Jill Magee
Meet Jill! Jill Magee is one of the very talented World-Class Designers on Alluminare. The multi-talented Jill is not only a surface pattern designer, but a graphic and interior designer as well! We love her style and it is evident in the three amazing patterns here on Alluminare. Available in a multitude of colorways and scale, take your favorite and customize it any way you like on fabric, wallcovering, lamps or pillows. We recently met with Jill to learn more about her design processes and what keeps her inspired….
What design trends are you excited about? Which trends would you like to disappear?
The fact that design is always evolving and reinventing itself is exciting and keeps designers searching for new ways to approach a project. I love to see a product or pattern that evokes a fresh reinterpretation, a creative new twist. I love antique patterns from centuries ago such as the Ikat from Central Asia. The brilliance in color and extraordinary patterns remind me of contemporary paintings. I like to take something old or classic and create a fresh approach ~ to reinterpret from a modern perspective.
Trends I don’t care for? Color can be trendy. It’s easy to follow the latest color trends, but often the best results originate when a chosen color is unexpected. You pay more attention to something that’s not expected, yet works perfectly.
Elise Small Rectangular Pendant Lights & Wallpaper in Gray, Charcoal Gray, & Gold
Viva adds a classic punch of color for a wide range of applications. With a white background and stripes with blues or reds it becomes nautical – perfect for a beach house. With darker colors it turns more masculine and would be great in a dining room, bar or restaurant. An orange and white colorway is hip and fun. The large scale is dramatic and adds a classic feel that is fresh and modern. It’s great for pillows, and used on square small pendant lights, it accentuates the geometric pattern.
Viva Custom Fabric in a "Nautical" Colorway of White, Classic Red, & Blueberry
Viva 24 Inch Drum Pendant Light in Dark Goldenrod, Classic Brown & Gray
Viva Custom Pillow in White, Orange, and Canteloupe, Largest Scale
San Miguel for a backsplash, in a small scale, would be a great use for this pattern — less expensive than tile! I love it on the drum shades – its a fresh, modern pattern and looks unique in so many color combinations. I’m drawn to the lighter greens and white, as well as the more saturated earth tones. Fabric for a duvet cover or a pillow in San Miguel adds a modern accent to a room.
San Miguel Large Rectangular Pendant Light in White, Silver, Gray & Gold
What is your favorite color to design with right now?
White! It’s always a strong foundation and expands a space. It’s both modern and antique. In the 17th century white was often used because there were not a lot of pigments available. From white washed shutters to painting a brick fireplace white, it always evokes a sense of freshness. Art on a white wall is wonderful. Add other colors to accent a room – one blue wall is often a stronger statement than all walls the same color. An antique armoire against a white wall is always beautiful.
If you want your walls a beautiful shade of blue or green, then add white sofas or chairs and colorful printed pillows and a rug. From super bright white to softer, paler shades of white, it’s always fresh. White contrasts well with every color and lets your lighting, objects, art and other furnishings take center stage.
What is your idea of a perfect day where you live?
Kayaking down the Kalamazoo river with my husband, Tim and our dog Scout. Scout swims ahead of us as we paddle among the cattails. There’s plenty to see including turtles, fish, wild animals and birds. Quiet, calming, and free!
What don’t you leave home without?
My Mac, Blackberry and ruler…. except when I’m on the river!
What do you love about your designs?
Their endless versatility. Knowing that my patterns can be individually customized — from wallpaper and pillows to fabric and lighting. Every customer can select a pattern and design it to fit their unique needs — to totally customize each pattern by color and scale is awesome! For an example, my pattern San Miguel would be great as a backsplash in a kitchen or make a wonderful pillow or drum shade.
San Miguel Custom Pillows and 12 Inch Pendant Light in Various Colorways
What is the favorite feature of your home?
Our homes and barns were built in the mid 1800′s. I love the old archways and doors that separate the rooms. There are no hallways, so it has open, modern feeling. In the original barn, the walls have been hand carved by people that have lived and worked here over the years. Their names and the dates are beautifully inscribed on the old plank walls. It evokes a great sense of history and appreciation that time doesn’t stand still.
Where do you see yourself a year from now?
Continuing my interior design business and I’d love to add more product design to the mix.
What famous designer would you love to have drinks with?
Dries Van Noten, a Belgian fashion designer who epitomizes the ubiquitous mix of timelessness and modernity. His inventive and sensual patterns and fabrics are truly inspiring to me.
Thank you Jill! Be sure to check out Jill’s profile here and her website here.
Article by Michelle Salz-Smith ASID
Michelle is a licensed, award-winning Interior Designer enjoying her life in Southern California, but only after her many adventures in the Midwest and then the South. Michelle wears many hats: designer, wifey, blogger, teacher and red wine lover. When she isn't hanging out at Alluminare, she is sharing her musings and celebrating the inspired life on her blog, www.studio-surface.blogspot.com.
has written 26 awesome articles for Alluminare.
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