In Conversation with Sally Wilkinson

Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles: Finish this sentence. A Sally Wilkinson project isn’t complete without…

Sally Wilkinson: A Sally Wilkinson project isn’t complete without at least one piece that has lived another life, whether it’s an antique chair, a painting picked up at auction, or a vintage light fixture. I love beautiful new things, but it’s often the antiques that add depth and a sense of permanence that I am always drawn to.

AH&L: You spent some years living and designing in London. How did that experience influence your design perspective and personal style?

SW: Living in London had a huge impact on the way I think about design. I moved there in my 20s and ended up staying for five years, so many of my formative years as a designer were spent there. One of the biggest lessons I took away was the confidence people have in mixing color and pattern. There is a wonderful fearlessness to many British interiors that somehow still feels sensible. On a personal level, living there broadened my perspective in so many ways. It pushed me outside my comfort zone, exposed me to different ways of living, and ultimately made me a more curious person. I know I will draw on my time in London for the rest of time.

AH&L: If you could eliminate one design trend permanently, what would it be and why?

SW: It would be the pressure for every home to look perfectly polished and camera ready. I think the most interesting houses have evolved over time and have an ease about them that feels comfortable and inviting. They stay true to the particular architectural setting and needs of the family who lives there rather than a particular moment or trend.

AH&L: Has there been a project that fundamentally changed how you think about beauty, comfort, or home?

SW: I worked on a 900-square-foot flat in London that really challenged me. Every inch of the apartment had to work very hard, and there was little room for anything unnecessary. It forced me to think carefully about function, storage, and how my clients would actually live day-to-day. That project reinforced the idea that beauty and comfort are not necessarily tied to square footage.

AH&L: You often create interiors that feel collected rather than manufactured. What is the difference between a house that tells a story and one that simply follows a style?

SW: I think a house that tells a story has a few elements of surprise. You notice a piece of art, an antique, or an unusual object and wonder where it came from. It feels individual and thoughtfully put together. A house that follows a style can certainly be beautiful, but I think it’s the considered details that make a home memorable.

AH&L: What object in your own home would you save first in a fire and why?

SW: Besides the obvious of making sure my family was safe, I would save a painting my husband and I bought together when our daughter was born. Every time I look at it, it reminds me of that season of life.

AH&L: How do you think the definition of a well-designed home will continue to evolve over the next decade?

A Day in the Life

SW: I think we’re already starting to see a shift away from homes that feel overly designed and toward homes that feel more personal. I hope we’ll continue to place more value on craftsmanship, longevity, and pieces that are meant to be kept for generations. To me, great design gets better with age. sallywilkinson.com

6 a.m. Start the coffeepot and walk Hutty, my 4-year-old Cavalier King Charles spaniel.

7 a.m. Feed Hutty, review my calendar for the day, make to-do lists and drink a coffee. I also will plan dinner (if I decide to cook!) and read through my collection of cookbooks.

9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. The day is spent in the office. I’m usually on Zoom calls in client meetings or conferring with project managers. Many days I’ll visit vendors, do some project research, attend architectural meetings, and complete all of the other things that bring our projects to life.

6:30 p.m. I have dinner with family or friends. This is my private time, which rejuvenates me and gives me the quiet time to explore my design passions.

This is the seventh installment of  AH&L’s Futures of Design. To learn more about the class of 2026, visit atlantahomesmag.com/futures-legends.