Camille Hellwig’s passion for design began at an early age. Growing up in the South with a mother in the antiques business and a father with an extensive art collection, she thrived in an environment where fine furnishings and beautiful art were celebrated. Her happiest childhood memories include the frequent rearranging of her room and playhouse.
An honors graduate with a business degree from the University of Mississippi, Camille worked in design-related sales positions before returning to her “first love.” Enrolling in the Associates program at the New York School of Interior Design (NYSID), she was determined to learn from the best in the field. In addition to managing her rigorous NYSID schedule, she sought work as an intern with local design firms to gain real-world experience in New York’s competitive and demanding marketplace.
Camille’s career received a significant boost when Miles Redd, LLC, selected her as a design intern. Miles Redd, now known as Redd Kaihoi, is one of the industry’s A-list firms, and her time spent in this fast paced environment was invaluable. Subsequently, she worked as a design manager for Brockschmidt & Coleman, LLC, where she led projects, sourced materials, and nurtured relationships with vendors and high-profile clients. She gained an unwavering commitment to detail, which is essential to the success of any design project.
Today, she is at ease curating homes that seamlessly blend classic and contemporary elements. Her designs are a testament to the power of contrast, offering warmth and comfort while creating spaces with dynamic impact. Clean line furnishings, bold color palettes, eclectic artwork, and boastful fabrics are her signature style. She has a penchant for color and prides herself on vibrant projects that range from moody jewel-tone entryways to soft, icy-colored bedrooms and even whimsical children’s playrooms. Launched in 2012, Camille Hellwig Interiors’ client base spans across the Southeast, New York City and Long Island.
We are delighted to welcome Camille to The Glam Pad for a Style Profile Q&A! Welcome, Camille!
Q: When did you decide to pursue a career in interior design?
A: Growing up in a home steeped in artwork and filled with antiques, I’ve always had an appreciation for a beautifully decorated home.
As a young girl, I would rearrange and “style” rooms and I wouldn’t stop until the room felt right. Prior to my design career, I pursued a number of marketing positions that worked well with my business degree, but they didn’t satisfy my craving for interior design. Exploring home décor shops, enrolling in drawing and color theory classes and arranging coffee meetings with established designers were a few ways I started to explore the design world. On weekends, I would pour into design magazines for hours, organize tear sheets and create inspiration boards on Pinterest and Instagram.
Finally, I decided to apply to the New York School of Interior design and was thrilled when I was accepted into the program. Without hesitation or much planning, I packed my belongings. The first six months were a huge change for me. I went from being an independent working woman in a southern city to a student in a fast paced city that kept me on edge. Suddenly, I was carrying drafting tubes and large supplies on the subway to the NYSID atelier on the Upper East Side working late hours and grinding out art projects and drawings. A labor of love! Attending NYSID events and speaking engagements were also great ways to connect with others in the design community. I’m grateful for the close contacts I made in design school; they are my dear friends to this day.
Q: How would you describe your design aesthetic?
A: In my home I offer a fresh and colorful approach to classic interiors with an emphasis on artwork and a variety of paint colors. I have a few clean line antiques that work really well with contemporary pieces. They ground the space and give it prominence. Location and architecture along with the clients’ existing décor and collections play into the design plan as well.
Q: Where do you find inspiration, and what other designers – past or present – do you admire?
A: There are too many talented designers to mention who have inspired me. One of my favorites is Alex Wilson who seamlessly blends beautiful antiques with colorful walls, bold geometric rugs, and a mix of unique textiles to create a vibrant look that feels fresh, collected and comfortable. Miles Redd, Palmer Weiss, Kerri Pilchik, Corey Damen Jenkins, Matthew Carter, Summer Thornton, Williams Lawrence and Ariel Okin are some of my favorites and that’s barely scratching the surface!
I also recently came upon an article featuring Anna Brockaway’s Upper East Side apartment by Elizabeth Cooper Interiors. I’m drawn in by her color choices and all furniture and fabric selections. Shall I continue…
I also draw inspiration from fashion, resorts and restaurants. Even a blouse on a mannequin can spark inspiration for a color scheme!
