About Wingate Ltd.
Wingate Ltd. is a design and build company specializing in distinguished interior design, custom build and renovation projects, and furnishings to fit an array of stylistic and lifestyle preferences. We are located in the Berkshires of Massachusetts and serve clients locally, around the US, and internationally.
For more than 20 years, Wingate Ltd. has exceeded clients’ expectations—from the initial stages of big-picture planning, to the final thoughtful details that fill a room with ambiance. Our dedicated team brings a deep knowledge of design and construction, paired with a thoughtful balance of intuition and skill, to ensure your home becomes your haven.
Wingate Ltd. has received accolades including a nomination for “Woman owned Small Business of the Year” by the US Small Business Administration, winner of the Realtor’s Choice Award for their Saratoga Showhouse, and has been featured in the following publications:
Meet the Team
Valerie Winig
Principal Designer and Owner of Wingate Ltd.
Valerie Winig is the founder and owner of Wingate Ltd., bringing more than 40 years of visionary design experience and a profound dedication to each of her clients. Before starting Wingate Ltd. in 1999, Valerie trained to become a registered Landscape Architect and then further developed her skills in furniture design, interior design, and purchasing of domestic and imported wares as a chief designer and junior partner of a business with locations in the Berkshires and in SoHo, NYC. There, she nurtured a love of traditional furniture design; after creating a stunning English hutch for a celebrity client, her passion for bringing durable, tangible beauty of the utmost quality was ignited.
Today, Valerie’s coinciding skillsets allow her to create a truly personalized sense of home, from both an aesthetic and structural standpoint. She’s earned a reputation as a distinguished designer, bringing high-end design and approachable luxury to the homes of a range of clients—from spacious kitchen renovations, to stunning custom furniture, to resort-worthy landscapes.
“In nearly every space, I aim to create balance and flow; a design that draws you in,” she says. “This is my passion: I’m inspired to create environments that are lifestyle-friendly, inviting, and restorative, that suit the unique characteristics of each client.”
Stefan Shine
Office Manager
Stefan joined the Wingate team in 2022 and has brought over 20 years of financial experience to the
company. His work at Wingate includes making sure the books are balanced, taxes filed, bills paid, and
daily operations going as smoothly as possible. His previous work in a fast-paced corporate
environment sharpened his ability to manage many moving parts while making sure the bottom line is
always taken care of. He is an alumnus of University of San Francisco.
Debbie Shippee
Senior Project Manager
Debbie oversees projects from start to completion, calling upon her reliable expertise to find the perfect furnishing for our clients. With an extensive background in merchandising, as well as decades of experience as a buyer for the May Company, Debbie has access to a vast global network of designers and vendors, allowing her to quite literally search the world for the right piece. But Debbie’s strengths go beyond attention to detail; she truly takes time to listen to the needs of our clients, learning about their lives to gain a better understanding of how to exceed their needs. She is drawn to beauty in its simplest form, preferring design that is clean and elegant. In her spare time, Debbie enjoys being out among nature, animals and beautiful spaces to share with family and friends.
Marlene Graells
Senior Project Manager
Before joining the Wingate Ltd. team, Marlene’s impressive background in production management and store display/design saw her thriving in unique tasks, like working with high fashion display mannequins sculpted from live models in London, and overseeing their fabrication and production for Saks Fifth Ave, Neiman Marcus, and others. She later honed her skills as a project manager and designer at several prestigious NYC interior design firms. Today, she finds joy in helping our clients bring beauty and comfort into their homes as a project manager. In her spare time, Marlene can be found on a hiking trail, traveling, visiting art museums, and spending time with friends, family, and her dog, Harper.
Bill Lehman
Lead Builder
Bill Lehman possesses a broad range of construction skills which have been developed over the last 45 years of his life. Professional experience in diesel mechanics, custom cabinet building, landscaping, residential and commercial construction are major parts of his background. Bill is exceptional in his understanding of the building trade and brings technical know-how along with creative problem solving solutions to almost any design/build project endeavor.
Christopher Winig
Digital Strategist
Chris has been a part of the Wingate Ltd. team since 2019, having previously served as a Logistics Specialist in the US Navy. There, he honed his skills in planning, operations, logistics, and communications; this highly coveted skillset, combined with his appreciation of architectural details that pair durability with beauty—as seen with Gothic and ancient Roman styles—makes him an integral part of Wingate. In his spare time, he enjoys reading, strength training, traveling, and living an active lifestyle.
Patrick O’Gorman
Assistant Builder & Finisher
Patrick has over forty years of painting experience. He plays an integral role in bringing to life various projects Wingate is tasked to complete.
Adolfo
Builder
He works with his hands and builds cool stuff!
Margaret Avenia
Painter
Berkshire Native Margaret Avenia has been with Wingate LTD as a furniture restoration specialist & custom finisher. Margaret’s talents extend beyond furniture finishing as her skill set includes an in-depth knowledge of real estate. Margaret’s personal interests include being a devoted mother, painter, and world traveler
Milton, Edwin & Miguel
“The Crew”
Milton, Edwin, Miguel and their crew can do just about anything when it comes to the physical execution of a project. Whether it’s assistance in deliveries, moving of furniture, handiwork, and estate sales – they can do it all. If there’s one thing that outpaces their capabilities, it’s their work ethic!
