Chelsea Conrad

“The interior design world has been massively impacted by social media. You have the ability to curate and share your aesthetic with the whole world, establishing your fan base and potential clients.”

WomenWhoBuild, Meet Chelsea Conrad!

Chelsea is a New York based design professional who specializes in interior and set design. Chelsea sat down with ArchNative (virtually) to discuss how she stumbled upon her passion while working on an investment property with her mom and sister. She shares her journey in design, how she approaches projects, her utilization of concept boards, her design style, and her advice for women entering the field. Chelsea’s incredible eye for color and composition makes her a women to watch in the industry!

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your journey in design?

I grew up in the mountains south of Tahoe and have always had an affinity for the natural world. I was keenly aware at an early age how your environment can affect your mood, productivity, and disposition. We went through a home renovation when I was about 11 and my dad requested my help in choosing textiles and furniture. My love of interior design started there. Being able to intentionally manipulate an environment was addictive. I was (and still am) obsessed with sports though, so I originally planned to get the best of both worlds by being an architect who specialized in stadium design. 

What was your first introduction to the field?

When I was 22, my mother, sister, and I bought a residential investment property. We tore 3,600 square feet of house down to the studs. Horrified, my sister expressed concern about what we had done and was unable to visualize the finished product. I knew, after easing her anxieties with my proposed plan, I should pursue a career as an interior designer. 

What about the industry enticed you to make it your career?

At the time of completing the investment property renovation, I knew I wanted to make this my career, but I didn’t have a formal design education. I (naively) thought at 24 I was too old to go back to school, but  I had been bitten by the design bug and needed to be in this field. I decided my only other option would be to find a firm I admired, get in at entry-level, and build my way up. 

It wasn’t terribly difficult to find a job, however, getting the right training and ascending at the speed I would have liked proved to be problematic. It also became apparent my bosses needed a personal assistant for life administration and not the design assistant I was hired to be. It was an incredibly valuable experience, however, since I realized I had to go back to school. I needed fundamental knowledge and more job options.  

I enrolled at The Art Institute in North Hollywood and LOVED it. Life circumstances sent me to New York however and I attended FIT, only to move on to The Academy of Art University which I also love (they have a great accredited online program).

What has been the biggest challenge in your career?

The biggest challenge for me has been confronting the amount of waste our industry causes. I love creating new spaces, but as a culture of obsolescence, we are always looking for the next best thing, the next trend, the next seasonal desire. I encourage clients to purchase pieces with longevity that can grow and evolve with them, well-made items they can reupholster or repurpose years down the line. I am currently working on launching a design company that only works with furniture and decor items already in circulation and textiles and materials made sustainably and locally. It’s incredibly important to me to promote a circular economy.

How do you approach each project?

I approach each project with the intent to create a space the inhabitant feels completely fulfilled by. Their style might not be my own, but I want them to be happy, and to achieve their desired outcome.

From a technical standpoint, I have an initial meeting to get to know the client, survey the area, make sure I understand their needs, ask them how they want to feel when they are in their space, see if there are any existing items to incorporate or any limitations. Ask important questions like are they a cat, dog, or kid person (kidding, but really...). Then I put a plan of action together, along with concept board, (to make sure we are syncing aesthetically) and a cost estimate. Once it’s confirmed that we are on the same page, I jump in!

You create some pretty incredible concept boards. How do you obtain the inspiration for a project and how do you translate it onto a concept board? How do you then utilize the concept board to design a space?

Thank you for the compliment! The beauty of concept boards is there are no limits, no wrong answer, no ceiling. I like to agree first on the ideal aesthetic because you can always find less expensive substitutes. I’ve experienced difficulties explaining to clients that they won’t “love” every piece we need in order to complete the space. Some items need to act as anchors or canvases for the pieces that are really meant to shine. Being able to put a concept board together aids me in getting this point across.

I get inspired by items clients “must-have” or need to use as they were an inherited piece or something they can’t part with. This gives me insight into who they are,  a jumping-off point, and becomes a bit of a puzzle. For example, How do I create a minimalist modern space with Victorian-era dining chairs? Situations like that, I love.

How would you describe your design style?

My style is eclectic, dark, rustic yet refined. I like the use of natural elements and materials, the colors green, black, tan, and brown are my go-to. I enjoy modern amenities but love the soul of a good vintage piece. My grandmother was an antique dealer, so I learned early on the best furniture comes with a good story. 

What is one piece of advice you have for women entering the field?

Just start doing. The interior design world has been massively impacted by social media. You have the ability to curate and share your aesthetic with the whole world, establishing your fan base and potential clients. Start building your portfolio that way. Design, style and shoot your own space, design for friends, even if they are on a budget, reimagine their home, move furniture around, use your own accessories and create new looks to document and share in your portfolio. Try making concept boards for imaginary clients as an exercise to expand your style range. I’ve realized when people see something they like, they are more likely to ask for it.