When Katherine Wildt O’Brien of Matthew Studios was little, her mother was always coming home with different light fixtures and lamp shades. She would change them out around the house, like most women would change their earrings. Katherine was always amazed how that could change a room. When she was a teenager she worked in a shop that specialized in gemstones. The West Indian owner taught her a lot about gemstones and their mystical properties. Katherine began her career at a boutique interior design firm on Madison Avenue and worked with a celebrity roster of clients. Here she developed a keen understanding of integrating fine art, custom furniture and lighting on large scale interior projects. She then went on to work for the premier Knoll furniture dealer in NY, LucePlan NY, Kartell and Baldinger. At Baldinger she assisted with the production and launch of the collections of designers Michael Graves and André Putman among others. This experience equipped her with hands-on knowledge of lighting design, production and custom fabrication. During this time she was introduced to local skilled hand-painters, sculptors, glass makers and metal fabricators. After Baldinger Katherine helped to establish Oxygen Lighting. Matthew Studio was established in 2008 in an effort to blend Katherine’s extensive knowledge of product design with her interest in natural materials and love of light. Katherine works with a team of skilled local artists to create lumieres and an ever increasing collection of cabinet hardware that are made by hand with a focus on flawless detail. Carter Hardware is happy to assist with a wide-range of custom lighting, cabinet hardware and accessories.
