Meet Whitney Talsma, founder and lead designer of Oliver James Interiors, a boutique residential design studio in MetroWest Boston. Whitney creates homes that are functional, beautiful, and reflective of her clients' unique lifestyles. With an intuitive approach to design, she incorporates natural elements, antiques, and thoughtfully curated colors and patterns. Below, Whitney shares her inspirations, favorite design trends, and insights into crafting spaces that truly feel like home.
Tell us a little about yourself—how did you get started in design?
I was born and raised in VA right outside Washington D.C. and enjoyed horseback riding, dirt biking, and cheerleading growing up. My parents divorced when I was five but both set of parents were into home buying, building, and decorating so I meant a lot of weekends at showrooms, furniture stores, and open houses. It's funny looking back that I have since made a career out of it despite taking the long road to figuring that out. I got my degree in Marketing & Events Management at George Mason University. My professional careers were in events management, bridal styling, and commercial property management with a passion for interior design always in the background but never realized I could consider it as a career. It took a decade to finally make the leap into interior design after I ran into an old co-worker who started her formal education in interior design and was sharing it with me. I consider this run in serendipitous because just the night before I told me husband at dinner I was finally going to make the move to get certified in interior design so that I could either start working for another interior designer or start my own company. After several long days and months of completing my interior design certification from NYIAD during Covid and while pregnant with my second child, I started applying for jobs with other interior designers. I had a few interviews but with a lack of experience I wasn't getting noticed. I had this strong gut feeling I needed to start my own business instead. So I did, three months after having my daughter. Now just over three years later I'm so glad I did! I might have my guardian angels to thank.
Do you have a signature design element or style that defines your work?
Our signature aesthetic is timeless, fresh, often whimsical, inspired by nature, quietly sophisticated, and above all else, where functionality and beauty meet in the middle. We are especially passionate about blending antique and vintage treasures with fresh, modern pieces—creating interiors that feel storied, soulful, and truly one-of-a-kind. This thoughtful layering of old and new allows us to honor timeless craftsmanship while keeping every space relevant, dynamic, and fresh. Also, you'll almost always find a floral and/or a scalloped edge element in our designs.
Was there a specific project that shaped your approach to design?
My Tall Oaks Sherborn project was a huge learning experience in so many facets. The client loved to push boundaries, had a wonderful collection of art and antiques I learned how to work into the designs which I now take with me to new projects. Also the relationships, organization skills, and how to run a business was a big area of growth.
What’s one thing you wish more people understood about working with an interior designer?
We want to learn about a clients lifestyle, what inspires them, how they live, and respect the aspect of functionality just as much as creating beautiful spaces. We are hired to create one-of-a-kind spaces for that client, and are not trying to push our own style and preferences with no regard for the client. There is a lot of care and effort that goes into those beginning stages of getting to know a client so the designs are tailored to their interests and how they want to live.
What’s your favorite design trend this year, and how are you bringing it into your projects?
It's not a brand new trend but love the continuation of incorporating antiques and vintage items into designs and mixing in new pieces. Cottage, country estate, and Scandinavian inspired pieces and elements like floral prints, stripes, ruffles, linens, hand thrown or painted pottery and furniture and warm woods often find ways into my designs nowadays.
Where do you find the most inspiration—travel, nature, fashion, or something else?
I know it sounds cliche but travel and nature are big sources of inspiration. My grandparents are from Argentina, South Korea, England, and beyond so naturally I love to travel and am curious about different cultures, geography, food, plants and animals that are native to those areas, and the color palettes, textures, and patterns found all over the world. And I am most at peace in nature whether it's in my gardens, on the ocean, or hiking in the woods, for example. As far as color palettes go, you can never go wrong with what you naturally find in nature. Lastly, social media nowadays allows us to connect with so many other talented designers and people around the world and there are so many tidbits of inspiration to be found in other's work.
If you were designing your dream bathroom from scratch, what’s the first thing you’d choose?
The vanity-duh! Or perhaps a beautiful soaking tub...
If you could use just one wallpaper in a bathroom, which would it be and why?
Ahh this is like having to choose a favorite child! I love anything Soane but their new Linnaeus Wallpaper is so dreamy. It has that refined cottage charm, florals (my favorite), and the scale and colorways are perfect. It's so charming and whimsical.
What’s your favorite Vanity & Co. style and how would you customize it for your client?
I'm a sucker for anything that incorporates a pleated fabric or skirt so maybe the Anna with a fun fabric and maybe even paint it a coordinating color in the fabric/wallpaper. However, if I'm going for a touch of masculinity then definitely the Katherine.
