We were lucky to catch up with Erin Johnson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Erin , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I suppose finding one’s purpose is a lifelong journey of twists and turns that somehow leads you where you are meant to be if you are patient enough to stay the course.
I distinctly remember being a sophomore in high school and going on a class trip to a group home for troubled teens. They were not there that day but we cleaned the house, decorated with pictures we made, and baked cakes for them. I felt a sense of heaviness for them and wanted their environment to be as comforting as possible even though I had never met them. We left that day and I decided I wanted to work in a group home someday. I wanted to understand people and how they operate in the world. I wanted to understand myself. So, I decided I would study psychology with the hope that I might discover the answers. I enjoyed my psychology classes at university, but I found myself drawn to literature, philosophy, and religious studies. In hindsight it becomes clear that I was enamored. with peoples lives, how they live, love and relate to the world around them.
After receiving my degree in psychology from the University of Tennessee I got a job working at a residential treatment center for adolescents. I had the privilege of living in a rustic cabin in the woods by the river with some amazing young women struggling through life, just like the rest of us. I learned so much from those years and hope I was able to make a positive impact in some way. I felt that familiar feeling of wanting that cabin to be clean, smell good, feel as a cozy as possible for these young girls as they were away from home and family and all the familiar things that bring comfort. We heated the cabin with a wood stove and I remember bringing oranges, cloves and cinnamon sticks to boil in the kettle on the stove to make the cabin smell good, the way my own mother had made my childhood home smell good and feel cozy. These little hints were pointing me towards the realization, many years later, that spaces make you feel a certain way and I wanted the spaces I spent time in to make me feel peaceful,,cozy, and relaxed. As I learned to do that in my own home I naturally wanted to help others to do the same.
This theme played out many times as I explored different paths from working in a high end clothing boutique, a spa, being a barista, to teaching preschool, but the signs were there all along pointing me towards interior design. I love the power of an object as simple as an old book, a lit candle or your grandmothers vase that can evoke such strong feelings. The way that down feathers in a chair sink when you sit down and make you sigh with relief. The patterns on the pillows that are a delight to the eye, and how the texture of the fabric creates a pleasant sensation. The way paint colors can soothe and warm wood tones ground a space. These are the joys I find in being an interior designer.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Now that I have several years experience working on numerous projects I am finding more confidence in my design decisions and narrowing down the scope of work I enjoy. I am at a point where finding the right clients is a priority even if that means more time between projects. I really enjoy being involved at a granular level and having creative control in the projects I take on.
One of my favorite parts of the process is hunting for the right pieces to bring into a space, whether that is new or vintage. So a large portion of my time is browsing antique malls, estate sales, auctions, and thrift stores. I feel like this is a special element I bring to all my projects. I love the challenge of creating spaces for my clients that are functional, timeless, and beautiful while also being cozy, eclectic, and unique to how they live. I continue to be fascinated by the world of textiles and have recently been sourcing more materials from smaller businesses especially locally when possible.
I have been working with a local furniture maker here in the Roanoke valley to bring custom pieces into my clients homes. On my most recent project I was able to work with their team of engineers to create a bespoke upholstered bed frame to a primary suite renovation. Several other projects have allowed me the opportunity to collaborate with a local cabinet maker on designing custom builtins, which is one of my favorite things to design. Currently, I am working on a vintage inspired bathroom renovation using custom tiles sourced from a small family owned business, and I am super excited to see it installed and share it with you all.
I look forward to the projects this year will bring as I continue to grow my design firm.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
As I look back, I would say that my curiosity about people, the human experience, and how we relate to others, places, and things has been the quality that is most impactful on my journey into interior design. Curiosity informs how I go about the process of design. Our homes and the spaces we find enjoyable are glimpses into who we are and what we value so I love that interior design fuses my curious nature and the ability to curate spaces for others that reflect who they are and how they live.
Thoughtfulness and intentionallity are also key qualities that I believe contribute to my work as an interior designer, I enjoy working with clients who give me the time and space to be very deliberate in the choices I make as I develop and implement my designs. Beautiful spaces oftentimes don’t come together overnight the way it appears on instagram or HGTV so allowing the process unfold at its own pace is helpful and aligns with my natural tendencies. My advice to anyone getting into interior design or any new adventure would be to not fight yourself. We all have unique qualities and characteristics so embrace them. Lean in and don’t try to conform to some formula of success that may have worked for someone else. Ultimately, that is what will bring joy and fulfillment in work as well as attract the right types of clients.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
I would say the number one challenge I face is myself, in the form of self doubt. I often question my abilities as a designer and feel as if I am an imposter. I have no formal training in interior design and at times disqualify myself from the profession despite having a number of clients that have entrusted me with their most expensive asset, their homes. Many of my client have even invited me back a second and third time. I am constantly talking myself out of and then into taking on new projects. I am lucky to have supportive people in my life that encourage me and give me opportunities to take risks and succeed or fail gracefully. The bottom line is none of us get it right 100% of the time, but we get it right 0% of the time if we don’t try. It has also been helpful to read other designers stories and how they got started. Many of the designers I admire and aspire towards had no formal training either. So I would say to anyone struggling to step into something new, just go try.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Necessaryinteriors.com
- Instagram: @necessaryinteriors
Image Credits
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