Robin Wilson (eco-designer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robin Wilson
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Portrait photo of Wilson
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| Born | September 26, 1969 Austin, Texas, United States
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| Nationality | American |
| Education | University of Texas at Austin (BA) New York University (MS) |
| Occupation | Designer, Lifestyle Brand, Author, Interior Designer |
| Employer | Clean Design Home |
| Known for | Entrepreneur, Author, Clean Design |
| Title | Chairman, CEO, Founder |
| Spouse(s) | divorced |
| Children | daughter |
Robin Wilson, born on September 26, 1969, is an American businesswoman, author, and interior designer. She is known for her ideas on "Clean Design." This means creating spaces that are good for your health and the planet.
In October 2020, Inc. magazine named Robin Wilson one of the top 100 leading women entrepreneurs. She started a lifestyle brand that became CLEAN DESIGN HOME. This brand launched at Macy's in 2021. Later, it expanded to BELK, Wayfair, and even military stores. As the creative director, she has helped sell over $85 million in products. These products include textiles, furniture, and cabinets.
Wilson's design ideas focus on her "Clean Design protocol." She wrote about this in her second book, Clean Design: Wellness for Your Lifestyle (2015). Her first book was Kennedy Green House: Designing an Eco-Friendly Home from the Foundation to the Furniture (2010).
She has worked with Joe Torre to help people who have experienced domestic violence. Her company created Project Lilac. This project gives lilac sheet sets to safe houses. These safe houses are identified by the Safe at Home Foundation. In 2023, Project Lilac won an award for its community work.
Robin Wilson has built a brand that helps people design their homes. She partners with other brands to offer eco-friendly and healthy products. Her clients have included Panasonic USA and the White House Fellows office. She also works on homes and commercial buildings. She is a volunteer ambassador for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. She has also served on several boards, helping with sustainable furniture and youth programs.
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Robin Wilson's Early Life
Robin Wilson grew up with middle-class parents. Her father was a bus driver. Her mother worked for the state government. Her family believed that education was very important.
When Robin was young, doctors found that she was allergic to many things. She was often sick. Her parents found a special doctor who focused on natural health. This doctor taught them about organic food and healthy living. He also stressed the importance of clean indoor air. As Robin's health got better, she learned a lot. These early experiences helped her develop her ideas about "Clean Design."
Growing Up in Austin
Wilson was born in Austin, Texas. She went to public schools there. After graduating from S. F. Austin High School in 1987, she attended the University of Texas at Austin. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. While in college, she worked at the Lower Colorado River Authority. There, she learned a lot about environmental issues. These included saving energy and water.
After college, she worked for Mercer Management Consulting in Boston. In 1997, she moved to New York City. She worked for Heidrick & Struggles. This company became public in 1999. This allowed her to earn a master's degree. She studied Real Estate Finance at New York University.
Personal Challenges
In 1993, Robin's only brother, a US Army soldier, died in a motorcycle accident. This was a very sad time for her. To help with her grief, she made a list of things she wanted to do in her life. This list has led her on many exciting adventures.
Robin Wilson's Career Achievements
In 2024, New York University honored Robin Wilson. She was named a Distinguished Alumnus. She also gave a speech to graduate students at Radio City Music Hall. A few months later, she was recognized by the Tisch Center Hospitality Innovation Hub.
Founding Her Design Firm
Robin Wilson started her design company in 2000. In 2006, she renamed it Robin Wilson Home. She was one of the first to promote "clean construction." This means using paints with low levels of harmful chemicals. This helps reduce breathing problems like wheezing and sneezing.
Wilson has worked on many important projects. She designed for President Clinton's office in Harlem. She also worked on the Good Housekeeping Showhouse. She designed a private home for Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.. In 2014, she helped rebuild a home in Los Angeles. This home was for a family who lost everything in a fire.
Product Lines and Partnerships
Robin Wilson was the first woman to license her name for eco-friendly kitchen cabinets. These cabinets were made in the USA by Holiday Kitchens. They were sold in over 400 stores across the country from 2008 to 2017.
She is known as an expert in "Clean Design." She shares information about healthy homes and products that are good for people with asthma and allergies. In June 2011, she became an ambassador for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
Her furniture line, Nest Home by Robin Wilson, first appeared in May 2013. It was shown at a big furniture fair in New York City.
In 2020, she changed her product line name to CLEAN DESIGN HOME. This brand is now sold online and in stores like Macy's and BELK. It is also sold to all branches of the military through their online stores. The products include bedding, bath towels, candles, and cleaning supplies.
Speaking and Writing
Robin Wilson is a speaker on topics like starting a business and building a brand. She also talks about "Clean Design." She writes a blog for the Huffington Post about healthy living. She also wrote an article for the Washington Post about living well with allergies.
The Library of Congress has recognized Robin Wilson. Her life story has been recorded as part of their History Makers project.
