As an entrepreneur who can sometimes get caught up in the hustle, it’s important to be intentional about finding a creative outlet outside of your day job. Having a hobby that keeps your creative brain sharp can inspire new levels of innovation in your work, which is why I became intrigued by MasterClass.
The online platform has popularized a new way to learn skills that expand our knowledge. They have a broad range of classes available on everything. From Reddit’s founder Alexis Ohanian teaching you how to build a startup to Emmy-nominated producer Issa Rae teaching you how to create outside the lines — there’s something for everyone to dig into to expand their education and creativity. I recently added one MasterClass to my must-watch list: Interior Design with Kelly Wearstler.
Why Interior Design
Full transparency? Quarantine made me fall in love with interior design. When the world shut down, I was ending my lease in Manhattan. While transitioning from New York to my home in Miami, I booked an extended stay at the Santa Monica Proper Hotel in Los Angeles. When I arrived, I was in awe of the hotel’s interior design work and discovered it was the work of creative genius Kelly Wearstler.
Kelly’s ability to mix textures, modernity and timelessness sparked my passion for design aesthetics, decor, and furnishings. I began to recognize the importance of creating a space that inspires me — bringing forth a new perspective on the benefits of having a home that personifies your personality and goals.
“Rather than subjectively creating space based on that individual designer’s preference, interior design studies human behavior and intentionally curates an aesthetic that elicits feelings from whoever enters the room.” – Nancy Twine
The Benefits of Interior Design
After discovering Kelly’s work, I spent nine months working on my first-ever interior home design project, where I put creative thought into each aspect of the space. (I’ve never done this, so it stretched my imagination and curiosity.) As I played with the different aspects of pulling the project together, I incorporated these principles and benefits into my plan:
Interior design is an art and a science
The key difference between decorating and design is understanding how the mind works. Decorating is personal and subjective — You can place items where and how you want them. This playful process leads to some of the most original homes you can imagine. Interior design takes that artful piece of decorating and merges it with functionality. Rather than subjectively creating space based on that individual designer’s preference, interior design studies human behavior and intentionally curates an aesthetic that elicits feelings from whoever enters the room. (Have you noticed that hospitals and spas feel like hospitals and spas? That’s no accident.)
Interior design maximizes your space
As a former New Yorker, there’s the shoebox-sized apartment trope that holds for many. When decorating, you can quickly discover your floorplan feels limiting or impossible to work with. The interior design creates flow, function, and purpose in every design choice. Interior designers consider the usefulness of each item before placing them into the space. (A person who works from home may need to prioritize a multipurpose kitchen table in a smaller place, whereas a parent with young children may need to create more storage opportunities for toys and crafts.)
Interior design enhances the quality and value of a space
When working with interior design, consider the longevity of the pieces you weave into your space. Decorating keeps things fresh, adds personality, and follows what’s trending. While interior design touches on aspects of that, I found that interior design invests in the long-term value and comfort of the space. The right textures, furniture, and fabrics matter more than the mainstream. Choosing higher-quality items that work as your base over time is the best way to go when working within interior design principles.
When I finally settled into my Miami home, I stretched the boundaries of my comfort zone. While bolder colors and patterns with a few quirky furniture pieces felt like a risk, it was also calculated. Inspired by Kelly’s stunning motifs, the principles of interior design helped me source the right materials to bring my intention to life.
As much as I love how my space turned out, I know there’s so much left to learn. In Kelly’s MasterClass, she shares her design philosophy, process, and techniques for creating interiors with distinct hues and prints. In the course, Kelly covers topics like color theory, layering textures, and mixing patterns to bring any concept forward. The best part is that throughout the class, she provides examples of her work and insights into her design process. She offers a behind-the-scenes look to aspiring designers and individuals looking to improve their design skills for personal projects.
So, if you’re anything like me — you should try your hand at interior design through Kelly’s class and see what you can create in your home and what you’ll discover about your creative interests and potential. If interior design isn’t your thing, I implore you to investigate what other interests rest on the margins of your creativity. Where can you step away from your work to bring you closer to your expansion?
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