the top of the table,” laughs Donna. “But she had an eye for beautiful pieces, and soon she was a young teen designing her own jewelry.” Caitlin was drawn to vintage beads, chains, pieces, and baubles that were sometimes broken or one half of a pair. She would buy them and transform them into wearable art. “I remember finding an antique sterling rosary medallion from 1942 with an inscription on the back,” explains Caitlin. “I just loved that it had a story and a timeless quality – a richness to it – that made the piece all the more meaningful.” Caitlin made the medallion a centerpiece of a new necklace she created. An entrepreneur like Donna, Caitlin founded cwjewelrydesign.com and her business took off. Donna supported her daughter’s creative endeavors but also encouraged Caitlin to purse another love of hers – writing – which she did at UC Irvine, studying journalism. Meanwhile, Donna was adding more services to Relics – not simply shopping for clients but also helping design for them on a larger scale. It wasn’t too long before Caitlin’s passion for design seemed like a natural fit to join forces with Donna. “We realized that our combined talents could become something much broader in scope – and the name Whelan Design House reflects our desire to embark on different creative projects and offer various services under one umbrella,” explains Donna. “We are always evolving,” adds Caitlin.
20
Photos courtesy of Whelan Design House
If the partners do not find something they are looking for, they will have it created – often designing it themselves. Whelan Design House’s furniture line – with soft modern shapes in gorgeous lush blues and pinks is not just beautiful but functional, comfortable, and built to last. “I love a math problem and a design challenge and sometimes a custom design is the only solution,” explains Caitlin, who is very adept at the technical side of the business. “She is amazing with new technology, such as 3D modeling, which helps bring a room to life on the screen so our clients may visualize a space,” says Donna. Successfully blending styles and eras is often a challenge for homeowners and designers alike, but it’s a specialty of Whelan Design House. “We are especially inspired when there can be a fusion of time periods. For example, a piece from the 60s working alongside something from the 20s.” A client is thrilled if she can keep that favorite piece from her grandmother, but also bring in more modern touches that create a fresh and contemporary look. Donna and Caitlin love to introduce special finds, often vintage or antique, into a scheme to express a client’s personality. “Good
