What made Interior Design the right career path for you?

• I always knew that I wanted to do something creative or go into the arts somehow, but in high school, I couldn’t pinpoint a career path. At that time, I didn’t even know what Interior Design was. After high school, I waited a while to go to college because I just didn’t know what I wanted to do. Then I started watching Candace Olson on HGTV, and I thought ‘I could do that’! Then a coworker of mine at the time said he was going to enroll in college for Interior Design, and it just clicked. I knew that’s what I had to do, and the rest is history! I attended college and received my Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design. Since then, I’ve worked in a variety of different design fields including custom closet design, custom furniture design, kitchen and bath design, and home remodeling. I’ve taken all of the knowledge I’ve gained over the last 15 years and created Jessica Hein Interiors in 2023.

What made you decide to start your own business?

• I learned a lot over the last 15 years working in the industry, but I was feeling stuck jumping around to company after company doing the same job, just with different employers. I needed to break out of that monotony, and knew I needed to do something that challenged me more. I started thinking about what I wanted to do next. I realized that I do my best work, I’m the happiest, and most productive when I’m working on my own, so the gears started turning. At first it was a pipe dream, but then I started working through what it would look like, what it would take, and how it would all work if I actually had my own business, and now here we are!!

What is your favorite room to design and why?

• The kitchen! Arguably, this is the most important space in the home. It is a space that is used many times a day for many different purposes, and it is the space where everyone tends to gather. I love getting to know my clients to learn about how they live in their space, how their family functions, and what their hobbies are, and then coming up with a design plan to best reflect their design needs. I love space planning and working through all the little details that go into designing cabinetry, and I love working within the confines of a space to make it function the absolute best it can!

What is the biggest Interior Design mistake that people make?

• Designing for someone else. A very common thing I hear when talking to my clients about their remodel is the concern that the next homeowner may not like it. I completely understand that, and ideally, you want the most resell potential out of your remodel, but you also have to remember that this is YOUR home, and the one that you are going to enjoy for years to come. I help my clients by creating spaces that are versatile for a future homeowner but are also injected with my clients’ personal style.

How have you seen the industry evolve over the years?

• It has become less formal and more accessible in my opinion. I remember having to make exquisitely crafted design presentations and have formal meetings to present. Nowadays, with the advancements in technology, a lot of it can be done online, more collaboratively, and in way that has become more accessible to a lot of people. This is how I love to work with my clients. To me, it’s a collaborative effort of my ideas and theirs, and bringing it all together in a cohesive way.

What is a design rule that you love to break?

• I don’t know if it’s a rule anymore, but not everything has to match! I am obsessed with mixing metals and wood tones. Your cabinet hardware does not have to be the same finish as your faucet or your light fixtures. Your wood tones do not need to be the same throughout your home. Your furniture should not be a matching set. Your accessories and artwork should be a reflection of what you like, and they can be different and unique. I will help you to display them cohesively.

What is your favorite part of the design process?

• Oh, the initial design presentation meeting for sure! I love seeing my clients light up when they see how their space will come together. If I’ve done my job right, I’ve brought their vision to life, and I love seeing that excitement.

What is your favorite trend right now?

• I love the more modern aesthetic right now- clean lines, light woods, black accents, light and bright spaces. But I’m also loving the more bespoke details- rustic, handmade looking tiles, antique finishes, and rich accents! I love it all!

What trend do you hate the most?

• I might offend some people…. but luxury vinyl plank flooring that has that grey wood look, and super kitschy farmhouse decor everywhere. If that is your style, absolutely go for it! I love to design beautiful farmhouse inspired spaces and I will help you achieve an elevated look even though it is not my personal taste. I remember a long time ago, a colleague of mine said “I’ve designed a lot of ugly kitchens” lol. I still think about that.

What are some of your goals going forward?

• I still have a lot to learn, so I’m really excited to see where this business takes me, from the client relationships and the projects that I work on, to the trade relationships, to vendor shows, social media, and everything in between.