We recently connected with Kori Steigerwald and have shared our conversation below.
Kori, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
I may be different than some in this, but for me, creativity is very much influenced by the world around me. I take note of how sights and sounds affect me emotionally and use that when I need to create something new. Put me in a quiet room by myself, and I may come up with some original ideas, but surround me with other people, music, art and nature and my creativity can soar. I feel inspiration is all around us, and if you’re open to it, anything or anyone can spark those creative juices. As an interior designer, I am always looking at design magazines, shows, and social media sites, as well as observing other people’s homes and businesses for ideas and inspiration. I am always noting the vibe they give off and how it makes me feel, and use that as a reference when asked to design a new space for someone. I always ask clients how they want to feel in their home, and use their answers along with my own experiences to create a design that will provide that feeling for them. I ask them to provide inspiration photos for colors and styles they are drawn to, and use them as a launching point. For me, creativity sparks from inspiration rather than out of nothing, so I choose to seek out sources of inspiration in my work and in my personal life.
I purposely surround myself with inspiration. I decorate my home with colors and pieces that make me feel happy and proud. I listen to music that I find uplifting and joyful. My friend circle is full of beautiful people who are striving to better their lives and not be complacent. I spend time outdoors with my husband and kids to enjoy what God has provided. I join networking groups, both in person and online, to continue to grow as a businesswoman and learn from others who are pushing through boundaries and making change in their businesses. I am diligent when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including eating clean, exercising and exploring hobbies that bring you joy.
As a result, when it comes time to be creative, I have multiple sources of inspiration to draw from and am in a healthy space both physically and mentally. I believe that creativity, among so many other things, will come easier to you when you feel good about yourself, who you are to other people, and the impact you make in the world.
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 am the principal designer and owner of Horizon Interior Design, and specialize in residential interiors for active empty-nesters (like me)! My specialty is creating vibrant Midcentury Modern as well as Hollywood Glam styled interiors, that also showcase my clients’ personality and celebrates their new chapter in life. By combining bold colors and patterns, incorporating pops of bling and personal treasures, I transform their home into spaces that will inspire them and in turn spark creativity in their own lives. I graduated from Oakland University in 1998 with a Master in Physical Therapy, and enjoyed a successful career as a therapist. I worked in orthopedics and home care, and found it interesting to see the environments in which my clients lived. I grew a passion for interiors over the years, yearning to create comfortable and beautiful spaces. I received a degree from the Interior Design program at Baker College in 2016, started my own business and haven’t looked back!
I am married and have two sons, one in college and one headed to college this year. I have three cats, and love to travel and dance! Dancing is my favorite activity, and I do it any chance I get, even if it’s in my car. It is such a freeing and joyful way to express myself, which also leads to clearing of the mind to spark creativity.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Like most things in life, I feel creativity needs to have a strong foundation, which is based on you and your surroundings. I feel I am most creative if I have optimized my health: physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. For example, I find it hard to be creative if I am not well rested or hydrated, and feel stressed or upset. I feel that having strong, healthy relationships with family and friends also puts you in a state of mind to feel inspired and creative. These strong relationships are based on open communication and empathy, and a goal of wanting to be a light for someone else. I feel we are all here to help each other and grow, and creativity is one of those God-given gifts that we can use in our journey.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
The past year or so has been a very trying time for my business, largely due to the state of the economy. Design services are a luxury, and when times get tough, luxury services are the first ones to get cut from people’s budgets. Business has slowed considerably, and while I take some comfort knowing that many in my industry have felt the same pinch, it has still been difficult to navigate. I found myself getting more and more discouraged, and as you can imagine, it became harder and harder to feel inspired and creative. As I stated earlier, I feel we are all here to help each other grow, so I knew I needed to reach out to get help and direction. I firmly believe we need to lean on others especially during the difficult times. I found a business coach who not only understood my industry and the challenges I face, but who was on fire to help and inspire me. She helped me to refocus, rebrand, dig deep and rediscover my “why”, and ultimately to rise up out of the hole I was sinking into. Having this newfound vision and brand identity has resulted in me feeling excited and hopeful for the future of my business, and I feel inspired and yes, creative, again.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.horizoninteriordesign.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/horizoninteriordesign/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/horizoninteriordesign
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/horizoninteriordesign/
Image Credits
Gugel Photography Emily Lynn Creative Photography
