The Designer’s Journal: Ghislaine Viñas on Spaces That Spark Joy

For Ghislaine Viñas, design is about more than just beautiful interiors, it’s about creating spaces that feel alive, layered, and full of personality. With a style that’s vibrant, joyful, and endlessly curious, Ghislaine finds inspiration in everything from city streets and hidden curiosities to contemporary art and unexpected color combinations.

“My approach is all about bringing life and energy into a space,” she says. “I love mixing the unexpected with thoughtful design to create rooms that feel personal, playful, and purposeful.”

We caught up with Ghislaine to explore her design philosophy, the rules she loves to bend, and the one Schoolhouse piece she reaches for again and again to bring warmth and character to every project.

Can you describe your design style in three words?

Alive, vibrant, and joyful.

Where do you draw your design inspiration from?

My inspiration comes from my everyday life. My eyes are always open, taking in unexpected color combinations from nature or in the city. I love strolling through SoHo and noticing interesting shop windows, or discovering curiosities tucked away in dusty back rooms. I’m endlessly inspired by contemporary art and make it a point to visit as many galleries as possible, especially when I travel.

What design “rule” do you always follow, and which was made to be broken?

A rule I always follow is keeping proportion and scale in mind with every room I design. You can mix scale as long as it’s done intentionally. Having furniture in a room that is not proportionate is painful to me.

The rule that I think is meant to be broken is the idea that design must follow rules at all. Rules create dull, lifeless interiors. I thrive on what I call “design off-roading,” bringing in the unexpected, unusual elements that make a room feel alive.

What are you working on right now?

We have a team of ten women in the studio and are lucky to be working with incredible clients on exciting projects. After running my firm for over 25 years, I feel that we attract clients who are ready to push the envelope while staying true to a strong sense of modernism.

Currently, we have about 10 projects in various stages of development across the country and I have to say our clients truly allow us to play with design. One that’s particularly special is a house renovation in Germantown, right on the Hudson River. This grand home has incredible history: it was Eleanor Roosevelt’s childhood home, where she lived with grandparents after her parents passed away. We’re designing this house for a client I’ve worked with for over two decades, and who has become a very close friend (we finish each other’s sentences at this point)!

For a beach home in Kiawah Island, SC we’re exploring the history and embracing southern charm. It’s been fun learning about traditional southern furniture and incorporating elements of this style into a core contemporary design approach. Creating narratives and hybrids of styles is central to our design philosophy because it ensures each interior has a unique, bespoke character. We’re also renovating and designing the interiors for a stunning home in Pittsburgh with a client whose taste aligns perfectly with our love for quirkiness. In Ohio, we’re working with a kind, creative client on a new home, which has been a joy. In NYC, we’re working on several apartments, and one of these clients recently moved to Louisville, KY so we’re helping them renovate a historic home there. I love that our projects span across the US and each offer something distinct and exciting.

On a more personal note, I’m also working on the most exciting project of all: my own home in the Hudson Valley. A few years ago, my husband and I purchased a 43-acre property and renovated the existing house, which will serve as a guest cottage. Now, we’re creating our 2,300sqft home in Tivoli, partnering with Young Projects, a phenomenal architecture firm out of Brooklyn, and we’ll be breaking ground soon. It’s so very exciting to be able to design my own dream home from the ground up.

What is your favorite color?

I don’t have a favorite color, all colors are created equal. It’s not about the individual color, but how you use and combine hues that creates the magic.

Can you share your favorite Schoolhouse product?

It’s hard for me to choose just one favorite. From the very first time I flipped through a Schoolhouse catalogue years ago I was smitten. I love how the pieces are nostalgic yet unfussy, with a palette that embraces both bold primary and soft, muted hues. But, if i must pick a favorite, I’d say the Stillwater Floral Quilt. I love how its different colorways shift its personality. It can feel Nordic and cozy, or graphic and edgy.