By Gabbie Burton
Contributing Writer

When interior designer Kate FitzGerald-Wilks noticed a gap in her industry, she decided to address it. Having worked in interior design for over 20 years, she saw the lack of convenience when it came to home renovation and retail options, so she decided to change it.

Enter the newly opened the Timeless Design Center, FitzGerald-Wilks’ new 5,400-square-foot storefront in Hockessin that provides community homeowners with a “one-stop” shopping experience for those looking to renovate, redecorate or just spruce up their homes.

“We thought we could bring a lot of beautiful products to the community, as well as a place where they could put it all together,” FitzGerald-Wilks said. “No longer do those looking to incorporate fresh ideas in their home have to run all over town to a tile shop and then a carpeting shop and then a wallpaper shop. Everything is right here.”

By “everything,” Fitzgerald-Wilks does really mean everything, as the Timeless Design Center is an incubator of ideas for every person and every project - from the selection of wallpaper, flooring, cabinets, countertops, furniture, window treatments to choosing just the right décor and original items not found anywhere else.

While each item is selected by FitzGerald-Wilks, she shared that she tries to offer an array of options so all customers can find what’s right for them, including reclaimed wood or handcrafted, one-of-a-kind items that are sourced locally, allowing potential customers to support local craftspeople in addition to adding more beauty into their homes.

“I think we’re pretty eclectic, and I think we run the gamut quite a bit in terms of what we have on the floor,” she said. “I do like a home that features a well-traveled vibe, so I do have some exotic items, but I also enjoy the originality of found items as well, so we do showcase reclaimed wood and stone, which both add a bit of rustic flavor to the unique signature of a home.”

“Kate has gone through every item to make sure that it’s curated for who we want to sell to,” said Joshua Towber, COO at Timeless Design. “No bad designs come out of here.”

‘We’re open to any depth of creative involvement’

Although the vast showroom at the Timeless Design Center appeals to nearly every creative taste and preference, FitzGerald-Wilks said that the store provides full-service consultation for working families and empty nesters and whose schedules don’t offer a lot of time to invest in reinventing their homes or individual rooms. While the Timeless design team is happy to lead their customers’ renovation designs, FitzGerald-Wilks further emphasized that she and her team want customers to feel they can browse offerings in a “commitment-free way” and leave any pressure or expectations outside the door and just have fun.

“We’re very good in the interior design business for the working couple, because we do all the footwork for them, and that’s what we’re all about,” FitzGerald-Wilks said. “It allows you to do some of the footwork for your design ideas, but we also provide the full service that busy people often need when it comes to home design, so if someone would like to schedule an appointment with us, we will have done some footwork and have options set up prior to their arrival,” she said. “We’re open to any depth of creative involvement, but we are also open to people coming in and developing their own ideas.”

All under one roof

FitzGerald-Wilks said that the timing of the new store, which opened in August and has a grand opening planned for Jan. 15, 2026, fits into the trend for home renovations in the area that can bring back interest and money from potential buyers.

“We knew there was a large need in this area for the renovation of the 20-to-30-year-old homes,” FitzGerald-Wilks said. “They have multiple bathrooms, for instance, and a kitchen that is now dated and they were probably builder grade or a little above that at best. Homes in this community are selling for more than they ever have before, and with it comes renovations that really need to be done for sellers to beautify their home as it goes on the sale market.”

Whether it’s for full renovations or minor decor changes, FitzGerald-Wilks and the Timeless Design team want customers to know that they can do it all – or you can - and all under one roof. By having all the minutia covered in their new Hockessin location, the Timeless Design team hopes to fill a gap in the interior design industry and be a helpful addition to the community.

“We really want to make sure that people have accessibility to interior design,” Towber said.

​The Timeless Design Center is located at 713 Ace Memorial Drive in the Wellington Plaza, Hockessin, Del. 19707 and is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., and by appointment. For more information and to join their mailing list for special deals, community events, sip & shop gatherings and more, visit www.timelessbykate.com.

To contact Contributing Writer Gabbie Burton, email [email protected].