Meet David Smith and Phill Wilson!  David and Phill have recently joined forces to create Smith-Wilson, LLC, specializing in residential interior design.  Both longtime Gainesvillians have interior design backgrounds and are excited to team up together.
David was formerly executive director of Center Point in Gainesville and Phill has been an interior designer for approximately 20 years. David shared that he loves Hall County because of the generosity of the people.  “I find the culture here very different from any other place that I’ve lived. Never have I seen a more benevolent group of people in my life. It’s just amazing the amount of giving to and the concern for the community, I think it is unique.”  Both Phill and David are true examples of community leaders and good neighbors in their community. Abernathy Cochran Realtor Regina Cochran said, “Phill is the funniest man I have ever known and the most loyal friend you can find.”
We want to thank Phill and David for spending time with us recently telling us more about their life and love of Hall County.
Question: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
Answer: (Phill) “My interest in interior design started early in life. My grandfather was a builder so my fascination with building began when I was very young. I think my mother greatly instilled in me, taste and pride in one’s surroundings. Being of the generation from which I came, males didn’t think about going into interior design. I was discouraged by family, I was discouraged by guidance counselors, so I was actually in my 30s before I began my education in interior design, which I had to extend over some years before completion of my design education. I have had a lifelong fascination, a love affair so to speak, with interior design. I love design history and how those elements affect and influence current design trends.”
(David) “I grew up in a culture that was secure and inviting.  My family home was comfortable, and friends and family were drawn there for fellowship.   I encourage people to achieve a sense of wholeness and to seek a stable and peaceful environment. This has been a part of my profession whether it be through pastoral care, youth leadership, counseling or mentoring. And now this new adventure merely broadens where and who I can help. I have a very good concept of space and color. Therefore, I am going to mesh these two talents in our new business.  The business will help individuals and groups to utilize their spaces (home or office) more efficiently and comfortably.
Q: How long have you lived and worked in Hall County?
A: (P) “I’ve lived in Hall County now over 38 years, having relocated to Gainesville from Asheville, NC.”
(D) “I’ve been here 30 years.”
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about Hall County?
A: (D) “The diversity of people.”
(P) “Among my favorite things about Hall County is being close to a major city and airport in addition to the proximity to beautiful mountain and coastal destinations. Our beautiful surroundings and the growing diversity of people in our area make a wonderful place to live and work.
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Hall County?
A: (P) “Rudolph’s was always a favorite restaurant of mine. It was one of the first things that I remember when I came to Gainesville, and for me, Green Street where Rudolph’s was located epitomizes the history and beauty of Gainesville.  Over the past decade or so, the number of wonderful eating establishments have greatly increased, offering greater exposure to different fare.”
(D) “It would be difficult for me to say I have one favorite because it depends on the occasion.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: (D) “I have two places.  I want to go to Italy and stay for several months and immerse myself in the country. I want to truly experience the people and the culture and not just “see” Italy.  Also, I want to explore the British Isles because my family heritage traces back to William the Conqueror.  So, I would like to go and see if anything resonates with me.
(P) “My number one place Havana, Cuba. I have been fascinated with Cuba and the Cuban culture since I was 6 years old, some of my family’s friends having left to escape Castro’s government. The architecture, the food, the culture, the music, everything about it fascinates me, and I understand that even in its current state of decay, the architecture is just incredible. My other favorite place is old news to me because it’s like home is New York City.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: (D) “I like the whole adventure of life. I enjoy living.  Relationships are important.  Expanding my community is exciting.  I’m not as much about a bucket list as I am more about being present and enjoying each moment.”
(P) “One of the major experiences in my bucket list is to build my dream house within the next several years, and oddly, that home is an adaptation of mid-century modern. I am totally fascinated with that era of architecture and design and I’d like to do that and adapt it to current needs and current trends. Additionally, I would like to be able to give back to the community, specifically through my church in an effort to return some of what’s been given to me over the years and what growth I’ve achieved through that exposure.”
Q: What’s your favorite type of music?
A: (P) “I hope that the playlist from my iPhone never gets in the hands of a psychologist because I can go from Ludacris to Hank Williams Jr. to Henry Mancini and just about every artist in between, from one song to another. I love music from almost every genre imaginable. It’s been a long-standing joke among my friends and family that I have the most boring taste in music anybody has ever seen, but I think David might challenge that, having been surprised a few times, asking what on earth am I listening to!”
(D) “I like a wide spectrum of music. I enjoy the Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday era but I can also appreciate Mozart and Beethoven. But don’t ever let it be said I can’t enjoy a Rolling Stone concert.
Q: (Even your friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: (P) “Mine would be having desired to become an Episcopal priest. I think that’s the biggest surprise for most people. I think that the one thing that a lot of people don’t know about me is my love of music. I have a great passion for and can literally be moved to emotions by music. The one thing I often imagine and laugh about, especially with my diverse interesting music is having a soundtrack to our lives. I think mine would be again anything from bluegrass to Edith Piaf and numerous other genres of music, just depending on my many moods and interests.”
(D) “I would say the average person would not know how much I love riding roller coasters.  I hope when I’m 100 years old I can still crawl on it and enjoy it. I love it.”
Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?
A: (P) “Always try to be aware that you’re being observed by other people and put forth your best effort to maintain your dignity.  I think it’s always important how we present ourselves whether it be in public or in more intimate situations. I strongly feel that how we present ourselves can be a great and often positive influence on others. This trait is one I brought from my typical southern upbringing.  Also, respecting differences of opinions of those with whom we interact is a trait I like to be aware of.  I try to respect and be open to the opinions of others (especially during the political arena of our current time) and find that even though being open-minded (and respectful) doesn’t necessarily change my own opinion, I view it as an opportunity to learn and to dig deeper and perhaps provide a good foundation for my own beliefs.”
(D) “I would tell adults and young people alike that you are worthy. Each one of you were created with  unique gifts and you are worthy of a life full of love and goodness.
Q: What three words or phrases that come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
A: (P) “Reflection of one’s personality; Indication of one’s lifestyle or that of their family,  and surrounding ourselves with things we love and that are of meaning to you.”
(D) “Home is a place where you feel comfort and accepted. You should feel everything that’s positive and right. That’s home. It a welcoming place.”