Talk Shop: Katie Winnington // C&E Furniture and Design
ABOUT KATIE
When Katie Winnington took over her family’s furniture company, she had no idea what she would eventually grow it into. While working with her mom at their furniture showroom, Katie received first-hand experience in how integral design is, both from a furniture perspective and home perspective. You need great design for the home to function, and great design for furniture to be functional and beautiful. After taking full ownership of the company and a rebranding, C&E Furniture is a retail showroom and full-service interior design firm.
Now, based right on the beach in Delaware with their boutique showroom more inland, Katie and her team focus on new builds, large-scale renovations, and curated interior furnishings. The firm has refined its style to what Katie calls “coastal and elevated”, using muted tones, boundless texture, and modern lines inspired by the coastal lifestyle.
Describe your style in three words or less:
Organic, Elevated, Functional
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
Travel, art, and the beach.
How did you start your company, and what is your favorite thing about what you do:
I started my company in 2012. I had a wild idea that slowly, piece by piece, started to fall in place and before I knew it I was running a successful Interior design and furniture company.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
She's not in the interior design industry, but my sister is my mentor for all things in my life and is always my first call for career advice.
What does your home say about you:
We are a family of two little kids and love earthy textures and tones.
Where do you find inspiration:
Growing up by the ocean has been such a big influence on my personal aesthetic. I love all textures and neutrals. I’m constantly inspired by being on the coast!
Who are your style icons:
I don't have a style icon, but I love fashion almost as much as I love interiors. I am constantly surprised by how I dress is often inspired by the spaces I work in.
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Great food, good drinks, and lots of laughs.
Do you collect anything:
I inherited my grandmother’s shell collection and have been adding to it ever since.
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
I love Instagram for inspiration and the community of creatives it supports. There isn't one account or accounts I go to, but love nothing more than being completely blown away by someone’s work I see while scrolling through my feed.
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
Balance—though I also love it when I see a great design that has completely broken that rule.
What are you working on right now:
We have multiple new builds, several renovations, and smaller-scale furniture design projects. The structure of the company allows for different scales of projects to be all on the table at the same time and I think it's so fun as a designer to work like that.
Wardrobe staples:
Light wash jeans, Chelsea boots, and a neutral or black top.
Best interior advice you ever received:
Every project is an opportunity to be better.
Best career advice you ever received:
Always be evolving.
Types of home purchases you invest in:
Good bedding and vintage rugs.
Your greatest extravagance:
Travel and food.
Favorite places to shop for home:
Etsy, 1st Dibs, and High Point Market.
Most prized possession and why:
They're not really possessions. but I love sharing my life with my children and being able to see the world through their eyes.
Your interiors motto:
Details matter.
Your life motto:
One door closes, another opens
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
Find your style, but be willing to change it when it stops speaking to you.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: I love it all
Drink: Dirty Martini or Spicy Marg
Film: The Princess Bride
Hotel: Lokal Old City
City: Cape Town, South Africa
Bedding: Linen everything
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Coffee with a dash of sugar and lots of half-and-half
Playlist: Indie, New Wave or Pop
Weekend Activity: Beach days or hikes with my family
Design Book: Too many good ones to pick just one!