Talk Shop: Tate Casper & Jordan Winston // Oxford Design
About Tate & Jordan
Founders of Oxford Design Tate Casper and Jordan Winston are known for creating stunning environments for commercial spaces like exclusive social clubs and Michelin-star restaurants throughout Tampa, Florida, and beyond. The duo opened Oxford Exchange in 2012 with a mission to create something that would cultivate community and conversation, and from there has expanded its offering. Through the development of the Oxford Exchange, they saw opportunities for a fresh aesthetic in the market and set about realizing their vision for a new kind of interior design firm, founded on the ideals of authenticity, exploration, curation, and heritage. Oxford Design is an extension of the Exchange, as a full-service independent design studio with clients across the country. Tate and Jordan work with clients across the country to create layered and welcoming environments, by mixing contemporary art, classic silhouettes, and clever detailing. The duo has just received the Southeast Designer of the Year Award, and have so many plans and projects on the horizon.
Describe your style in three words or less:
Tate Casper: Classic, structured, timeless.
Jordan Winston: Collected, classic, whimsical.
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
TC: Growing up in West Palm Beach in and amongst beautiful design, living in London, and frequent trips to Europe.
JW: My dad’s love of classic cars, traveling (especially since I grew up in a small mountain town), and my Uncle Don who was an art teacher and introduced me to the arts at an early age.
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
Our company was founded upon the successful opening of a design-forward restaurant, The Oxford Exchange. The best part of what we do is creating homes for people and helping people develop their own personal style.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
TC: The single best piece of advice we have received was the result of dinner this past year with the founder of Waterworks, Barbara Sallick; she told us that we were trying to do too much and needed to define teams in our organization. It was the launching point of a much-needed division of labor and responsibilities.
JW: You are as successful as the people you collaborate with. My business partner Tate has served as one of my greatest mentors and is an incredible asset to our team! While her exacting eye could rival a surgeon, often editing within a 1/16” of an inch, she balances precision with flexibility. She knows when to cleverly embrace the beauty of “That’s too perfect; I want it a little off.”
What does your home say about you:
TC: Buy once, cry once. I slowly build my collection of art and furniture and never get tempted to invest in trends. I know myself well enough to know that I will regret expensive things with short shelf lives.
JW: To create a home that reflects my journey and taste, I embrace an eclectic mix of decor that celebrates both perfection and imperfection, highlighting family memories and personal stories. With touches of whimsy, my home tells the story of who I am and where I come from.
Where do you find inspiration:
TC: Old houses, museums, art, and of course, travel.
JW: Traveling to see what other designers and architects created so many years ago – historical homes and buildings. Museums also serve as a great source of inspiration from fashion to furniture to fine china. Studying the lines of a teacup can be as inspiring as a doric column.
Who are your style icons:
TC: Chic French women young and old.
JW: My older sister, Brittney. Her fearless approach to mixing styles: formal with casual, vintage with runway. Her style is an extension of her creative personality. It speaks to her confidence and how comfortable she is in her own skin; truly sets her on-trend.
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
TC: Pretty monogrammed cocktail napkins, sterling mint julep cups for cocktails, an abundance of food, and a great guest list.
JW: Stocked bar with fresh garnishes and clever cocktail napkins
Do you collect anything:
TC: British contemporary art, old boxes, sterling cups.
JW: Murano Glass boxes and Tramp art.
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
TC: @reddkaihoi and @milieumag.
JW: @bryangraybill and @mariecarolinewillms.
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
TC: Proper scaling of furniture. No rules in design.
JW: I always try to follow proportion and scale. I think it is critical to understand the scale of a room and know what size of pieces are needed to make the room feel balanced. You have to know scale to intentionally under scale a chair or overscale a piece of art within an arrangement.
I think symmetry is made to be broken as long as you balance the other side. Creates an element of whimsy that I am always drawn to in homes.
What are you working on right now:
TC: My own residence with architect Jeremy Corkern and landscape architect John Howard.
JW: An English Pub, Several coastal residences, a Pickleball Club, and a Podcast Studio.
Wardrobe staples:
TC: Jeans, cropped blazers, Chanel flats, gold watch.
JW: Button-down oxford, cashmere sweater, pair of good jeans, and classic ballet flats
Favorite fabric/wallpaper:
TC: Rose Tarlow Gigi blue and white linen stripe.
JW: At the moment, for wallpaper Antoinette Poisson. For fabric, Decors Barbares.
Best interior advice you ever received:
TC: Invest in art you love rather than site-specific pieces.
JW: You have to know the rules to break rules.
Best career advice you ever received:
TC: Speak up.
JW: Work hard; constantly go above and beyond your expected duties. Take the initiative to anticipate the needs of others.
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
TC: Art, classic furniture frames, antique chests. Save on holiday decor.
JW: I will save on the frame of an upholstered good by purchasing a stocked frame and splurging on the fabric to make it custom and tailored to my style. I also splurge on one-of-a-kind pieces such as an antique lamp or chest.
Your greatest extravagance:
TC: Travel
JW: My home- I love to keep adding art and antiques from our travels.
Favorite places to shop for home:
TC: Antique stores on Dixie Avenue in West Palm Beach
JW: Antique stores and estate sales. I love the thrill of not knowing what you are going to find!
Most prized possession and why:
TC: The gallery of artwork my daughter has given to me on all holidays.
JW: A gold charm from my grandmother that she received after running a Levi’s plant for 25 years.
Your interiors motto:
TC: Buy once, cry once.
JW: It’s all about the mix—high, low; antique; new; modern; traditional.
Your life motto:
TC: Stay grounded in who you are.
JW: Put others first and remain humble
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
TC: Travel near and far.
JW: Flip through shelter magazines such as House Beautiful, AD, Milleu, etc. Each of these magazines offers a variety of styles and showcases a plethora of designers. Tag what you are drawn to and look back at what you have tagged.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food:
TC: Sushi
JW: Cheeseburger with fries
Drink:
TC: Iced Tea
JW: Margarita with salt
Film:
TC: Sound of Music
JW: Fried Green Tomatoes
Hotel:
TC: Le Bristol
JW: The Beaumont in London
City:
TC: Aspen
JW: London
Bedding:
TC: Matouk
JW: D. Porthault
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it):
TC: Tea on ice.
JW: Coffee with cream and sugar
Playlist:
TC: Texas Country
JW: My greatest fear is creating a playlist. I hope it will include Whitney Houston (Higher Love), Reba McIntire (Fancy), Electric Feel (MGMT), Vidalia (Sammy Kershaw)
Weekend Activity:
TC: Hanging with my daughter.
JW: Spending time with my kids
Design Book:
TC: Classical Georgian Architecture
JW: The Perfect Kitchen by Barbara Sallick