Cat Chambers
Cat Chambers
Interior Designer / Blogger
Long Beach, California
www.catchambersdesign.com
Instagram @catchambers__
Pinterest
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I am an interior design blogger, which is a super rad hybrid of two of my passions: gushing over interior design, and being an open book about my journey to becoming an interior designer.”
Some things I write focus on trends that I am loving at the moment, some are DIY's to improve your space, and others are me reflecting on where I am in life and how I find the will to continue to tenaciously go after my dreams.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
The first step was realizing that I craved to work in a field where I could be creative. From there I put myself through a program to get a certification in AutoCAD, which is a 3D rendering program that is widely used in the design world. After that I thought I could just sit back and watch the job offers come flooding in. This, of course, was not the case. The lack of opportunity drove me to create an opportunity of my own, my blog.
FOR OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR FIELD, WHAT DO THEY USUALLY LACK?
Over time I've discovered that kindness is hands down one of the most important aspects of business, especially within a luxury based industry like interior design. I would much prefer to comfort a client with my laid back personality and some laughs, than intentionally intimidate someone because that's no fun!
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
I'm currently working on making connections with other people within the design community, to grow my blog, and to find a job where I can learn as much as I can from an established interior designer.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
A friend of mine once referred to me as the Psych Rock Joanna Gaines and I think that is a pretty spot on summation of my style. I love spaces that are open and have a ton of light, clean lines, and modern utility. With that being said, my heart lives in the 70's, groovy vans, Stevie Nicks, and a ton of vintage. I think a space can have both a classical grand sensibility, mixed with a bit of an attitude. Most importantly spaces have to work for the people who occupy them, and I think that a space that is too stuffy can never function as effortlessly as one that has a lived in quality to it. Here's a little example by the lovely Amber Lewis.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
Ideally I would like to focus on flexing my Interior design muscle. Blogging is always something that is within my power to do, however, interior design is something that tends to have more external forces that influence your ability to do.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
The most frustrating thing right now for me is just finding a job that will allow me to learn and grow as a designer. There's nothing like spending endless hours scrolling through job listings to drain your passion for your career (luckily my blog helps to fill the tank back up.)
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
I would have them make me delicious coffee drinks because anything is possible with caffeine.
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
I wish I could have told myself to not waste any time on a job that wasn't fulfilling, rewarding and challenging when I first graduated college. It was a lesson I learned anyway, but if I had known sooner that these things would be so important to me I would have given myself a bit of a head start and had to go through a little less of an existential crisis to be where I am now.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
I would love to talk to someone about how they navigated the first years of their design career. What sort of trials and tribulations they went through, and how they were able to succeed despite these things.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
I'm looking for opportunities where I can use the skills and creativity that I already have while learning as many new skills and new ways to be creative from people who are super passionate about what they do. Opportunities to collaborate with other bloggers and grow my own brand and blog would also be lovely.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
My ideal job would be working for someone who is an established designer with an established design style that clients go to them for. Within this position I would love to be able to give creative input and assist in all aspects of the principal's work. It would also be wonderful if there was a bit of blogging/social media-ing that when along with the designer-ing stuff.
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
My rate definitely depends on the project. If I am doing rendering or design work my rate would probably be between $40-$50/ hr, if I am working as a design assistant would I would like to receive between $20-$25/ hr.
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
Feel free to shoot me an e-mail at catchambersdesign@gmail.com I am super nice and friendly and love people who want to help each other hustle!
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
Don't take yourself too seriously, just go for it!
This member profile was originally published in January 2017.