In Focus - Seriously Happy Homes
At Wigoders we love creativity and passion! That's why we're here after all - to share our passion for interiors and help you create a beautiful home that you can enjoy year after year.
As part of our Get Creative Campaign we've put together an In Focus section where we put our questions to creatives and designers from gardeners to painters, craftspeople to architects and more. If you'd like to get involved just get in touch and we'll get right back to you.
Rebecca West - Founder - Seriously Happy Homes
Tell us about a little bit about your business
At Seriously Happy Homes our mission is to help people feel happier in their homes *and* in their lives. We are all about empowering confident, action-oriented decision making, and encouraging our clients to make change happen! We don't care if anyone ever buys a new sofa or remodels their kitchen, as long as the sofa or kitchen they've got helps bring a smile to their face, and isn't an obstacle to their happiness!
What Inspires you?
What an interesting question. As far as design goes, I am inspired by spaces that make me smile, and that is usually in homes that are quirky, filled with things that reveal the personality of the people who live in them and tell stories about the families that live, and have lived, in the space. I am also inspired by nature and travel, but by that it's not so much that I mean you'll see a lot of natural or global motifs in my designs, but more so that being in a forest, or up on a mountain, or in a foreign country gives you perspective on what matters in life, and helps me remember that a tile or paint choice is *not* a life-or-death decision. It's one to make efficiently and confidently so one can move on and get back to *living* in our homes.
What do you consider your greatest achievement to date?
My greatest achievement to date has to be writing and publishing my book, Happy Starts at Home. When I celebrated that in March of 2016 I suddenly had a *huge* appreciation for every published author for facing the challenge of writing, editing, and marketing a book, not to mention dealing with cover design and interior layout and ISBNs and All The Things! It's a heck of an achievement, and I'm just tickled by the fact that no matter what else I do in my life, I'll always and forever be a published author!
What is your greatest indulgence?
My greatest indulgence has to be either baths or naps - I can do either for a good 2-3 hours, though I don't get to do either as often as I'd like. I think Spain really has something figured out with the whole siesta thing! My smaller indulgences include a dram of whiskey, a package of Oreos or Eggos, or a drive through the local Taco Bell (*hangs head in shame*) lol.
What piece of advice would you give someone interested in starting in this field?
If you want to be an interior decorator or designer, start taking before and after photos of *every* project you take on, whether that is a little organizing project in your own home, or a redo of a space for a friend, or for your first paying client. The sooner you can start a portfolio, the sooner you can either get clients or get hired at a firm. Don't worry if your photo skills aren't the best - they'll develop over time. And don't worry if you aren't breaking design barriers with your first design projects, that will develop over time, too. Just start. As Marie Forleo says - progress over perfection!
What was the most stressful part about setting up in business and how did you overcome it?
The most stressful part about setting up in business was the fear I had every time I'd leave a client's house. I'd have our meeting, give them my best design advice (usually color specifications in those early years) then go home terrified that they'd end up hating the color once it was up on the wall. It was only after I'd stacked up happy client after happy client that the confidence I faked became real. Fake it 'till you make it, right?
Plans for the year ahead?
In the year ahead we are growing our design team, and I am in talks with a publisher about doing an illustrated version of Happy Starts at Home. As my design team grows I look forward to creating more time to write and to speak so I can reach even more people and help encourage them to make the changes they need to get happy at home.
Where can people find out more?
On our website at seriouslyhappyhomes.com or across social media - details below.
Seriously Happy Homes are based in Seattle, USA.