If you have a passion for interior design but haven’t gone to school for it and wish you could work in the industry? You’re in luck! I am going to share with a few that will MASSIVELY inspire you.
I can remember my days before I had my own business, I used to dream about working in interior design. My obsession with Architectural Digest magazine began when I was just 11 years old. My mom used to keep them in the guest bathroom and I would hide in there and read them every single day.
I was also in love with interior design & decorating books and would spend weekends at Barnes & Nobles devouring anything and everything decorating & design.
While working sales jobs and desk jobs were my reality, feeling drained and over worked, I would read magazines that left me feeling so inspired by the fabulous & bold women who ran their own businesses. I vividly remember having the gut feeling and deep desire to someday have my own business but I never knew how or where to get started.
Fast forward many years, 2008 to be exact. I had just gotten laid off from my job in hotel development in Beverly Hills and I was living off of unemployment and needed something to do with my time. So, I started a blog all about decorating my small apartment in West Hollwood. I became absolutely obsessed with it because I had finally found a way to express my love for interior design through blogging about it. (if you would like to learn how to start a profitable & popular blog, read this post here)
And after years of building, growing, nurturing my blog into a full on thriving interior design business, I realized something very BIG.
You don't have to be a "designer or decorator" to create a thriving career in the world of interiors. There are so many incredible avenues you can take in the world of decorating. If you have been thinking of making your own move into the world of interiors, allow these 7 fabulous stories inspire you to take the leap and make your own mark in the game.
Hot tip: creating an unforgettable personal brand is key to helping you take your passion and turn it into a thriving online business. This is something you could start today to give you a head start. Grab my FREE guide here.
7 inspiring interior design related careers that you can start on your own:
1. Brittany Cobb - Flea Style : I first spotted this gal on the Everygirl and promptly attended one of FleaStyle's markets in Houston, Tx. With a strong passion for all things vintage, bohemian and 'flea-market', she created a boutique & stylishly curated flea market filled the hottest 'local' handmakers, custom products and even an online marketplace. In just a couple of years she has grown her business to showing vendors from all over the world and even creating its own custom line.
As a girl who grew up in antique markets & always found a love for the art of the hunt, this job would totally be right up my alley! How fun to create a brand and business based on your biggest passion? Read this write up on Glitter Guide to let yourself get inspired by this awesome biz.
LESSON LEARNED: Flea Markets are everywhere, but that didn't stop Mrs. Cobb. Don't be afraid to think outside of the box. Just because there might be other people doing what you have an idea for, you can create and tailor your idea in a whole new way!
2. Boutique E-commerce: Arianna Belle - Bespoke pillows : I first met Arianna back when I was living in Los Angeles. We were both decor bloggers just starting out and figuring out how to grow and build a brand. With the passion for posh and organized interiors, I knew she was sure to be a sensation. She used her resources, eye for trends in decor and launched a boutique business of custom designer pillows.
My home has several of Arianna's pillows including the classic leopard velvet & bengal bazaar. Her online business has grown to be featured in almost every home you see in the magazines these days. Her organization, attention to detail and variety in custom sizes made her business stand out. She definitely has made her mark on the industry.
LESSON LEARNED: When deciding what sort of path to pave in the world of interiors and decorating, draw from your personal values. Arianna leaned toward organized and tailored interiors. Her selection of designer fabrics and high end fabrics help to pull together any room for a tailored look.
3. Watercolor artist: Jessica Rowe - The Aestate : If you haven't seen one of Jessica's prints before, I'd be shocked. You may have noticed her feature in Issue 3 of ISTA magazine. This decor blogger turned decorator turned watercolor artist has definitely made a huge stamp in the decorating world. After creating a vast collection of hip and trendy water color prints, she landed a highly coveted spot as a featured artist in Jonathan Adler's designs.
Her artwork made it to the walls of the latest renovation of mega popular hotel, the Parker Palm Springs. Designed by Jonathan Adler. It's one of my favorites.
LESSON LEARNED: If you have a talent or knack for DIY or crafts, don't underestimate your power in creativity. Be bold, offer your custom artwork to the world and stay committed. You'll never know what fabulous hotel or boutique your work might end up.
4. Textile Designer: Elizabeth Mollen - Stone Textile : Anytime I think of cool careers, I think of Elizabeth. Another fabulous Texas gal for this list, from my very own hometown, Austin, Tx. With a degree in textile design and a background in fashion, she launched a fabric line with a beautiful line of chic, fashion forward pillows. Bringing couture fashion vibes to the home decor world was a natural move for her. After adding decorating interiors to her list of services, she also launched a collection of uber hip wallpaper.
LESSON LEARNED: Don't be afraid to combine multiple passions to pave your own way. Elizabeth's background in fashion + textile design, combined with her passion for interior decorating helped her carve her very own chic niche.
5. Art curator/Artist : Lisa Eryn Silverman - These Fine Walls : My minor was in art history, I've always had such a fascination with art, especially photography. When I was starting my blog, TheDecorista, I worked at a photography gallery in Beverly Hills. It was probably my favorite job aside from what I am doing now. So, this career, in my opinion is as fun as they come.
This fabulous little NYC gal left her job in fashion at Michael Kors to launch her own online photography gallery. Her eye for placing incredibly bad a** photography on the walls of chic interiors helped make her mark. She also has a super talent for her own work too.
LESSON LEARNED: Creativity over competition. Instead of seeing other photographic artists in her field as her competition, Lisa decided to pave her career path by joining forces and helping to promote them.
6. Vintage furniture collector: Tiffany & Flann - Scout Design Studio: You may remember them from the day I re-created my own version of Carrie Bradshaw's office? I mean, if you love anything to do with decorating, then you most likely love the furniture that these two have put out into the world. This Dallas based boutique is one of my favorite resources for fab vintage turned glam.
With a love for traveling around Tiffany & Flann perfected the art of finding gems and turning them into treasure, these two besties made a huge mark in the industry. They now have even created their own custom line of vintage inspired pieces.
LESSON LEARNED: Whatever it is that you love doing as a hobby, THAT can turn into a thriving business. Why not grab your bestie and travel the world scouring for fun finds to bring back and make your cities interiors more beautiful? The possibilities are endless!
7. Start an interior decor blog. I obviously am a huge proponent of blogging. My interior design business was made possible because of my blog popularity. Branching into the online space can open up doors for you, that you never thought were possible before.
Another example for you is Sophie Lee, a college student who started a blog about interior decorating and made $43,225.37 in May 2020 on a blog started in 2017! Yes, over $40,000 in just one month! It can be done. Read this post on “How to start a profitable blog in 2024” .
This career path is perfect for the introvert or quiet entrepreneur.
8. Interior Decor Influencer / content creator. Listen up, in 2023, women today are able to launch huge careers as content creators in a specific niche.
@annivanderbeek is one of my favorite interior decorating content creators. She created a series on TikTok called “Unnecessary Necessities” where she shares everything she uses to decorate her home. It’s such a clever idea that you can create yourself. She’s got upwards of 450,000 followers who now buy her products, hire her e-design services and garner her brand sponsorship deals.
For someone who LOVES video & content creation, this is definitely a perfect path for you.
I hope these 8 interior design related careers have inspired you. If you are wanting to start working on your own business, you may want to first begin by creating a vision for your personal brand.
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