Wilfredo Emanuel of “Table Wars” Gives Great Spring Tips for Sprucing Up Your Home and Workspace

Fashion Reverie: What got you first interested in interior design in your home country of Puerto Rico?

Spring is finally here. Well, if you live on the East Coast, it doesn’t feel like it. At any rate, with the return of spring comes some very essential housecleaning, physical and emotional.

Remember, spring is the time of rebirth. It’s time to start anew with a new sense of purpose and creativity. And why not start by redecorating and giving a new identity to your home and workspace.

As most folks are still working from home, Fashion Reverie thought it would be great to speak with interior designer extraordinaire Wilfredo Emanuel. As one of the stars of HGTV’s “Table Wars,” Wilfredo Emanuel shared with Fashion Reverie some of his life experiences and some great tips for revitalizing your home and work-from-home-space for the current spring season.

Wilfredo Emanuel: In Puerto Rico, I was studying architecture. My grandfather was an architecture building bridges and buildings in Puerto Rico. At that time, there were no interior design courses in Puerto Rico. I didn’t even now you could have a career in that field. There was this interior design event at my university, and I attended the event and that was my first exposure to interior design as an occupation.

I learned so much at that event. I hadn’t even considered that after a building or house was constructed that someone designed the interior. I immediately switched my career aspirations to becoming an interior designer and here we are!!

FR: While working on your architectural degree Puerto Rico, you studied abroad in London. Why the study in London and what was your experience there?

Wilfredo Emanuel: I went to London on a summer student exchange program. London was a bit of a culture shock for me. I grew up in the countryside of Puerto Rico because my family owned a few coffee farms. At that time, Puerto Rico didn’t have a whole lot of tall buildings and I had never lived in a big metropolis, so many things were new for me.

London was also my first trip out of Puerto Rico alone. I really enjoyed the experience. While in London, I observed all the incredible architectural styles. I was still an architecture student during my stay in London; however, my summer study there convinced me that I should go into interior design.

FR: You also studied in Italy where you concentrated on classic design.

Wilfredo Emanuel: Correct. I love classic design because in that discipline you learn how to create an ambience and a mood that perfectly fits a particular room. Classic design entails creating an experience for different parts of the home.

There were many stately mansions and homes in Europe and many of these structures would have a great foyer to receive guests, a library, a tearoom, huge dining areas, and other living spaces, maybe even a ballroom. All these spaces reflected how people of great wealth lived and how they entertained. All these spaces had a pattern and were connected to other parts of the house in a particular way. Even the surrounding gardens and landscape reflected those patterns and curves and the interior design had to reflect the patterns and harmonious flow of the homes.

Of course, most people don’t live like that now, even if they have great wealth. But there are ways to incorporate elements of classic design into a home. Modern living centers mostly on relaxation and having casual living spaces. And like fashion, elements of interior design come into style and go out of style.

Some years ago, home theaters were the order of the day and then slowly that expression of modern living went out of style as families wanted to enjoy entertainment outside of the home. Now, home theaters are coming back in vogue due partly to the COVID-19 pandemic. I even have some clients that want to create a clubroom in their home. They feel that it would be a safer more controlled environment to have a clubroom in their home. My clients want more interactive spaces with everyone in the same room.

FR: Now you have been living in the US and working in Naples, Florida for 10 years. Why did you come to the US?

Wilfredo Emanuel: I first came to US on vacation after working as an interior designer in Puerto Rico and opening an interior décor firm in the Dominican Republic. I came to Orlando, Florida to visit Mickey Mouse’s house and while in Orlando I met this incredible woman who worked for Dior. She facilitated me getting a job at Dior, where I worked for about a year. However, I realized I missed interior design.

Because I was now living in the States, I had to get certified in interior design. And once I had my certification I was employed by a firm in Orlando. I have now been in Naples, Florida 10 years with my own interior design firm.

FR: We know that you are on the HGTV show “Table Wars.” How did that come about?

Wilfredo Emanuel: “Table Wars” came about in an interesting way. I always look at the awards shows on TV and all the red-carpet fashion. I received a call about being on “Table Wars” on HGTV. At first, I thought it was a prank call; however, everything turned out to be legitimate.

FR: How did the producers of “Table Wars’ find out about you?

Wilfredo Emanuel:  We create a lot of table landscapes for charity in Naples, Florida. We had created a landscape table for an elite club, Naples Stables. I had created a particularly beautiful table that seated 24 that was inspired by a chess match. Someone from “Table Wars” saw the table and contacted me about being on the show And, it has been an incredible experience.

FR: What is one common mistake consumers make when it comes to interior design?

Wilfredo Emanuel: One of the biggest mistakes that consumers make is trying to decorate their homes themselves. People think hiring an interior designer is expensive or out of their budget range; however, many interior designers are quite affordable and most do-it-yourself home projects end of costing the consumer more money than if they had hired a professional interior designer. Most consumers don’t have the expertise or background knowledge of knowing what color palettes work well or which furniture and fixings work best in the space according to the size of the space.

FR: You have worked with several celebrities. What has been your best celebrity experience?

Wilfredo Emanuel: My best experience is walking on a celebrity red carpet with one of my celebrity clients.  And sitting in the movie theater at the premiere of the film with all those film stars, stars that you idolize. It was a very exciting night. I have to say that many of my celebrity clients have become personal friends.

Can you give consumers some tips on how to brighten their home for work-from-home space for spring 2022?

Wilfredo Emanuel: OK, a few tips. Select a place in your home where you are very comfortable. Remember, you are going to spend a long time sitting and working in that space. This space could be in front of a beautiful window or in front of some favorite wall art. I work with lots of colors every day, so I want my workspace to be in neutral tones. Working around neutral tones increases my creativity.

Because we are in the era of luxury comfort, place comfortable furniture that denotes luxury in your workspace that make your feel special. Since you will be spending 8 hours or more working in that space, it is some important to be comfortable and happy.

FR: Are there any color schemes that are on-trend that consumers should consider?

Wilfredo Emanuel: Rounded furniture or furniture with curves in on trend right now. Boucle fabric is on trend, as well. So rounded furniture in boucle fabrications is very popular. This trend matches the casual, comfortable mood that is being expressed.

We are moving away from sharp lines or minimalistic approaches to design. Very berry is the pantone color that is on trend for spring 2022. This can be paired with gold and silver. For this spring season, remember, your color palette should be soft and reflect luxury and comfort. You should use very monochromatic tone structures for this spring season. In essence, you are seeing these same color palettes on the fashion runways.

FR: What’s next for you?

Wilfredo Emanuel: Hmm, what is not? I am so fortunate to have had the opportunities in my life that has advanced my career. I have an amazing supportive team around me. I am currently working on a coffee table book about my life, my travels, and all the amazing experiences I have had. I also will be branding some products that reflect my lifestyle.

—William S. Gooch

Image credits

• wilfredo-emmanuel-naples-illustrated-01.jpg — Credit/source: Naples Illustrated.
• wilfredo-emanuel-facebook.jpg — Credit/source: Facebook.
• wilfredo-emanuel-gulfshorelife.jpeg — Credit/source: gulfshorelife.com.
• wilfredoemanueldesigns-com-wilfredo-emanuel-of-table-wars-gives-great.jpeg — Credit/source: wilfredoemanueldesigns.com.
• wilfredo-emanuel-feature-naples-illustrated.jpg — Editorial image.