Located in Charlotte’s historic Southend district (North Carolina), Bohemian Bungalow Design is a residential design studio owned by Wendy Fennell. She loves to layer in new furnishings along with vintage and owned items to create beautifully curated and collected spaces. Learn more about her work in this interview for byDesign!
What is your favorite part about being a designer?
My favorite part about being a designer is seeing a project come to life from design concept to full on completion. It’s exciting to see clients’ reactions to a real-life room that was first on a design board.
Who or what would you cite as your most important influence?
Kelly Wrestler, Justina Blakeney, High Point Market.
Can you tell us about your personal brand?
Bohemian Bungalow Design is a fun eclectic brand that is colorful, stylish and globally inspired with a modern edge.
What is your favorite color palette to work with?
I like indigo blue, grass green and orange!
If you could travel back, what advice would you give yourself as you start this career?
Chill sister! Focus, work hard, listen to the pros and save your money!
Please give us an overview of the more personal side of your business, how did it come to be, any interesting stories about the origin you can share?
Interior design is a second career for me. I had a career for years in fashion and worked for Sam and Libby, Espirit and Calvin Klein leathers. When we adopted our little boy from Russia, I quit my career in fashion and started changing diapers and serving up applesauce and goldfish. After my son grew up I started helping friends and family with their design projects and that’s when Bohemian Bungalow Design was born!
Do you have anything you can share about how you and/or your firm have been affected by COVID-19, and any tips for other designers on how to navigate and cope?
It has been very challenging to say . I’m doing virtual design consultations and e-design and also signed up for business coaching which I never had the time for until now! I’m getting caught up in my studio and taking the time to review my business processes too-what works and what doesn’t.
What do you like most about DesignerInc?
I can order one off items from a vendor without having to write a large opening order! It also gives me access to brands I would not normally consider for a project too.
You were a guest designer at the IDS charity showhouse in Charlotte, NC. It was shutdown two days after opening due to COVID-19, please speak about the process of participation and how your design evolved?
I was asked to design the veranda for the Modern Resort showhouse. My design was a fun outdoor space that was casual, colorful and funky with hanging swings, a love succulent wall and a 20 foot bench to chill on.
Follow her on Instagram: @bohemianbungalowdesign