Why Design Is An Integral Part of Who I Am: The Beauty of Surroundings

Ever since I was young, I can remember waiting on the edge of my seat until my mom’s new editions of Southern Living, Coastal Living, and Better Homes & Gardens poured into our mailbox and flooded me with a sense of wonder and awe at the inspiration of our surroundings. Coupled with my constant viewing of HGTV and Food Network, I was completely entranced by the world of design and creativity. I would tell my mom, “One day, I want to work for one of these companies.” Although I didn’t know what form this dream could take its shape in; as the host of my own home and lifestyle show, a contributor and editor for one of these magazines, or by owning a brand that produced goods for the home, dining, and entertaining space, I believed that I would enter this industry with big hopes and even bigger passion. Funny thing is, my mom always believed that I could do it. (Side note: she is the most supportive woman ever. Thank you mom for always believing in me more than myself.) But as the years passed and I began to map out my career and future, it was hard to see how I could realistically translate my appreciation and eye for design into a profitable road toward success. Writing, another strong suit of mine, seemed like a much more logical path. So, I continued to embrace that time of the month when my eyes were opened up to the new beauty of interior decor, homes, and entertaining, and remained a loyal HGTV/Food Network viewer throughout college. Never losing my passion for these things, I had long dismissed my love as anything more than a pleasurable hobby.

Now looking back, it is easy to see that these things were always my escape from all of the other issues or uncertainty I underwent while navigating my identity and career. When all else was fogging up my head and heart, I could go to my computer and watch something like Barefoot Contessa, (God bless Ina Garten <3), or pick up my own copy of Southern Living and sit with clarity. Knowing that I could forget everything else and just be enthralled by the beauty of what was in front of me. Every chance I got to go into a home goods section of any store or found a spot that was immaculately decorated with character and beauty, I was transported into my happy place. When people began to ask me what I was doing on the weekends post-grad, I often found myself giving the same answer- Every day I would walk around exploring the different little shops, galleries, and areas of the city that gave me inspiration (particularly visually). My time on the weekends was used for self-exploration, growth, and independence. I was doing as much “soaking it all in” as possible. And boy did I find beauty all around me. As I had found this beauty in people throughout high school and college by meeting and befriending many people, I found the same sort of fulfillment through my surroundings here walking in the city.

Finally, I made the connection between the visual inspiration I was gathering and the growth I was feeling in my perspective and heart. Certainly, the two were not just coincidently happening at once. It was at that point that a switch flipped. My desire to consume, process, then create things of beauty in the form of decor, home, style, etc. weren’t just things that I enjoyed, they were things that allowed me to express the core of who I was and connect with others’ core selves as well. They were integral pieces in my puzzle of personal purpose. As I hurriedly began to unpack my connection to design, lifestyle, and entertainment, my eyes seemed to grow wider by the minute. I began to better understand that the colors, things, and textures around me were the leading factors in my life that stirred up feelings, memories, and ideas I had often otherwise dismissed. This was a layer of who I was that was so much more important than I had ever realized. These things around me expressed my heart, what I cherished, and what I strived for. They were what made me feel comfortable, motivated, and inspired.

After taking cognizance of the depth of my love for decorating, personalizing, giving, and creating, the idea that these things could take more of a part in my professional life didn’t seem so far out. Coming into New York, I knew that I wanted to truly explore my interests in ways that might make a career out of what I loved and was constantly inspired by- my surroundings. But at the time that I was job searching, I was also very pressured to do something that would provide me stability and certainty; something that doesn’t necessarily lend itself freely in the world of the arts or a creative field. But if I was going to take the chance to make changes for my future, I was determined to do so meaningfully in the direction that I wanted to go.

Honestly, it was such a blessing that I found Ceci New York by chance. I wasn’t necessarily ever looking for companies like it, but once I found their work, I fell in love with the idea of being a part of something that could create joy through visual stimulation from a good that celebrated life’s most exciting events! So many aspects of their mission and product aligned with my desires and goals of immersing myself in a more creative environment. I knew that this was a place where I could begin to explore my interests, navigate what peaked them, and find what ways I could best contribute to this field.

I speak about in one of my video diaries that I had a moment when Devon visited a couple months back, when we were window display browsing around Rockefeller Center, where I just realized that my dreams could actually become reality; that how I was living and what I was doing for work now would actually be setting me up on the right path towards doing the things little me had dreamed of. It was crazy to me! This was such an empowering and humbling moment standing on the side of the road under the big lights with my best friend at my side. If I wanted to be an influential figure in the lifestyle, design, and entertaining space, I could be with continued hard work and innovation in my personal endeavors.

Coming to understand how these things like style, decor, food, typography, events, art, etc. fit into the greater picture of what I love and want to pursue is an ongoing puzzle. But along this journey, I’ve figured out that the puzzle doesn’t actually ever have to have a right fit. There are so many brands and people in this space that span the entire spectrum. Take Jonathan Adler for example. He started in pottery and now his entire brand is built on all home goods and art. For me, as long as I continue to keep the big picture in mind and start to pursue one thing at a time within this field, I will find the niche area that I am best suited for and broaden my reach/expertise in the process.

Every day, my love for design grows more and more and being in New York has given me more inspiration than I could have ever dreamed of. Every day, my eyes get bigger and bigger while the colors become more and more vibrant. The span of different people around me, the textures and shapes that create my environments, and the beautiful words and sounds that dance within me stir knowledge and continual curiosity for more. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be here, doing what I’m doing and hope that the future will bring nothing but more understanding of the beauty of this world.