About Rita

“The Downsizing Designer”

Hi! I am Rita Wilkins, also known as the “Downsizing Designer”, a moniker I embraced after downsizing from my 5,000 sq. ft. home in the country to my 867 sq. ft. home in Philadelphia. My downsizing journey was inspired by a trip to a third-world country where people had so little but they are happy. I gave away 95% of my “stuff” to people who needed or wanted it. I am now living on 5% of what I once owned and have never been happier. Realizing the impact of my own downsizing journey, I was inspired to share my story:

  • On the TEDx stage: Downsize Your Life Why, Less is More
  • Write my book, “Downsize Your Life, Upgrade Your Lifestyle: Secrets to More Time, Money and Freedom” 

I am an interior designer by profession and have always had the ability to walk into a space and “see” possibilities. I see others and myself in the same way… life is too short to fear flying higher.

As a lifestyle designer, I help people see through personal barriers so they can reimagine, reinvent and redesign a life that aligns with their passion, purpose and why.

 

As Past President of Fresh Start Scholarship Foundation, I have experienced life-changing moments when the women we serve are provided the opportunity to have a better life for themselves and their children through education. I have discovered the more we give, the more we receive.

As President of Design Services, Ltd., with over 35 years of experience in design and management, my approach to design is both aesthetic and business-like. I am known to be a highly effective “hands-on” designer with extensive experience in both residential and commercial interiors. I have had the opportunity to design thousands of interiors throughout the country, from designer kitchens to corporate penthouses to Supreme Court Justice Chambers. I am a graduate of University of Rhode Island, attended Rhode Island School of Design, University of North Carolina, and University of Virginia. As well known interior design and lifestyle design expert, I have been fortunate to receive many awards, to be interviewed on national radio, TV and podcasts and to contribute to business and trade publications and blogs on the subject of interior design and lifestyle design.

For over 35 years I’ve had the opportunity to listen and learn from our many clients.  Thank you and I’ve heard what you are asking for.  You’ve inspired be to continue creating, inventing and designing new ways to contribute to the quality of your lives.  As a way to better serve you, in addition to our core interior design services, we have combined the accumulated years of interior design and lifestyle design knowledge, expertise and experience to create my new lifestyle division of Design Services, Ltd.

Our New Lifestyle Design Studio introduces Our Signature Blueprint System: Downsize Your Life, Upgrade Your Lifestyle:

As an entrepreneur all of my life, my passion has always been making a difference in the lives of our clients through design. In creating this new Lifestyle Design Division, it is my intent to continue providing services that will impact an even broader audience throughout the United States, particularly baby boomers who are seeking to reinvent their lives to be filled with purpose and meaning in their third act.

Lifestyle design promotes living intentionally in all areas of your life, living in alignment with what matters most to you so you can experience a higher quality of life each day.

While design is very much center stage in my life, my family and friends remain closest to my heart.
Our Signature Work 3/ Play 4 Lifestyle Business Model allows me to spend more time building and providing new lifestyle design products.

As a serial entrepreneur, I constantly crave new learning and challenges so you never know what’s next! One thing, though, is certain. I will continue to listen to the “wants, needs, and wishlist” of my clients and audiences throughout the country and will continue to create programs and products that inspire, impact and influence people to live the life they love… by design.

Rita Wilkins, The Downsizing Designer

P.S. It’s never too late to design and live the life you dream of.