By Gabbie Burton 
Contributing Writer 

Kate FitzGerald-Wilks knows that life gets busy. In the blur of work, family and every other pressure of modern life, some things get left behind – including the home. 

That’s why she started her interior design and build firm, Timeless Design by Kate FitzGerald- Wilks, in order to ease the burden of creating a functional and beautiful home for their clients. By taking on the many layers of detail involved in interior design, home renovations and new- builds, Timeless Design ensures their clients have a home that is made just for them. 

While Timeless Design began taking on projects in 2004 when FitzGerald-Wilks and her family relocated to Landenberg, she originally began her career in Washington D.C., working for the United States Department of Commerce. She explained that her step back from her career after having her three children didn’t last long as she felt she was “destined to be a working woman.” 

The working woman is who she now sees her ideal client to be. 

“I understood by being a working mother how little time you have and what you want to do with your time when you get out of work, and that is to have quality time with your family,” she said. “It leaves very little time for the luxury of decorating and organizing a home so it can become a haven for a working couple and their children.” 

Acknowledging the value of time is important to FitzGerald-Wilks and her clients. With their streamlined processes, Timeless Design can cover all the details from a custom build to furnishing residential and commercial projects depending on their needs. They also offer concierge services such as scheduling, monitoring crews, and curating products. Timeless Design’s clients quickly understand that working with their firm transcends mere aesthetics. 

Organization, functionality and comfort are also elements Timeless Design focuses on. 

“We can really get in there and help them develop a system that is easy to keep and good looking,” FitzGerald-Wilks said. “Drawing from over 20 years of experience, I have learned tricks that make life easier and more beautiful when it comes to raising children, having dogs and entertaining guests.”

‘It’s your sanctuary’

Whether it’s choosing fabrics that are compatible with pets or consulting with builders to ensure efficient layouts, FitzGerald-Wilks understands her client’s needs and advocates for them throughout the project. When asked what makes a well-designed home she replied, “You should celebrate who you are and there’s no better place to do that than in your home,” she said. “When things mean something to you – it’s your sanctuary – it can add such richness to your life.” 

FitzGerald-Wilks has seen this impact firsthand over her career. One family she worked with wanted to do something special for their widower father to make sure he felt welcome every time he visited. 

“We were able to make an office for her husband to work from home, but also added a Murphy bed for the father, so he could have a queen size bed that would pull down with built-in closets on both sides, a comfy chair and his TV, and it turned into the most beautiful room,” FitzGerald- Wilks said. “The client recorded her father’s reaction when he saw it for the first time, and he walked in, and he almost cried. It really meant a lot to us because it meant a lot to him.” 

FitzGerald-Wilks and her team all understand the amount of effort and impact interior design has on homes and people. Timeless Design prides itself on getting the job done right with a network of highly skilled trades. FitzGerald-Wilks shares mutual respect with construction crews and contractors alike. 

“We hold our own,” FitzGerald-Wilks said. “You must have it together when you show up on-site. That means having construction documentation and detailed specs on all aspects of the project.” 

With over 20 years in the industry, she knows her stuff. The firm offers its own branded line of Timeless Design custom cabinetry and Timeless Design custom reclaimed wood tables. FitzGerald-Wilks credits her team-based processes to ensure the firm’s continued success. 

A new location in nearby Hockessin coming soon

So, what’s next? Timeless Design by FitzGerald-Wilks is focusing on expansion with a new location in Hockessin, Delaware opening to the public in the near future. 

“It will be a place where we can showcase many of our custom products such as our custom reclaimed wood dining tables and cabinetry, window treatments, and millwork,” FitzGerald- Wilks said. “We’re very, very excited to have people come and look at our kitchens and talk to us about our processes.” 

Timeless Design Interior Design Studio, Renovations, and Home Decor will be a “one-stop- shop” featuring everything they have to offer from wallpapers and flooring to kitchen and bath finishes, and will offer retail sales, providing an upscale alternative to larger box stores. Timeless Design also began offering financing on projects in order to expand their accessibility to the community. 

“We’re very committed to doing what we can in this area and think we’re in the right place at the right time,” FitzGerald-Wilks said. “There is a sea of 20-30-year-old homes in our area ready for a major refresh. You might even be sitting in one of these homes yourself!” 

To learn more about Timeless Design by Kate FitzGerald-Wilks, visit www.timelessbykate.com.