We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alicia Garey a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alicia, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
Mostly I think it stems from wanting to be useful. Also, a job I had in my early 20’s taught me so much about how a pleasant customer experience makes all the difference in someone’s day. I worked at a beautiful store that sold wedding invitations, Mont Blanc pens, elegant picture frames, leather photo albums, that kind of stuff. We had a discerning customer base and engaging with the customer with a certain amount of respect was just as important as what they were in the store to buy. Also, one of my early jobs was at a talent agency and once again I saw that serving the client’s needs was of the utmost importance. I like the idea that what I am doing is contributing to a positive experience.
I believe that whatever someone does in their work life, regardless of where it falls in the realm of financial status, can and should be done with sincerity and curiosity. The positive interactions we have contribute to a sense of well being and those good relationships build community.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I have been an interior designer for fifteen years. I’m sure I was greatly influenced by my mother’s love for interior design, art, and fashion. My father is a professional photographer and before that was an advertising executive. The spirit of creativity has always been with me.
In my teens, I decided to paint my room from plain white to a peachy glow and that started my love for what color can do to a space. I have enjoyed painting furniture as well and thoroughly enjoy the thrill of transformation.
When I work with a client I always want to listen to how the client says they want to feel. There are so many layers to help make this happen. I like to look at the big picture to bring an idea to life. It’s easy to fixate on one element such as a sofa, for example. But what I aim for is to tell a whole story, creating visual context and a sense of clarity.
Currently in the works is a primary bathroom remodel which will incorporate some 1950’s elements. Another project is going to include a client’s fantastic art collection. And another exciting project will revive an amazing beach home. Each project has unique parameters and I’m always delighted to help bring renewed energy into a space.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Although creating something new usually means there is initially messy deconstruction, I consider myself to be very organized. As a sole proprietor of AG Designs, three important elements have been:
1. keeping communication open and clear
2. creating a consistent system for each project
3. staying curious
Whether a project is one room or an entire home, my process is the same from the moment I first meet with a prospective client to the conceptual phase and the completion of the project.
As you can see, I’m a list maker. Creativity isn’t as linear of course. So, the flip side to the nuts and bolts of running a business, is to stay open to inspiration. And by the way, many of my clients have fantastic ideas. The interior design process is collaborative. Renovations require a team and I strive to treat that process with respect.
And if something doesn’t go quite as planned, consider it a learning moment. Design in any realm is also problem solving. I always like to say that you can explore anything on paper. When you are willing to examine a design in the drawing and exploration phase with an open mind, crucial questions bubble to the surface that will serve the project and bring it into (glorious) reality.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.AGDesigns.biz
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aliciagareydesigns/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AliciaGDesigns
Image Credits
Photos by AG Designs
