heimat collective

Maile Wilson’s lifelong connection to design began in her father’s workshop in Hawaii. A chemist turned woodworker, he built their first home from the ground up — a space that became both a playground and a classroom for Maile. Surrounded by sawdust, hand tools, and the quiet discipline of craftsmanship, she developed an early appreciation for the beauty of things made by hand.

Creativity and material exploration run deep in Maile’s story. Her grandfather was a chemist and innovator credited with helping invent Trevira®, a pioneering synthetic fiber that reshaped the textile industry. Science and artistry were never separate worlds in her family — they were simply two ways of understanding how things are made.

What began as a childhood dream of running a flower shop gradually evolved into a lifelong devotion to interiors — to the tactile language of textiles, furniture, form, and finish.

Maile began her career in retail at Jonathan Adler, where she was first immersed in the world of interior design. During this time, she also worked part-time for an interior designer, gaining early hands-on experience within the design process. She later transitioned into sales at Holly Hunt, where she developed a deep understanding of materials, craftsmanship, and the relationships that drive exceptional design.

Over the years, Maile held key roles at Thomas Lavin, Donghia, Design Alliance LA and most recently A. Rudin — representing leading residential and hospitality brands while collaborating closely with designers to bring their visions to life.

Today, through heimat collective, Maile curates art, furniture, textiles, and wallcoverings with a generational respect for craftsmanship and innovation. For Maile, design isn’t simply about aesthetics — it’s about legacy, craftsmanship, and creating spaces that feel deeply personal, layered, and lived in.