A Word To The Future Generation of Interior Designers

1. Why did you choose a career in interior design and when did you know this was the career you wanted?

I chose it because when I was young, everywhere I went, I wanted to fix things up or make things look better than what they did.

I was constantly sketching new floor plans and designs when I was a kid. Then when I was older, I pursued my art degree because that was the closet background I could get to art history and how style has evolved.

2. What education did you have to receive and were there other certifications or licenses you needed?

I started back at the University of Utah. At the time they did not have a program to get an interior design degree specifically.

I received my Bachelors degree in Fine Art and continued into the industry by starting to flip homes in the Sugar House area with my husband. You can do all the schooling in the world, but you do have to have the eye for it.

3. What is your typical workday like – what are the day-to-day duties and main responsibilities?

I start the day with a meeting with my design team to review where we are at on our multiple projects. I prioritize based on the timeline, and what decisions and designs need my approval or work.

Also running the design business I will touch base with my CFO and marketing team to see where we are at with new project leads, and payment on completion of projects etc.

4. Do you work from home in addition to working at an office and about how many hours a week do you work?

I am able to create my own schedule where I can work from home 2-3 days out of the week where I can do design work and be around to take my kids to school and be there when they get home.

The other days I schedule at the office, I have my team schedule new client consultations, team meetings, or days to be on site for larger installations I need to oversee.

5. How did you get to the position you’re in now from an entry-level position?

I started free lance work alongside my husband after he received his general contractors license when we were flipping homes. I would pick out all the materials and do a lot of the work myself too.

After working exclusively for his custom home company, I branched out to pursue more of the furniture side of the business and made the investment to open my own furniture store. I’ve now run the company for 6 years bringing on a design team, and an extension of our business that also caters to staging homes as well.

6. What skills do you need to be an interior designer? What qualities are important to have?

You need to have a good sense of style and creativity. Being able to foresee new market trends. Be a good listener and be able to interpret your clients vision. From the technical side, this falls into space planning, basic math skills to calculate measurements, and calculate square footage for materials.

7. What are the advantages of being an interior designer and what is your favorite thing about your job?

My favorite thing about my job is being able to be creative, and create environments that make people happy and feel good. I like people to be inspired by their surroundings, so to give them that is rewarding.

8. Is there anything you don’t like about being an interior designer or about the industry?

I don’t like dealing with the wait time on inventory and custom pieces. The balancing act of timing based on inventory, what’s available and your completion deadline, because it can sometimes cut your plans up and you have to go back to the drawing board.

9. What would you consider to be the hardest part of this career?

The hardest part for me, is when you’re working with a client and they don’t have any vision, and being patient enough to help them through the process. This job does require a lot of patience and communication skills.