Talk Shop: Davina Ogilvie // Wovn Home

ABOUT DAVINA

Davina Oglivie is the mastermind behind Wovn Home, the company that innovated the way you can shop for custom window treatments online. After graduating from Harvard and having 15+ years of experience in the fashion industry at brands like J.Crew, Davina witnessed firsthand the progress made in e-commerce. While renovating her own family home, she saw an opportunity to create an online destination for easy-to-source, high-quality curtains, shades, and coordinating hardware needed to create beautiful custom window treatments. In 2019, Davina launched Wovn Home and has since cultivated a strong, supportive community of interior designers and homeowners alike. Davina is ever-growing Wovn Home’s reach with projects extending across the country, from New York to Los Angeles. She lives in Park Slope, Brooklyn with her husband and two small children. Enjoy this #talkshop interview with Davina!

*Photographer: Kirsten Francis; Stylist: Benjamin Reynaert*

Describe your style in three words or less:

Tailored, Classic, Print-Loving!

What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:

My mother has been an incredible aesthetic influence, from the way she decorated our family home to how she graciously hosted friends and family. My father is from New England and together, my parents raised us in Bangkok melding two different cultures together. I always find myself reflecting on those times and like to incorporate both Eastern and Western design themes into my own home.

How did you start your company, and what is your favorite thing about what you do:

I was in the midst of raising two little kids, and updating our home and couldn’t find anything I liked for my own window treatments. My goal for Wovn Home has always been for it to be a destination for top-quality window treatments and a resource for inspiration. One of my favorite things about the company is having the privilege of being a part of such a kind, generous, and talented design community.

Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:

I’ve always sought advice, guidance, and expertise from fellow workroom owners. It’s such an inspiring craft-based industry and tight-knit community. So many of my friends and colleagues have been at this for decades longer than I have been, and there’s an incredible wealth of knowledge, details, and craftsmanship that I am excited to share and be a part of.

What does your home say about you:

I tend to embrace the eclectic, collected side of my personality when decorating my own home. I like to create warm, inviting, and layered spaces mixing colors, patterns, and textures. I am endlessly inspired by all of the incredibly talented textile lines out there. Most importantly, my home is a family home. I have two young kids and we put the place to work. I believe that nothing’s too precious to enjoy every day.

Where do you find inspiration:

I often find the best inspiration from art. I’m particularly drawn to the compositions and color theory of Alex Katz. It’s amazing to see how the color of a painting can affect the overall palette of a room. The right piece of art can really make or break a room.

What are your key ingredients for entertaining:

Whenever I’m hosting family or friends, I like to go a little over the top when setting the table. Tending to all of the details helps set the mood and keeps things festive. I believe in going with the flow during a party when you’re entertaining and don’t forget to have fun and enjoy the party!

Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:

I love following @aspoonfulofbenjamin who always shares spot-on design ideas and inspiration, the irreverent and utterly genius @davidnettosays and I enjoy seeing all that Nickey Kehoe @nickeykehoe is doing – I love Amy and Todd’s aesthetic and am excited that we just had the opportunity to make curtains for their new shop in New York City.

What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:

I’m a firm believer in unifying your window treatments with color or style in open-plan spaces. That’s one rule I can get behind. There’s this misconception that curtain rods should be installed as high as possible, but it does depend on several factors. You don’t want the space between the window and the ceiling to be too large. Getting the drapery and room proportions right always trumps all rules.

What are window treatment tips you always share with your audience:

When deciding what type of window treatments are right for you and your space, I always recommend drapery and curtains for larger-scale windows. They help the window “sit” better in the space and help keep you feeling grounded. Smaller windows are wonderful candidates for Roman shades. We offer three different styles so you can find the right fit for your space.

What are you working on right now:

I’m excited to be working on a new collection and collaboration to launch this fall. Stay tuned!

Wardrobe staples:

I believe in the magic of a really nice, tailored blazer, and a bold printed silk blouse. I love a wide-leg pair of jeans.

Favorite window treatment:

I’m obsessed with valances! I love to see designers bring them back and use them more with beautiful drapery. I’m excited to see a resurgence of valances, cornices, and more traditional window treatment elements. And, I particularly love how a soft valance frames a window.

Best interior advice you ever received:

My friend Christina Nielsen came by in the midst of one of my whole house rearranging frenzies and she reminded me to edit, edit, edit!

Best career advice you ever received:

When I was going back and forth about starting Wovn Home, my husband noticed that I was working so hard at it and really loving the entire process, from the development to the number crunching and he encouraged me to follow my passions and love the thing you’re going to be doing day in day out.

Your greatest extravagance:

It will always be art.

Favorite places to shop for home:

I love getting lost at Antique and Artisan in Stamford CT where I have discovered some really special pieces. I’m also a big fan of eBay, don’t forget about eBay! I recently scored an old book with a bunch of Matisse line drawings that I tore out and framed. My best $3 art project yet!

Most prized possession and why:

I have a beautifully framed family portrait painting from my father’s house that holds pride of place in my home office. I love having reminders of family and friends on the walls.

Your interiors motto:

Have fun and don’t worry too much.

Your life motto:

Have fun, don’t worry too much!

Take Ten: My Favorite…

Food: Khao Soy. It’s this amazing northern Thai noodle curry dish. Highly recommend.

Drink: Bloody Mary, always savory

Film: It’s a Wonderful Life – I’m a bit of a sentimentalist. It’s the first movie my husband and I watched together.

Hotel: The Ham Yard by Kit Kemp. I have yet to go, but it’s on my list!

City: Jaipur is my spirit city

Bedding: Schweitzer linens

Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Triple shot iced latte. I have two a day!

Playlist: Puccini… What can I say, I love opera. I also have Harry Belefonte and Sam Cooke playing on repeat.

Weekend Activity: Making pancakes Sunday morning with my two young kids.

Design Book: My copy of Colefax and Fowler: The Best in Interior Decoration. I love seeing how they effortlessly mix time periods and use drapery to dramatic effect.