By Rita S. Wilkins, President of Design Services, Ltd.
My passion for travel came at an early age when, as a child living in Germany, our “weekend trips” were to neighboring European countries where I was introduced to age-old cultures and people that I had never seen or experienced before.

Yet with the influence of this early travel and years of subsequent journeys around the world, it was my most recent trip to visit my son, who is serving with the Peace Corps in Senegal, that has had the most profound impact.

Perhaps some of that had to do with the impact the recession in our country has had on me both professionally and personally.  Perhaps today’s economy has created a deeper sense to get back to basics, to reevaluate and simplify our complex lives by embracing what is most important and letting go of the rest. It has given clarity to: “Less is the new more.”

There is something deeply satisfying about exploring one of the world’s oldest cultures and discovering the beauty and simple joy of these Senegalese villagers who have so little but are so happy. We have so much to learn from them.

As a designer, much of my education and inspiration has come through travel, seeing through the eyes of the people, and experiencing the way they live. By going beyond what is comfortable and familiar, my eyes are opened in ways in which I can integrate and reinterpret what I have seen in my designs.

So, it was after a 24 hour trek from Dakar that we arrived in this tiny tribal village over 7800 miles away where the primitive huts peaked above the tall cornstalks, contrasted by the deep blue sky, where there is no running water, plumbing, or electricity. We were welcomed with open arms from villagers who came running from their huts. They had even swept the paths clean in anticipation of our visit. As we sat in a circle on the ground for dinner, around 1 chicken that served 10 people, I realized that the more I travel, the more I realize we are all here to learn and be inspired by one another.

I have returned from Senegal refreshed and renewed knowing that my travel experience will influence and inspire my passion for design.

Testimonials:
“Rita Wilkins has exceptional design capability in regard to both appearance, functionality, and attention to detail. All of our projects with Design Services were completed on time and within budget. Design Services, Ltd. is highly recommended for their high quality design and for their ability to take on the responsibility for project management from concept to completion, so that the finished product comes out exactly as designed.”     ~ Dental Associates of Delaware

“Design Services was extraordinary in their detail and expression of how we could take our office to the next level in function, design, and comfort for our patients. Ms. Wilkins provided us with several beautiful designs which gave us a clear vision of what we wanted this project to accomplish. Ms. Wilkins took much of the stress away from me, due to her clear understanding of the look we were hoping to achieve.”     ~ Peter F. Subach, DMD

Rita Wilkins, President - Rita is the President of Design Services, Ltd., as well as principal designer and project manager. With over 35 years of experience in design and management, her approach to design is both aesthetic and business-like. She is known to be a highly effective “hands-on” designer with extensive knowledge and expertise in dental, medical, and commercial interiors.  She is a graduate of University of Rhode Island, attended Rhode Island School of Design and University of North Carolina. Having received numerous design awards, she has been published in a variety of national publications and is currently writing a book on using design as a business strategy.

Design Services, Ltd.
1403 Silverside Professional Park, Wilmington, DE 19810
302-475-5663   •   www.dsltdonline.com

Interior design questions? Please email Rita at
rwilkins@dsltdonline.com