Momo Wong is a Colorado-based designer who has been profiled in Architectural Digest and Elle Decor, among other publications. Her influences are eclectic, and informed by her experiences as a world traveler, and perennial student of global design customs.
Momo Wong sat down recently with Brandon Kosters from Eastern Accents to discuss her work, the importance of travel, and how the Colorado landscape serves as a well of artistic inspiration.
You’re an avid traveler. How does this inform your decisions as an interior designer?
Absolutely. I haven’t travelled as much recently, because I have children now, but we’ve just started traveling internationally again. The things I really gathered from travel is how people live. There are of course different climates and the other conditions which shape people’s lives, but it inspires me to see other people, especially in Europe and Asia, where people are very purposeful in how they use space. I was inspired in Tokyo, Japan where real estate is expensive, so people have to make the most out of limited space. I had a 450 sq ft apartment with my sister, as adults, and we had a cat, and everything else. I really appreciated the sensitivity that Japanese people apply towards the purposefulness of their living. It’s not like the U.S. where you have these sprawling homes – everything had to be paired down. I apply this thinking to my design work. I design ultimately, of course, for what my clients bring to me, but I always want the spaces I design to be a reflection of the clients, and the functionalities that they will need…. Do they have small children? How do they arrive at the home? How do they take off their shoes and bag? This helps eliminate clutter, and allows everything to have its own space. This promotes calm through tidy spaces.
Does the physical environment in Colorado itself inspire you?
Oh, on a daily basis! Right now, it’s all the beautiful colors I see in nature. I live in the urban part of Denver, but on this historic street that has the most stunning trees. It’s so beautiful right now. I’m from Pueblo, Colorado. It’s not like the foothills, but semiarid, and even in that landscape where you see the beautiful sage brush and the local textures – and I see so much beauty in it. I don’t have a design style – I design around the inspiration of my clients. In terms of my more contemporary work, I really try to integrate the beauty of nature in my design – travertine walls that wrap around, wood flooring…. Of course, there is space for materials like quartz and tile, but I always try to find inspiration from nature and the location and make sure it integrates well. We don’t want the spaces to feel detached. In California, for example, there’s a big difference between Sonoma and Marin and Hillsboro.
What projects are you currently working on?
I’m going to California tomorrow. I have a new project that’s a major renovation in Hillsboro south of San Francisco. I’m also working on a cottage and ADU in Lafayette. Both are renovations but I’m also doing a new build for a client who owns their cottage. That’s a 7000 square foot contemporary California home using natural materials. Also doing one house in Vale and another in the suburbs of Denver. The Vale property is a new build and the other one is a full renovation.
Where would you like to see yourself in five years?
If you had asked me that five years ago, I would not have dreamt that I am where I am now. I have really put my head down in the past 7-8 years. I’ve had children, and have had to be particular about the projects I take. I want to connect with people and work on projects that feed my soul one way or the other, whether it’s the collaboration or the aesthetic. I would have never dreamt that I would have been featured in Architectural Digest several times.
I’m a one person shop, and it’s hard for me to keep up with social media. I hope I can keep making a difference. I always tell clients, “construction is like childbirth.” During the process, it’s painful! With new construction, there’s always issues related to changing the place. With existing construction, you always encounter unexpected issues with existing structures, and then have to pivot. I think it’s always how we respond that’s important. Being a one person shop, I don't get to spread things as widely as I'd like. I am not sure if I would want employees again, but I want to find more time to share my process to continue to put my name out. But one project I did in Marin was for my sister, but that project in particular was like working with Kizmit…I got to work with professionals I’ve admired for years. Bob Swat was an architect I worked with on this project, and he was someone I’d admired for 20 years. I get to continue to work with some of my heroes. I’m really excited for the coming years!
Thank you to Momo Wong for sharing her insights on design, travel inspiration, and creating purposeful, client-centered spaces. Find more of her work on her website and instagram.
