#HASHTAG: ERIN MCCARTHY

Hailing from Orange County, California, current Wilmette resident, ERIN MCCARTHY, is living her lifelong dream of working as an artist, designer, and small business owner. About four years ago, McCarthy had an “aha” moment when she realized her fine art photographs of flowers, plants, trees, lakes, and streams could be digitally manipulated into surface pattern designs for textiles and wallpaper. An avid interiors lover with a certificate in Interior Design from the Interior Designers Institute in Newport Beach, California, McCarthy thought that if she could launch a business selling her designs (as well as her original photographs) to interior designers and homeowners alike, she could play a small part in beautifying peoples’ spaces.

Having worked her whole career in nonprofit organizations and the real estate industry, McCarthy was feeling the need to be more creative when she found herself on hiatus from the 9 to 5 while raising two small children circa It was at this point McCarthy picked up a digital camera, enrolled in a class with the late, great photography teacher Richard Stromberg, and embarked on a decade-long journey of professionally photographing everything from children to commercial spaces to interiors.

In 2019, McCarthy reached out to her friend, Mindy Turitz, a veteran of the fashion and home decor industry (as well as a Kellogg School of Business grad), to see if the two could team up to take McCarthy’s designs to the marketplace. Turitz was game and MERINDA Studio was born.

MERINDA Studio turned three last fall and design additions include Wanderlust, a collection inspired by Mexico, wallpaper borders, and several brand collaborations. Most recently, the brand introduced a limited-release art collaboration with ARCH, a popular vintage, garden, and home store in Winnetka.

#ON MY NIGHTSTAND

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah. I am obsessed with this series on Netflix that chronicles two young girls growing up in the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s. I love the way the narrative jumps back and forth between their middle school and middle-aged years. After watching the series, I had to go back and read the novel.

#ON MY MOBILE

I am on Instagram several times a day when I have a few minutes to spare in the carpool line or waiting for one of my kids while they are at a sports practice. For interior design inspiration, I love @klinteriors, @aspoonfulofbenjamin, and @andrewjhow. I am trying to cook more and love @whatsgabycookin and @thegiadzi for recipe inspiration. I can also be found texting my kids, husband, friends, and Mindy all day long or competing with my husband to see who can get Wordle in three tries or less.

#IN MY EARBUDS

I am always listening to a podcast (or four!) while I’m out walking my dog or doing chores around the house. I like Raising Good Humans and Zen Parenting Radio, both of which help me think about some of the issues I face as a mom to two teenagers. I also like the Business of Home podcast to stay on top of industry trends. And I can often be found rocking out to my Taylor Swift playlist on Apple Music.