Meet Skye, Our SVP of Merchandising & Design

Every ship needs a captain, and when it comes to Ballard’s product vision, Skye Kirby Westcott, our Senior VP of Merchandising and Design, guides the ship. Armed with an interior design background and an impressive tenure in the furniture industry, Skye travels the world, searching out the latest trends to bring home to us, so we can bring them home to you.

Meet Skye and learn more about her in our Q&A below.

BD: Where are you from, Skye?

Skye: Annapolis, Maryland.

BD: Where did work before joining Ballard?

Skye: I was on the team that created the first Anthropologie store, and was also on the team that built and rolled out IKEA in the US. After that, I spent many happy years working in New York at ABC Carpet & Home and Lillian August sharpening my product and interior design skills.

BD: What made you go into design?

Skye: I started out in theater, and fell in love with the way you can tell a story through set design. It gave me a new appreciation for interiors and a desire to design homes.

BD: What do you love most about being a designer?

Skye: I love the client. I’m not a designer with one defined look. I’m a designer who loves to understand the client, their family and how they live. And then I build a world that works for them. 

BD: What do you love most about working at Ballard Designs?

Skye: Now I have thousands of clients that I can imagine a new home for, build products for, and design assortments that make their lives better and more beautiful.

BD: What inspires you for product design?

Skye: Traveling the world. I’m on the road a lot – I’m a diamond medallion status traveler! Everything everywhere inspires me, from hotels, restaurants and shops, to paint colors and fabrics. Even movies – I just saw “Little Women” and the sets blew me away. The smallest thing can trigger an idea.

BD: Where have you traveled with Ballard Designs?

Skye: The real question is where haven’t I traveled with Ballard? I’ve been all over Europe – Scandinavia, Italy, France, the Netherlands, China, India, the Philippines, Vietnam, Mexico, and throughout the United States.

BD: What is your favorite place to go?

Skye: Scandinavia. I’m actually Swedish and speak the language. Last year, I had an amazing trip there with my two sisters and mother that was literally life-changing.

BD: What trends are you seeing on the horizon?

Skye: Well, as luck would have it, I’m seeing a lot of Scandinavian design out there – both Gustavian and contemporary. I’m also seeing a lot of layering textures like plaids and velvets. 

BD: Which decorating projects are you working on for your home?

Skye: I just finished up a remodel of a little laundry nook, as well as my guest bathroom. They both turned out amazing.

BD: What’s your favorite place in your home?

Skye: My library. It’s just two chairs, a little fireplace, and tons and tons of books. When I’m in there, I couldn’t be happier.

BD: Do you have any objects you’re particularly attached to?

Skye: Honestly, every single thing in my house means something special to me. I don’t want to have anything around me that I’m not in love with.

Thank you to Skye for sitting down with us!

Shop our latest collection, or find your own favorite pieces at BallardDesigns.com. To stay up to date with all things How to Decorate, sign up for our monthly newsletter.