Becoming an interior decorator has always been a dream of mine. It’s a career that I love taking part in every day. A lot of people consider a career in interior decorating, but wonder what a typical day is like. That’s why I decided to put together a post on what a day actually looks like for me, and hopefully inspire you to become an interior designer yourself!
5AM: Morning Run. I love working out in the morning because I can clear my mind and channel my focus on interior design throughout the rest of the day. Typically during my runs, I put on a playlist that fits my mood that morning. This morning, it happened to be my rock playlist. I thought about the elements of the rock genre, like the glamour and the drama, which jump-starts my creativity for the day.
7:15AM: Outfit Selection. Inspiration comes to me from all aspects of my life. I consider the weather and my mood, as well as, whether I will be working on projects in the office or will I be out on appointments with clients. I choose a classic navy sheath dress with heels and some fun accessories to create a personable, professional look. I have a client consultation later this morning and want to make a great first impression!
8:30AM: E-mail Check. A few new leads have come in, so I flag them and make a note to call them back and schedule consultations. I grab a light breakfast, pack my bags with my IPad, tape measure and briefcase and head out for my client meeting. I love going to clients’ homes because it’s important for me to create a plan and visualize it with the client in the space. I also take a lot of pictures so when I am working on the project in my design studio I can easily go into a creative state visualizing the room transformed with a new fresh look.
9:30AM: Client Consultation. I arrive at my new client’s home, an elegant colonial with elaborate landscaping. I’m welcomed inside by my client and her husband, who are looking to redo their master bedroom. The client takes me on a home tour. I listen to the client’s descriptions of her home, her likes and dislikes. I notice the living room and kitchen have a traditional Americana theme, and take in all of the existing decor around the house to get a feel for the client’s current tastes. Then I start with a basic question – “What are you thinking for your master bedroom?” I jot down notes of what the client wants and what budget we have to work with. From there I can create a jumping-off point in my mind.
10:30AM: Color Chat. For me, these initial consultations are my time to really get to know my client and see if we can work together to satisfy their needs. Once we’ve covered the basics, I dive deeper to see what colors they love, as well as the colors that they hate. Fortunately, they can both agree that blue is out. They would also prefer their bedroom to feature neutral colors like gray and white, and are open to pops of color throughout the decor.
11:00AM: Accent & Accessorize. Next, we move on to the feel they want in the room. For these clients, casual comfort is key. We also talk about furniture, lighting, accessories, and more. I’m really starting to get a feel for what this client is looking for, which is exciting! I’m anxious to get back to my office and start creating, but first I confirm what we discussed including the budget we have to work with.
11:30AM: Back to Base. Pleased with what we discussed, my clients give me the go-ahead. I get in the car and I write additional notes of any products or fabric that came to mind. Really any creative ideas I had while I was with the client. I head back to the office to start on floor plans. I take in all of the things I pass on my drive home – the color of the sky, the music playing on the radio, the people that I pass by in the car. I compare and contrast these elements with the ideas tossed around at my client meeting. I’m inspired and excited to start putting what I’m visualizing on paper.
12:00PM: Lunch Break. I meet up with a few friends for lunch. We’re dining at a tapas restaurant, which I absolutely love because they’re small plates and you can try a bunch of different foods at once. Variety is the spice of life, in food and in design.
1:15PM: Floor Planning. Before I start drafting ideas, I have a few e-mails to answer and some marketing strategies to address. I check in on my website and blog and come up with an idea for a new post, which I promptly jot down for later. Then I start on the first floor plan for my new clients!
2:30PM: Color Scheming. Next, it’s on to color schemes. Once I’ve chosen one or two wall paper samples for an accent wall, I start looking for a coordinating paint swatches. I then move on to fabric selection. I hop online and peruse my favorite vendors for fabric for window treatments and bedding, bedroom furniture, lighting and artwork. I start pulling items on the client’s idea board. These clients are looking for comfort, so I’m honing in on big, plush pieces with ultra-soft fabrics. I order some swatches of fabric and wood samples.
4:30PM: E-mail Check & Scheduling. I check email and plan for tomorrow’s window treatment and furniture installation for another client. As a designer, it’s important for me to make sure everything gets done in one day if possible. Installation days is my favorite part of this process because my clients and I finally get to see all of the ideas and hard work that took months to plan and execute, finally come together.
5:30PM Pay Bills. I’m paying a few vendor bills. I check my voicemail and call a few leads and other clients back.
6:15PM: Dinner with the Family. It’s almost time to feed the family, so I start making a roasted pork tenderloin with a fig and port wine reduction, which I’ll be serving with lots of steamed vegetables and quinoa risotto with shallots cannellini beans and parmigiano reggiano.
8PM: Relax & Unwind. Once dinner is made and everyone has settled in for the night, I unwind in my living room by flipping through a few magazines. Tonight, I’ve chosen an issue of Elle Decor, Real Simple, and a White House Black Market catalog I found laying around. I’ve found over the years that inspiration can strike at any moment, whether it’s in a recipe, an article of clothing, or even a makeup style.
8:45PM: Inspirational Ideas. In my notebook, I write some inspirational ideas down that came to mind that need further exploration. I also write a to do list for tomorrow so nothing is forgotten. I have the big install on deck for tomorrow, as well as more floor plan creation for my casual-comfort client, and maybe a walk outside for some inspiration from nature.
10PM: Bed Time. It’s lights out for tonight; I have an exciting day lined up for tomorrow! The living room I’ve worked on for four months is finally going to come together – I can’t wait to see my client’s reaction.
I used to watch HGTV all of the time and now I don’t have to do that anymore because I’m living it! After 11 years in the industry, I absolutely love my job and I am so glad that I chose a career in interior design. For more information on how you can become an interior decorator, reach out to me today!
