With roots on the western shore of Lake Michigan, and thousands of sea miles left in her wake, Susan Winchester is a child of the water–as natural, fresh and inspiring as the seas that surround us. Her love of bays and byways permeate all of Susan’s designs, and as creative director and founder of SWD Style and WaterHaus Designs, she combines her passionate eye for design with her love of the natural environment. Whether it’s creating lux but livable products for home or yacht, chalet or villa, Susan’s designs not only express that natural core–they’re built to perform. Indoors or Out. At every level.

“Our homes express who we are, and our space informs how we relate to one another,” Susan says.“ I’m passionate about helping clients and their families find true comfort with their surroundings. The space we inhabit and our choice of furnishings has a lot to do with finding, and nurturing, that human element.”

A big part of Susan’s approach involves tapping the power of textiles to make important design statements. A Member of ASID, with a bachelor’s degree in Textile Design, Susan relies on years of experience with materials and construction to create beautiful, functional, unified spaces that are harmonious, sustainable and utterly livable. “The feeling I strive for is soothing and peaceful, but with an unmistakable air of visual refinement. It has to be livable, not challenging or ponderous. Balance, appropriate scale, and proportion are very much a part of that crucial blend.”