Designer Profile: Chad Martin

Chad Martin
Whitewall & Co.
Birmingham, Alabama

Chad Martin is a designer who runs a small branding firm, aids a local architecture firm with creative renderings, and loves old historic patterns. Chad started working in graphic design for architecture firms about fourteen years ago. His love for historic patterns, and his distaste of taking wallpaper down, eventually led him to start designing stencils.

"I started by designing patterns for clients to be cut out of metal pieces for developers, and private residences. They were all very expensive details to produce and I've always wanted to share that with the masses but I couldn't because of the price point."

When he was asked to design a stencil for Southern Living, the experience led to the birth of Whitewall & Co. "The results of the Southern Living Idea House in 2009 really helped me have the confidence to make this a business model.", says Chad.

Chad claims he can turn just about any pattern into a stencil, and it always evolves into a new look. "The architecture experience helps me digest the purpose and meaning behind the patterns too."

Chad says the response to his designs has been pretty positive. "I love helping them change a boring plain wall into a great over scaled pattern — it really brings life to a room."

• Wallpaper Stenciling
• Stenciled Bathroom
• All Over Repeat Patterns: Rima Bechara
• Bachelor’s Bedroom