Watkins Design Works

Join West Virginia State Parks on May 21st from 1:00-3:00 for an open house at the new visitor center along the Elk River Rail Trail!

West Virginia State Parks to host open house for Elk River Trail Headquarters State Parks officials also announce land purchase that will add 4.3. miles to the trail from Queen Shoals to Clendenin CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia

I want to share a really nice big-picture green building summary I wrote for an RFP. This was for a school system in Charlottesville, VA, and if you know anything about Charlottesville, you know the city as well as the university revolves around Thomas Jefferson. This document shows how we approach LEED and make sure sustainability goals are specific to each client.

Interior design might sound sexy, but often isn't! This screenshot is from a generic vinyl tile specification where the items in red and green should be edited for the exact product I'm specifying. In this case, the manufacturer recommends these temperatures to be between 65 degrees and 85 degrees and also has a relative humidity requirement that isn't even included here. So, if I don't take the time to change this specification language, and the contractor installs the vinyl floor tile in a 90 degree room with high humidity, and the floor doesn't adhere properly or wrinkles or whatever, then who's at fault and how does it get resolved?

After years in this space, I finally got new layout tops that run the whole length of the low shelving!! 😂 I will continue revamping the library by installing new bookcases all along the back wall next month.

I am happy to share a few photos from Ursus Brew Works! We tried our best to keep as much of the old building as we could, but it was in quite a state of disrepair (see last two photos). We did keep remnants of some wall tile, exposed brick in the rear of the space, and spruced-up the old backbar, which will become the backdrop of a lounge area at the entrance. We designed the bar and backbar, custom windows and frames that allow viewing into the brewery, drink rails, artwork locations, all the finishes, furniture layouts, and lighting.

An Italian-themed clinic for in Clarksburg features vintage travel posters and artwork reflective of decorative tiles. Furniture was installed while this busy clinic remained open, so thank you for the smooth process.

This is going to be a really wonderful event, so please consider attending! I'm grateful my friends and I were able to spend time with Helen during filming. She will be there for the world premiere, and you will want to spend time with her, too!

Join us on Saturday, March 21, at 6 p.m. at the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge for a special evening honoring the legacy of Helen McGinnis and the story behind the protection of Dolly Sods Wilderness.

Hosted by the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy and Friends of the 500th, this event features the new documentary Dolly Sods and the Legacy of Helen McGinnis, directed by Clara Haizlett, plus a screening of Mother Daughter Earth by Julia Huffman.

Helen McGinnis will be in attendance for a post-film discussion and audience Q&A.

🎥 Free admission (donations encouraged)
📍Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge | Davis, WV
🕕 6:00–7:30 p.m.
🔗 Space is limited — register now: https://www.wvhighlands.org/2026/02/13/dolly-sods/

Celebrate more than 50 years of protected wilderness — and help ensure it stays wild for generations to come. 🌲🧡

Check out this bar!!! Cannot wait for you to hang out in this space. 🍻