GO EXPERTS - SET THE STAGE
Native Knowledge: Shannon began as a stylist in the fashion industry, but has expanded her talents into designing and staging homes for the reseller market. Down Under Design: For a laid back design, Shannon looks to Australian elements as an inspiration go-to.
“I love the design challenge and the ‘before and after’ satisfaction.”
International Smile: Shannon has lived in New York, London, Seattle and Los Angeles.
—Shannon McLaren Wilkins
Shannon McLaren Wilkins,
OWNER OF PRAIRIE HOME STYLING Shannon McLaren Wilkins began as a stylist in the fashion industry, but has expanded her talents into designing and staging homes for the reseller market. She finds her appeal in redesigning homes into fresh and timeless sanctuaries. She’s lived in New York, London, Seattle and Los Angeles, all of the world’s finest metropolises, which has helped her develop the sleek, comfortable, antique, and modernized style that so many people crave in their homes.
PRAIRIE HOME STYLING www.prairiehomestyling.com | 310.994.7552
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Q: How long did it take for you to stabilize your company, and what were some of your initial struggles? Shannon McLaren Wilkins: Since launching, we have been successful due to the booming real estate market in SoCal. Some of our struggles have been keeping up with demands because inventory is always coming in and out. Q: What visions and future plans do you have for your company within the next five years? SW: We launched a remodel/interior design aspect of our business a few months ago. It’s going really well and I love working with clients on their personal homes. I would love to continue that aspect. It’s also always possible that we open up a home store in Newport. That’s just dreaming though. I can only imagine our warehouse and inventory will keep growing with the staging side as well. Q: What advice do you have for someone who wants to get into the same field as you? SW: Do it! I started with one house at a time. Q: What is something you learned on the road to becoming an entrepreneur? SW: Good news travels fast. If it’s going to work and catch on, it is usually a quick positive response. Grow funding as needed, and don't invest money when you're not forced to. We started in my garage, then got a storage unit, then a smaller warehouse and now we are in an even larger warehouse.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job? SW: It’s a new project every few days, which can be chaotic for some, but I love the design challenge and the ‘before and after’ satisfaction. Q: What are some of your biggest challenges when designing a particular room? SW: In staging, sometimes we need to furnish homes that are NOT updated, which helps mask some of the design flaws, however it is less inspiring. Q: Where do you get your inspiration? SW: I get my inspiration from design magazines, flea markets, Instagram and the black hole that is Pinterest. I look internationally in Australia, London and New York as well. I always take what I find abroad and add elements that make it feel more Californian. Australia seems to have that laid-back design nailed! Q: Can you explain your process when redesigning a home? SW: I’m all about the flow. I start at the front door and walk the whole house. I take on a weird intuition feeling on how the house should move. If something feels wrong, I fix it. Then I focus on the exterior of the home and ask myself ‘What style is it?’ Then I take the vibe of the house in consideration when selecting materials to update it.