Based out of Philadelphia, Barette Widell & Christina Boschetti are the duo design team of Widell + Boschetti, a boutique interior design firm that symbolizes how important a blend of disciplines can be to a successful project. After working with the firm to create a custom piece for one of their projects, I knew I wanted to feature them in our Designer Spotlight series. Get to know this talented team and see more of the project which includes a custom Canvas With Movement® tapestry below!

Tell us about Widell+Boschetti! How long have you been in business?

Barette Widell and Christina Boschetti started their boutique residential interior design firm about 4 years ago. W + B has a technical designer (Cads,elevations, renderings, layouts) as well as an office manager (invoicing, tracking, bookkeeping, any admin). We call these girls our left and right hands. PHEW!

How did you two meet? What lead you to designing interiors together?

After their first run-in at the park, they both walked away thinking they have met their business partners. Quickly they realized their similar paths and common goals could be turned into something great. With both families on the verge of leaving Philadelphia fate kept them here to join forces. Little did they know their dream was right under their noses. Christina joined Barette to operate the lifestyle and event design company, called Widell Designs.

After working their butts off for about a year both having kids in hand dragging them along to meetings, they decided the event business just wasn’t doing it for them. There was very little design and not enough money to deal with this business. Their love for design was to go to the next level. They soon took the risk of solely focusing on the interior design industry. They joined their names and officially became partners. Somehow, organically the event requests never came back.

How would you describe Widell+Boschetti’s design aesthetic or signature style that differentiates you from other firms?

W + B design aesthetic would be considered streamlined and sophisticated with a little bit of a twist or edge. We design for all types of aesthetics from Transitional to Modern

Which celebrity is your ideal client based on their style or personality? What about their style or personality would be the best part of working with them?

Charlize Theron. She is classic and sophisticated yet has a little bit of edge. Clearly, in her roles she isn’t afraid to take risks. Working with her would be a dream as she seems as if we could learn a lot from her through out the project.

Which room is your favorite space to design? Why?

Love love love designing formal living rooms! This is the space kids are usually not “allowed” heheheh! That said, clients are willing to spend more money on amazing quality product and give us the ability to take risks. Formal rooms usually are the jewel of the home which allows us to use luxurious lighting and elegant fabrics no matter what the aesthetic is.

Tell us about your worst design fail and how you recovered and what you learned!

Our biggest design fails started in the very beginning of our career where we tried to take on other trades like hanging draperies, etc. We had one client where we didn’t account for the change of depth of the new flooring and gave our seamstress the ceiling to floor existing draperies to make a pattern for the new ones. Even though, it was about a 1/2 “ difference the client was not happy. Needless to say we had to eat the cost of the draperies as well as not given permission to take photos of the entire project. What we learned? LET OUR SUBCONTRACTORS DO THEIR JOBS!!!

What has been your career highlight?

Signing on with an A-list celebrity hush hush- it’s a secret! He/She let us run wild with our designs and is loving everything about the outcome. Almost every piece of furniture was custom designed under our private label Widell + Boschetti which is also a turning point in our career!

What rules do you live by when it comes to including art in your designs?

There are no rules when it comes to art EXCEPT when our client is Art Enthusiast where you are not even allow to say the “A” word never mind placement. Art is such a personal thing to most clients so we include Art in all of our design boards first hand. We include art that we feel best suits the client’s aesthetic both by style and personality. If the client isn’t feeling the pieces we presented then we simply give it a couple rounds. If we do not come to fruition then we hand off the task to our client.

How does Lauren’s artwork fit in to your design aesthetic?

We love using Lauren’s art in our designs especially when the client has a bit of an edge and is a risk taker. Usually its that lonely bare wall that needs a significant piece to give dimension whilst not just a piece of framed art. We love that Lauren’s art has many different elements to it to not only make a huge statement but to really achieve the impact the space deserves.

When choosing artwork or an artist to work with, what challenges do you face?

1. Always BUDGET!!!

2. Clients personal preference

How do you source artwork? Do you have a resource when it comes to looking for new artists or artwork?

We have go- to trade companies we use for every day needs. We also do research through Instagram to find talented unknown or less known artists that speak to us and then usually build an insta love for each other which leads to presenting the artists work in our projects. Its truly an organic way to do business while building long lasting relationships.

Top 2 tips/advice for designers, established or new to the biz?

1. While designing, GO WITH YOUR GUT! The client may have an array of aesthetics they like. That said, they usually don’t know what they like! You as a designer need to really consider the bones of the home and pick which aesthetic will work best for them and then add YOUR own twist.

2. Use Instagram as its the biggest free tool of marketing/researching/engagement. It truly allows people to see who you are as “real people” as well as REAL TIME designing and everyday life. Use this as an advantage as you can run with it as far as you want it to take you!

What is the best way for us to follow your design projects and firm’s accomplishments?!

You guessed it! Insta! @widellboschetti