I get so many messages about how I started interior design, what my path looked like, and how to get started. Well, I thought I would elaborate a bit on what my journey was like.
What people see on instagram: I started an interior design business, I got a bunch of clients, create beautiful homes, and get paid for it and my life p e r f e c t. Right? mmm no. What people don’t see: It took me about 4 + years to get to this starting place. Lots of doubting myself, lots of changing my mind, tears, frustrations, and lots of hard work.
I have always wanted to be an interior designer, I just never realized it was an actual job. When I was young, I remember watching extreme makeover home edition with my mom thinking those women working power tools and fluffing pillows simultaneously were MAGICAL.
I remember constantly rearranging my room, circling the Items I want from PB Teen Magazine hoping my mom would place an order for my birthday or Christmas (she always did!)
I wanted to be an architect - when my mom told me I would need to be good at math I was like NOPE, next.
I have had tons of jobs throughout the years (makeup artist, leasing agent, admin assistant, etc) and with each one, I still always wanted to design spaces. So much that I actually weaseled my way within those jobs to do something that had to do with fixing up the place. I would propose a new apartment lobby idea, rearrange the makeup boutique, create a new exterior for a building and so on.
I decided I wanted to go to Interior Design School - to learn the basics fundamentals of the industry. I knew absolutely nothing besides my own gut feelings on design + what looks good. It took me two years to enroll, but I finally signed up for Heritage School of Interior Design here in Portland, OR. It’s a small trade school which is basically a crash course into the industry. I made a ton of friends, got a good handle of the basics, and it gave me the confidence and reassurance that I was good at this.
I totally recommend this school, however IF you’re a self starter and can teach yourself - I wouldn't say that going to school is necessary at all. To be honest - all of this information is on the internet. You don’t exactly need a legitimate degree or certificate ( depends on what you want to do). I personally needed the history, the assignments, the community, support and connections. Or so I thought..
Just upon finishing my program, I emailed every interior designer + firm looking for an internship, a shadow, coffee run girl, ANYTHING. After a few polite declines I was super discouraged, until something just fell into my lap. I got connected to an interior designer who needed to hire her first assistant. We met for coffee, and fell in love with each other! This is my good friend now, Amy Carnahan. I was her assistant for about 8 ish months. We worked on a huge project, I ran errands, picked up and returned orders, accepted deliveries, built furniture, and the list goes ON. I learned 90% of what I know now working with her throughout the years. This just proves that real world experience and getting thrown into things and being expected to figure it out teaches you more than just talking through something in class. Did I regret going to school? absolutely not, and I would probably do it again if starting over.
I gave my notice to Amy, because I needed to go get a “real job” to pay for my upcoming wedding. So for the next 2 years, I was back to the good ol’ office job. Yep - a step backwards. The opposite way I wanted to be going but this is what I had to do! This is an important part of my story because I loved assisting Amy. I loved leaning about the industry. I loved it all - but the timing just wasn’t right. I told myself when the timing was right, I would start my own business like Amy.
Fast forward to this time last year -
My husband and I had a big talk. You know, the kind where I cry a lot. Just talking about goals, and happiness finances and blah blah blah married stuff. We decided it wasn’t the worst time to start my business (because is it ever the best time?!). He helped me with a website and logo, and I started taking photos of our house. For my first few photoshoot- I would go to target and home goods, drop $$$, lug it all home, create pretty corners in my home, take photos AND RETURN. No shame. You have to start somewhere.
In this past year I have learned so much. I have had projects take me week, I’ve had some take me months. I have had some very exciting, and others super norm. Some with small budgets, some big. My last project of the year was my largest and most favorite. It was the best way to end the year with a BANG, a grand fanale if you will. Comparing that to my first project of the year which was an E- design I did for almost free of charge.. I’ve come a long way. You just need to START. It doesn’t really matter how, or what school you went to, or who you shadow. The first few projects wont be that great, but they’ll get better.
- noelle
