Top Design Week Six: Wisit’s Out!
Wisit just couldn’t get down and dirty for the Top Design green challenge. We get his opinion on his “bland” office, what makes a space green, and where he's belting opera and sketching designs now.
This week, you and the other designers had to redecorate an office space to make it more eco-friendly. What did you love about this challenge and what made it so difficult?
I was really looking forward to having another opportunity to express my own individual taste and style while working for a client. The most difficult part for me was in the second half of the challenge having to design for a client that I had actually never met-that and limited resources. You have to come up with a concept, but you also have to race with the other designers to get stuff you want.
After you had already gone shopping and planned out your spaces, you learned that you’d be switching clients. What was that like?
I was actually pretty surprised by the idea, but I think I remained positive, because India was saying that if you’re a good designer you can still create something beautiful. What I was most nervous about was designing something for someone I never had contact with. In that respect, I was a little more conservative in my choices.
You were working with Natalie’s design and the items Natalie bought. Did you get much guidance from her?
Natalie told me about this client who she thought was very young and hip and very artistic. How she had interpreted that was funky and bold, but in my mind I pictured someone a little more stylish. I didn’t use her fabrics because they really did not go together as a color story. There was a metallic zebra print—I don’t mind zebra print, but this one was not attractive. There was dark orange and light iridescent fabric—I don’t see how any of them could work together. If her client had an interest in art, she wouldn’t want tacky choices like that.
Jonathan Adler called the space "bland"—do you wish you had spiced it up a little, maybe with some of Natalie’s fabrics?
I feel that I designed a room that is universally appealing. My own opinion on offices is that they should look a little bit more conservative and a little bit more professional, rather than spiced up. They should be clean, minimal, somewhat stylish, but not overly stylish.
This was first and foremost a green challenge. How did you redecorate and stay eco-conscious?
I reused all of the furniture that was in the room. I kept it very clean, which is very conducive to responsible living. It was an office space that promotes productivity. When I was shopping, I was very conscious of waste. I didn’t buy as much fabric as the other contestants, and I was mindful of my choices.
But do you think you should have taken it to the next level, with more innovative and interesting green projects, like Ondine’s water bottle chandelier?
A lot of the designers reused things by taking them apart, but for me, unless you do a really wonderful job at it- I think that if you chop up furniture, it’s not going to look wonderful. I also wanted it to be functional, so I didn’t include a lot of extraneous decoration in my plan.
When you explained that your décor was timeless and was therefore green, guest judge Danny Seo called your logic “green-washing.” Did he have a point?
I create interiors that are long-lasting and not necessarily trend-driven or driven by, you know, these kind of gimmicky ideas. If you create interiors that are really long-lasting, that’s green in itself.
Jonathan Adler said you were a “one-trick pony” in this episode, and India said that, while elegant and chic, your look was always the same. Were you stuck in a rut, even if it was an elegant one?
No, I don’t see that as being stuck in a rut. I’m a pretty versatile designer. I’m able to create stuff for a variety of clients. Most designers are known for a style, and if the judges feel that my style reflects a certain type of elegance, then that’s what I’m aiming for. If I really had to kick it up a notch I suppose I would, but we had very few individual challenges, and I still wanted my voice to be heard. To me, it’s not very hard to be unusual or creative.
Jonathan Adler called you “one of the most j’adorbable characters ever to grace a reality show” and said he wished you’d stayed on longer. Do you think you got sent home too early?
You know the reason I did this show was to give people an opportunity to see the things I do, and I do a lot of different things. At this point, I do feel that I have made an impression on people, and I’m happy with that.
We got to hear you hit those high notes again last night. Any opera plans for the future?
I actually often do opera recitals at churches and with schools. That’s something I’ve done all my life. I was in boy choir since I was five. Music will always be a part of my life.
A lot of the designers, especially Nathan, seemed sad to see you go. Have you been in touch with any of them since the show ended?
You know I’ve seen them on Facebook, and I run into some of them, and we’ve been in touch. I made wonderful friends on this show. I’ve seen Andrea a few times, and Nathan and Ondine email me occasionally.
How have things changed for you post-Top Design?
Since the show started, it’s been really unusual because people will recognize me on the streets, and I always thought I was very ordinary looking and quiet and obscure. People come up, and they’re just always so gracious and say that they love my personality or whatnot, and you know, it’s always such a nice compliment to know that people appreciate you.