Boutique Design - December 2016 - 120

GIRL POWER
MatchLine Design Group co-founder
and principal Lesley Hughes Wyman's
well-rounded, all-women team packs
a multidisciplinary punch.
INTERVIEW BY CHRISTINA GREEN

mega firms early on gave Lesley Hughes Wyman the opportunity to work in
different design sectors. "Throughout most of my career, I've held roles at
smaller, yet powerful firms," explains the Dallas interior designer, whose 17
years of experience includes stints with Carolyn Henry & Associates of
Addison, Texas, and Long Beach, California-based HFS Concepts 4.
Learning to wear multiple hats helped Wyman avoid getting niched. "I just
threw myself into everything and learned quickly," she says.
Nearly eight years ago, the Texas State University alumna spun that
can-do attitude into her own business venture, teaming with long-time
friend and fellow designer Tamara Ainsworth to launch MatchLine Design
Group. "We thought, 'Hey, we can do this: Be our own bosses, create great
design without a lot of red tape, work directly with our clients in the style
that we prefer.' So we took the leap," Wyman recalls.
Now the duo leads a team of six women designers to create interior
spaces ranging from hospitality venues to corporate offices and active
adult-living facilities. Wyman's noteworthy projects include The Lodge of
Four Seasons at Lake Ozark in Missouri, the Comanche Red River Hotel
Casino in Oklahoma, the Vivanta by Taj Blue Diamond resort in India, and
more than 15 new-build Embassy Suites by Hilton properties.
DOES HAVING AN ALL-FEMALE TEAM AFFECT YOUR FIRM'S
APPROACH TO DESIGN?

I think it does make for an interesting dynamic-we are very collaborative,
120 boutiquedesign.com

DECEMBER 2016

we share ideas and continue building up from there. That said, having a
talented team is key. We're not an all-women team on purpose and
welcome men to join our efforts if the opportunity is right. We look for
creative individuals, no matter what gender-those who live and breathe
design, are highly client focused and bring a little something different to
our firm.
HOW DO YOU SEE THE INDUSTRY EVOLVING IN TERMS OF INCLUSIVITY
FOR WOMEN?

On many levels, the design industry is already very inclusive, but I do
think it's another game at higher levels within the larger firms, and it
clearly crosses industry lines. Unfortunately, I think this will always exist
to some extent as long as women aren't paid the same as their counterparts and taken as seriously for certain roles.
I remember when I first began my career, I joined NEWH, which was
once only for women and worked diligently to help empower them
through networking. Since then, the organization has expanded to allow
men to join so we can collectively be a strong force in the industry. I've
always been a huge proponent of the organization because we raise
scholarship funds for students coming into the hospitality sector.
In any situation, design is a close-knit community. We all work better
together and no one benefits from exclusivity. Collaboration is how you
get fresh ideas, explore diverse viewpoints and hopefully gain an understanding of others and other groups in the workplace. 

VEK PHOTO

BEING A BIG FISH in a small pond has its advantages. Steering clear of

http://www.boutiquedesign.com

Boutique Design - December 2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Boutique Design - December 2016