Reimagining CarolynTillie.com: A Midcentury Modern Makeover for a Visionary Artist

It was an absolute joy to rebuild the website for Carolyn Tillie, a California-based artist, author, and metalsmith whose work spans the worlds of food, jewelry, and fine art. Carolyn’s unique voice and perspective needed a digital space that felt as compelling and layered as her creations — and this project gave me the opportunity to bring that vision to life.

Who is Carolyn Tillie?

Carolyn is a true polymath. Her work is inspired by everything from culinary arts to classical literature, and her jewelry has been exhibited and collected internationally. She’s also the author of A Feast for the Eyes: Edible Art from Apple to Zucchini and The Strange Tale of Panorama Island, which reflect her deep curiosity and love for the unexpected intersections of art and life. Carolyn’s voice is not only artistic but deeply scholarly, and her site needed to reflect that depth while remaining accessible and visually striking.

A Custom Midcentury Modern Touch

One of the guiding themes of the redesign was midcentury modern — a style that felt right at home with Carolyn’s aesthetic. I incorporated custom elements like clean lines, vintage-inspired icons, and layout structures that nod to classic design without feeling overly retro. It’s a style that balances elegance with a sense of play — much like Carolyn’s own work.

From Squarespace 7.0 to 7.1 — With Purpose

This project was a rebuild from an older Squarespace 7.0 site. Upgrading to 7.1 allowed for greater flexibility, cleaner design implementation, and more modern functionality. During the rebuild, I refreshed the entire color palette and typography system. The new colors are warmer and more refined, grounding the visual experience while letting Carolyn’s artwork shine. The updated typefaces add sophistication and readability across all devices.

A Hybrid Design Approach

CarolynTillie.com now lives as a hybrid website — combining the ease of scrolling, single-page storytelling with the organizational power of a multi-page layout. This format makes it simple for visitors to discover Carolyn’s wide range of work, whether they’re browsing her books, reading her blog, or exploring her jewelry collections.

Final Thoughts

Designing this website was more than a technical update — it was about honoring the voice and vision of an extraordinary artist. I’m proud to have helped craft a digital space that reflects Carolyn Tillie’s creativity, intellect, and unmistakable style.

Visit the site at CarolynTillie.com to explore the final product.