Q: What are some of the most important lessons you learned while working with Miles Redd and Brockschmidt & Coleman?
A: As the trite saying goes, teamwork makes the dreamwork and communication is key here. The most successful component of the design process is not only the project team but the skillful artisans involved – from the drapery and upholstery workrooms to the decorative painters.
Also, it is crucial to have site visits prior to and throughout the design process. This was not always the case for me as a junior designer jumping in. Many of the projects I was assigned were out of state and I was working off of photos and facetime calls. I now realize the importance of face-to-face interaction with clients and seeing the space in real time. It’s important to have a visual especially when it comes to scale.
Q: What are some of your favorite elements to include in your designs? Such as favorite wallpapers, paints, linens, antiques, art, etc?
A: Typically, I start with artwork or a rug when it comes to a jumping off point in a room then I begin to think about paint colors. Other times, I will begin with fabrics or wallpapers if the client doesn’t have significant artwork preferences. In my opinion, mood begins with color, textures and lighting. It’s important to really understand how the client wants to feel in these spaces. I also love to play with shapes and scale when it comes to lighting or accessories. An element of whimsy adds a touch of fun to a room!
Q: Which historic era or decade inspires you most and why?
A: For architecture, it’s Federal or Georgian style for me. The lovely, former estate of Gil Schafer in upstate New York comes to mind. As for furniture, if I had to choose a historical style, it would be Neoclassical or Louis the XVI. Clean lined (and well-polished) antiques not only transition well into contemporary spaces but are a nod to history while adding paramount elegance. While my style is more classic contemporary, I also love an occasional French Provencial secretary thrown in the mix.
Q: Do you have any interesting collections, and how do you display them?
A: Collections – yes! Collecting art is my forte. My home is filled with colorful oil and acrylic paintings that tell a story of my background and travels from Mississippi, New Orleans, Charleston and New York all the way to France. One notable moment in my career was bidding in French with a gallery in Leon. Needless to say, I ended up with three wonderful pieces by a French artist from the 1920’s. C’est bon!
Q: When you aren’t busy decorating, how do you enjoy spending your time?
A: As far as travel goes, the warmer destinations appeal to me. This summer we are heading to Mallorca and Puglia and I cannot wait to see the architectural styles there. I will be sure to share some of my photos and inspiration on Instagram along the way!
Spending time outdoors with my family is one of my favorite joys in life. We are moving down South this summer and I am looking forward to having a backyard and grilling out with friends and family al fresco! I am also looking forward to enjoying a neighborhood, watching my kids ride bikes, visiting farmers markets and spending more time with my extended family since they will be much closer now.
Q: What exciting projects are you currently working on, and where do you see your firm in the next five years?
A: I am exploring a few new opportunities along with my own home! We have been in NYC over 15 years and we are buying our first home down South. Now that we will have more space, I will have the opportunity to expand on what I have built. In our own home, entertaining is one way I love to connect with friends and clients.
As for the next five years, I look forward to taking on more design projects and also refining my business model. We will cross that bridge as it nears!
Q: Anything else you would like to add?
A: One of my greatest strengths is the ability to build and layer color schemes. Planning color schemes that are complimentary to adjacent rooms not only provides congruency throughout the home but flexibility when interchanging furniture. It’s fun to discover new ways to enjoy and restyle existing furniture and accessories while keeping an eye out for the next unique addition.
Thank you, Camille, for joining us today! To learn more, please visit Camille Hellwig Interiors and follow @camillehellwiginteriors on Instagram for ongoing inspiration.
Styling and Photography Credits:
Kimberly Power
Hayley Day
Lucy Bamman
Kirsten Francis
Mariana Martinis
More highlight moments included panels exploring textiles, global fashion and design, and Nantucket’s design heritage with some of the industry’s top talent. Intimate gathering included this harbor-side private dinner hosted by NHA Board Member, Connie Anne Harris. Other notable offerings included hands-on workshops celebrating historic crafts at the NHA’s property, Greater Light, in partnership with Alpha Kilo.
And then there was Martha Stewart with her bestselling 
