We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley McClure and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
I once worked with an ad agency in designing a new space for their creative studio, and their tagline was “Unthink Everything.” To me, that does a really good job of encouraging me not to accept things at face value, or to just do things the way I’ve always done it. The process of unthinking means that I’m unraveling the preconcieved notions behind a design need or desire, and getting to the heart of the issue. This means asking a lot of questions, looking at many design iterations, testing design solutions, etc. How that plays our for each of my clients varies, and I’m still working on defining a set process (lthough… I suppose that if I did have a set process, I’d eventually have to unthink that as well). This doesn’t make for the most efficient design process, but I think helps me get to the root of the problem and have a better chance of tailoring a design to help solve it.

 

What should our readers know about your business?
After 20 years of experience designing residences, restaurants, and workplace interiors, I jumped at the opportunity to create my own business focused on places where people gather. Especially after the pandemic, I think that places like this are being realized as a critical component of how we build connections, influence positive change, and build social equity. Whether these opportunities present themselves on a front porch or a coffee shop, spaces that encourage togetherness is a key component in what I want to create at Studio Wythe. In fact, it’s built into the name: a wythe is a thickness of brick; multiple layers bonded together bringing strength and stability to solid construction. It’s the same with our community: these kinds of gathering spaces provide a much needed opportunity to bring people together as a force for positive change.

Two years in, I can defintely say that while the process of starting a new business is not easy, having a community of support is invaluable! I look forward to continuing to grow my network of designers, organization leaders, artisans, and builders as we support each other and help co-create an ecosystem of design in Atlanta. Our city is in a critical phase of growth right now and it’s up to all of us to make sure we’re implementing the best design solutions to not only meet today’s needs, but also have an eye for the future of our city and region.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As a good Decaturite, I have to stay “inDiE-CATUR” to start: Brick Store is a staple of Downtown (and funny enough was what introduced Decatur to us while we were living in Boston) and their upstairs bar is a great spot to enjoy a nice belgian beer. Of course, I’d also make sure and introduce them to other cuisine options in town from Kimball House to Revolution Doughnuts, and I wouldn’t leave out our favorite local neighborhood bar, Steinbeck’s. After all of that food and drink, we’d probably need to get outside, and Atlanta has some great opportunities for that: Arabia Mountain is a favorite spot to take my family and dog – similar to Stone Mountain, but without the crowds and baggage. Of course we’d hit up the Beltline, maybe avoiding the crowds by going to Lee+White, but also maybe we’d just give in and watch and join the masses of people weaving through scooters and bikes and performers and runners of the Eastside trail.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people that have given support to me and my family over the years. I’m very priveledge to have the love and support of great people in my background, and I’m overwhlemed with gratitude with I think of all the people who have had a hand in my success. Most recently, I’m thankful for people who have taken a chance on hiring a my relatively new firm to work on their personal and critical projects: like the Gohde family in Decatur who hired me to design their brand new ground-up house which just finished in January. People like Maria at Revolution Doughnuts, who trusted me to create a design for her community-driven doughnut shop. And Gene Kansas, a cultural developer who hired me to help bring together various design and construction aspects at two of his current projects. And of course, for my wife, Amy, without whose support and encouragement I would not have been able to start or continue this venture.

Website: www.studiowythe.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studiowythe/

Image Credits
Ben Farnham (photographer of front porch photo and interior stair photo)

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