Birmingham Magazine April 2018 Issue

• CULTURE | Q&A
Meet the Designer
Dana Wolter is an award-winning interior designer based here in
Birmingham. We chatted with her about design trends, what Southern
style means to her, and what she loves about Birmingham.
Birmingham magazine: Tell us a little bit about yourself and
how you got started with your business.
Dana Wolter: I am the mother of three daughters, Ann
(17), Ellie (19), and Lucy (21), and have been married
to my husband, Danny, for 22 years. My interior design
business officially began 13 years ago after friends
began asking me for help with their homes. Through
referrals and a few accolades, we have grown to a
design firm of four working on turnkey projects.
What brought you to Birmingham?
I am originally from Tuscaloosa and grew up
coming to Birmingham on a regular basis
to shop with my mother and sisters. After
living in Memphis for a few years after
college, I felt the pull to move closer
to home since I had family living in
Birmingham. I met my husband three
weeks after moving here, and the rest
is history. I am one of five children, and
three of my siblings and I now live within
five minutes of each other. Birmingham is
truly home to me.
How would you define “Southern style”?
Southern style is warm, inviting, and
personalized. It's refined without being too
serious or formal.
What are the décor/design trends you are
loving right now?
I love that people seem less worried
about keeping up with what their neighbors have and are now
more focused on making their own home special to them. I
believe in living well in your home, and my goal with every
client is to help them achieve their own definition, whatever
that may be.
What design trend do you wish would go away?
Ornate, shiny furnishings that look new.
If you had to choose three décor staples that any house
should have, what would those be?
A Louis Philippe antique mirror, the best
upholstery your budget can afford (European
fabrics are my favorite), and a well-thoughtout
furniture plan that makes the room
work hard for your family.
Do you have a favorite home décor shop
in Birmingham?
I tell people all the time that Birmingham
has some of the best stores in the
Southeast, hands down! I have several
favorites including Circa Antiques, 18th
Street Orientals, Leaf & Petal, and Shoppe.
Where can we find you hanging out in
Birmingham on a Saturday night?
I love a good meal on a Saturday night,
and Birmingham has so many great
options. Bottega Cafe, Chez Fonfon, and
Gianmarco’s are a few of my favorites.
32 | Birmingham | APRIL 18
Photo by CARY NORTON
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