“It is well known that working in the design field requires a constant hunt for inspiration.” -CH
This inspiration can come in a variety of forms, for example; nature, fashion, and artwork, are among the many things that I look towards when I want to get the creative juices flowing! On a gorgeous Thursday afternoon, in Napa Valley, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to meet with one of my favorite artists, and after spending only a few hours together, I quickly learned that her story, and personality, are as inspired as her pieces.
Amanda’s St. Helena kitchen
Excitement was in the air as we pulled up to the beautifully manicured and unassuming home of Amanda Wright and family in St. Helena. We were greeted at the door by Amanda herself and were instantly put at ease by her down-to-earth demeanor. Artwork adorned the white walls of the living room while the warm light from outside filled the kitchen. Amanda graciously got to work opening a bottle of bubbly while introductions were exchanged.
Amanda originally got her start in the fashion industry and spent many years working in L.A. designing costumes for TV and movies. Eventually Amanda and her husband decided they wanted to leave Southern California, opting for a slower paced lifestyle to raise their family. St. Helena is home to many artists and designers who are drawn to the idyllic sloping hills and vineyards that span for miles, a perfect example of nature as inspiration! Despite being at home in wine country, Amanda’s main source of inspiration continues to be fashion.
Amanda’s throwing wheel and studio space
Everyday Wear
Both Amanda and Casey begin their design process by pulling inspiration from the traditional and then pushing the boundaries with unique details that are both novel and unexpected. The pieces in Amanda’s Servitude collection possess a domineering air about them, they are strong, and demanding of your attention! In contrast, her everyday wear pieces have a quiet beauty about them. The two different collections reflect a duality that we believe many women share. We can be strong, passionate, and tough when the time is right, but we are approachable, helpful, and refined when we choose to be. We saw these two sides in Amanda when we visited her studio and found it extremely endearing.
Amanda’s Wall Tiles
“ Pieces like Amanda’s embody the fun, funky, and fresh AESTHETIc that i LOVE to INCORPORATE in my designs” -CH
This meeting was born from the mutual appreciation both Casey and Amanda share for each other’s work and mission. You can see many of Amanda’s pieces dotting the interiors throughout Casey’s portfolio, and when we started planning our first CHID event, we knew instantly that we wanted to highlight Amanda’s work. After taking a tour of Amanda’s home and studio, with a quick stop to pick some oranges from her burgeoning orange trees, we were on our way to lunch at Archetype in downtown St. Helena.
Backyard orange picking
Archetype Napa
After a lovely lunch it was time to get down to business! Casey and Amanda had to decide on the final design of their collaborative piece. This piece would be shown for the first time at Casey’s first event which will be taking place at the end of March. In the end, after all of the discussion, Casey and Amanda agreed on, not just one piece, but a set of 5 custom mirrors that reflect the aesthetic of both women, and pay homage to the many multifaceted women that inspire us! We can’t wait to share Amanda’s pieces with the local Danville community and we are forever grateful for your continued support, and the support of inspiring artists like Amanda Wright.
All the best,
Casey & team