AZ TRT 2.0 - Solving the Worlds Problems through Design w/ Celeste Wilson of Form180 - AZ TRT S07 EP02 (285) 2-8-2026

AZ TRT 2.0 - Solving the Worlds Problems through Design w/ Celeste Wilson of Form180

- AZ TRT S07 EP02 (285) 2-8-2026    

 

Things We Learned This Week

·         People Are Remodeling Instead of Moving
With rising home and land prices, homeowners are choosing to invest in their current homes—upgrading, expanding, and modernizing rather than starting over somewhere new.

·         Home Offices Are Now Permanent—and Must Be Designed Intentionally
The best home offices allow for mental separation from work, often through physical barriers, visual breaks, or designing the space to flex back into daily living when the workday ends.

·         Wellness Is Driving Modern Home Design
From smart lighting and steam showers to home gyms and better airflow, wellness is no longer a “nice to have”—it’s a core design principle.

·         Lighting Directly Affects How a Home Feels
Natural light, smart lighting systems, skylights, and color temperature all impact mood, energy, and subconscious comfort. Good lighting can completely transform older homes.

·         Great Design Starts With How People Actually Live
Understanding family habits, entertaining style, pets, physical needs, and daily routines allows designers to create homes that feel peaceful, functional, and truly lived-in—not just beautiful.

 

Guest: Celeste Wilson - Founder | Principal Designer 

FORM180.com          

FORM180 is a full-service boutique architectural interior design firm located in sunny Arizona. Striking the balance between meticulous detail and welcoming allure, every project is a curation of precision and unparalleled craftsmanship. From initial concept to completion, we specialize in transforming spaces into experiences. Designing interiors that tell a story, empowering the minds that reside there. Our passion lies in crafting interiors that are not only stunning but deeply reflective of our clients' unique tastes and aspirations. Every detail, every finish, every handpicked piece is chosen to elevate and inspire.

 

 

 

Notes:

In this episode, we sit down with Celeste Wilson of Form 180 Design, a residential-focused architecture and interior design firm known for modern, desert contemporary remodels. We explore why homeowners are choosing to remodel instead of move, how wellness and technology are shaping today’s homes, and how Celeste’s background in commercial design informs her approach to transforming older residential spaces.

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Segment 1: Why Home Remodeling Is Booming

Why people are staying put

·         Rising housing and land prices have slowed moving activity

·         Homeowners are choosing to invest in and enjoy their current homes and neighborhoods

·         Remodels and additions are often more cost-effective than buying new

Reimagining older homes

·         Common projects include ranch-style homes being reframed from dated layouts into clean, modern designs

·         Focus on transforming older homes without losing their character

Post-COVID lifestyle shifts

·         Home offices are now a permanent feature

·         Demand for flexible workspaces that can transition back into living space

·         Importance of separating work energy from home life

o    Physical or visual barriers

o    Thoughtful placement and flow

Wellness-driven design

·         Growing interest in:

o    Home gyms

o    Steam showers

o    Wellness-focused layouts

·         Use of smart lighting and technology to enhance mood, circadian rhythm, and comfort

ADUs & additions

·         Auxiliary Dwelling Units (ADUs) as:

o    Detached home offices

o    Guest houses or mother-in-law suites

·         Design considerations for privacy, access, and energy separation

Kitchen remodel trends

·         Creating efficient kitchen work zones

·         Dedicated baking areas and improved storage

·         Butler’s pantries to keep messes hidden and entertaining seamless

Form 180 Design focus

·         Residential design first

·         Spec design, architectural design, and full-service interior design

·         Integrating technology with design to support wellness and livability

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Segment 2: Celeste Wilson’s Design Philosophy & Background

Professional background

·         Architectural design blended with interior design

·         10 years in commercial design, including:

o    Abercrombie & Fitch (retail store layouts)

o    Restaurants such as The Melting Pot, Sushi Go, and North & Company

·         15 years focused on luxury residential design

Client-first design process

·         Starts with understanding the client’s:

o    Family structure

o    Daily habits and lifestyle

o    Physical needs or limitations

o    Pets (feeding stations, pet zones, practical layouts)

Designing for flow and peace

·         Every item should have a place

·         Homes should allow easy movement and freedom

·         Design supports how families live, cook, entertain, and relax

·         Goal: a symbiotic relationship between people and space

Lessons from commercial design

·         Experience retrofitting modern layouts into historic buildings

·         Applying those lessons to older homes:

o    Working within constraints

o    Preserving character while modernizing function

Upgrading older homes

·         Common challenges:

o    Lower ceilings

o    Smaller rooms

·         Solutions include:

o    Lighter paint tones

o    Strategic lighting

o    Monochromatic palettes

o    Vaulted ceilings (when budget allows)

Lighting as a design tool

·         Door systems to open walls and increase natural light

·         Smart lighting systems (e.g., Lutron)

o    Match interior lighting to natural UV patterns

o    Light impacts mood and subconscious behavior

·         Skylights, larger windows, and creative daylight solutions

·         Even recreating sunlight through advanced lighting systems

Floor plans & privacy

·         Creating intentional separation within intimate spaces

·         Split floor plans for primary bedrooms

·         Secondary entrances for:

o    Home offices

o    Guest suites

o    Mother-in-law units

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Key Takeaway

Great design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about how a space supports your life. From wellness and workflow to lighting and layout, Celeste Wilson’s approach blends architecture, interior design, and human behavior to create homes that feel peaceful, functional, and timeless.

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