Aisling Wilson

CREATIVE DIRECTOR ASH WILSON DESIGN

Over the past decade, Aisling has worked with innovative, design-led companies and design industry leaders where she broadened her design vocabulary. Having studied at the Dublin Institute of Interior Design, and obtaining an honours degree in Business and Marketing, setting up her own practice was a natural progression. Aisling’s aim is to bring a unique identity to each project, which results in original work that is true to her client and their needs while respecting its surroundings. She believes that each project’s goal goes beyond a “beautiful home” brief.

How would you describe your work/design style/ethos? I would describe my style as whimsical, eclectic and tailored. My ethos is to bring a unique identity to each project. The quintessence of my company is creating original work. A beautiful home is always the coveted goal, but a functioning home is what makes a home a home. Functionality is the core of any project I undertake, it is the foundation that the beautiful home brief rests upon.

How long have you worked in this sector? I have been working in Design for 12 years now.

What led you to this career path? Interior design for me is a true passion, the fact that I have made it my career and run a successful business is something that I feel very fortunate about. I grew up in a creative household, my mum is an artist and my sister is a fashion designer, so creativity and expression through an artistic channel was very much my normal. I studied Interior design in college and my career path grew organically from there.

Please describe a highlight of your career to date. Being nominated for not one but two design et al awards!

How did achieving this make you feel? Genuinely, it is such a great feeling to be nominated. The standard of the awards across the board is so high, it is an amazing competition to be part of for 2020.

What inspires you? Art has such an inspirational effect on my work, and is often the starting point for many of my designs. It also effortlessly sets a style or creates a mood. Artists also have a huge impact on my inspiration too. Learning about their design processes and how they have created their work.

What motivates you? My husband Adam (no joke!). He is the most talented and driven person I have ever met. Also working within the design and build sector, he has a pragmatic approach to design. His motto is “A problem is never a problem, it is another opportunity for design!”

Where in the world do you like to retreat to? Southern France. So many beautiful cities, beaches and restaurants.

Where and how do you find support? My design community is very strong. I have a few really good friends who also work in the design industry. We stay in contact on a weekly basis, we ask each other for advice or to discuss a new idea or just to have a good old vent!!

Where do you find comfort? Spending time with my family. My daughter, who is nearly 3, brings me so much happiness. When I am with her, I switch off, no phones and we are both generally found working in our lovely ever-expanding garden.

Has the recent global pandemic changed the way in which you work? Yes, In particular, I have really learned the power and strength of technology, affording increased studio time and decreased travel time. Were possible, I now video call my clients for brief follow up meetings. I pre-order almost everything and I get the majority of sampling delivered to the studio, but of course still have to visit my sites and suppliers as it is an essential part of the job. In essence, I really have become more adept with time management.

Has it changed your outlook? It has made me appreciate that I have the ability to create the time and space to relax with my family. I do not always have to be “so busy”, while that is always seen as a good complaint, I now think differently. We all are our own worst enemy, and we create the madness around us, so it is up to us to create the calm too. It is hard adjusting back to a somewhat normal working week, and I am still trying to find my feet with the family/ work balance.