About Wish Designs – USA Made Home Decor
Our Mission
Wish Designs USA is dedicated to the development and manufacture of USA made home decor products that exceed clients’ expectations. Through both innovative design and customer interaction, Wish Designs strives to enhance our customer experience. The same attention to detail is observed in sales markets locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.
Our History
Wish Designs USA was founded by entrepreneur and designer Deanna Wish in 1978. The company was started with one bentwood hickory rocker sold via mail order. Deanna Wish spearheaded the Amish Country movement, designing an array of bent wood-style furnishings including dining, bedroom, and occasional pieces.
As the furniture became more mainstream, Wish stylized her designs to appeal to the designer trade. Lighting was introduced and is the main focus to date.
Our artisan rugs were spawned from an Amish rug making technique, where scraps and worn clothing were recycled into scatter rugs known a “dust catchers”. Today the product is fashioned from ultra-suede and leather cuttings. The durability of these fabrics and modern on-trend colors make for lasting, eye-catching texture whether used inside or out. These artisan rugs and pillows are made in the USA and are custom creations. They can include your choice of colors as well as incorporate borders, designs, and logos all while being machine washable regardless of size.
Wish Designs USA is a second-generation company. Today, Owner and designer Merit Wish Phillips and husband Ron Phillips operate the Pennsylvania based company. The best way to learn about our company, however, is to discover our products!
Our Team
Deanna Wish, Founder
Founder, Deanna Wish, (1941-2010) was the embodiment of the term entrepreneur. She was a graduate of Youngstown State University. She majored in English and through a graduate assistantship funded the startup of Wish Designs.
Deanna was an early proponent of the Amish country movement. At its onset, the business also offered Amish made quilts. The rug division Tigerrags, was started in the early days; another product line that Deanna lifted from humble country settings and reconstructed to fit our modern, contemporary world. She was a driving force that brought the bentwood style rocker from country porches to the international market. Deanna Wish was responsible for the creation of many of the bentwood designs of dining, living and occasional furniture seen in the market today.
Deanna Wish was creative in areas outside of home furnishings, furniture, and lighting. In addition to owner and designer at Wish Designs, she had worn the titles of an executive assistant, gift buyer, college English research teacher, D.J., chairman, and Rotarian.
Merit Wish Phillips, CEO
Merit Wish Phillips is a graduate of Saint Mary’s College where she majored in English. Following next to the footsteps of founder Deanna Wish, Merit Wish Phillips entered the home furnishings business. She first developed a line of hand-painted children’s furnishings and accessories all produced in the USA. Merit Wish Phillips worked closely with the Tigerrags division of the company. She developed the “Velcro split” that enables our Tigerrag rugs to maintain their carefree wash ability regardless of size. Today, Merit Wish Phillips functions as owner and designer at Wish Designs.
Ronald Phillips, COO
Ron Phillips joined the Wish Designs family in 2011. He is a graduate of Robert Morris University where he obtained a degree in Business. Ron Phillips comes from a 25-year background in management and IT. He has worked with UPS and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Ron Phillips is also retired Air Force having completed 20 years of active duty and reserves. Ron is Operations and IT/Telephony Manager.