops and take any class that I could find.

What has been the most challenging part of starting a small business? Getting over your fears and embracing the learning curves. 

One piece of advice for young entrepreneurs? Running your own business is not for the faint of heart. Remain open to all of the possibilities and dream big. 

What is the most inspiring place you have ever visited? Paris is that city for me. There is so much inspiration everywhere in Paris. Beauty and culture are everywhere on every level of living in Paris. 

Favorite recipe? My favorite and most cherished recipe is my mother’s 10-13 layer chocolate cake.  I love that cake the most when my mother makes it. 

Favorite Movie? It’s A Wonderful Life. 

Favorite Color? Oh! That is a difficult one! I am fascinated by color and all of the complexity and beauty of various colors and color combinations.   I love them all!  It is a like asking me to choose a favorite child.

Ideal Saturday? My ideal Saturday is waking up full of hope and adventure on vacation in a new place. I think that I am drawn to that idea more than ever due to fact that we can’t easily travel this year. 

Favorite designers? There are so many talented designers! Some of my favorites are John Saladino, Axel Vervoordt, Susan Ferrier, Ray Booth and Bobby McAlpine, Kit Kemp and Kelly Wearstler. 

We love the "Birds of a feather" print you choose to put on our bed. Could you tell us a little more about this pattern and how it came to life? Thank you so much! I love that fabric on your Coley Home bed! This pattern was born out of my love for traditional design and the desire to broaden my textile and wallpaper line. I try to create things that would want to use in my own home. 

We love the "Birds of a feather" print you choose to put on our bed. Could you tell us a little more about this pattern and how it came to life? Thank you so much! I love that fabric on your Coley Home bed! This pattern was born out of my love for traditional design and the desire to broaden my textile and wallpaper line. I try to create things that would want to use in my own home. 

We are obsessed with your pillows! What are your favorite ways to use throw pillows on beds? How many pillows do you typically like to use on a king, Queen, and Twin? I have tried so many variations of pillows on my beds and I love a layered bed. For a twin, a sleeping pillow, plus a pillow with a sham and a decorative pillow is very pretty. For a queen bed I love 4 pillows plus a lumbar or a couple of bolster pillows. If I am dressing a king size bed, I love 2-4 pillows plus, a medium or long lumbar pillow.

If you were going to create a Coley Home bed what would you choose? I am planning on placing an order! I really love Luxe Velvet Shadow with Luxe Velvet Mushroom piping with Ebony legs. It is dreamy and would be gorgeous in a masculine or feminine design scheme. 

If you were going to create a Coley Home bed what would you choose? I am planning on placing an order! I really love Luxe Velvet Shadow with Luxe Velvet Mushroom piping with Ebony legs. It is dreamy and would be gorgeous in a masculine or feminine design scheme. 

Thank you, Windy!