We’re back this week with a feature on Isabella Patrick, of Isabella Patrick Interior Design, a residential interior designer based in New York City. She approaches design using vibrant colors and innovative material to help clients paint the portrait of their homes. Learn more about her work in this interview for byDesign!
What is your favorite part about being a designer?
Giving clients the courage to take design risks, and helping them realize the potential of their homes.
Who or what would you cite as your most important influence?
Travel and life experience. The world is a visual feast and inspiration is endless. I pursue well-designed spaces that allow to effortlessly circulate and generate positive energy and experiences.
Can you tell us about your personal brand?
This one is tough! I gravitate and respond to many different styles and designs. Ultimately, my brand is about fun and functionality with just enough elegance and embellishment so that it feels tailored and timeless. Most importantly, every interior is custom designed for that one very special client. No two designs are alike.
What is your favorite color palette to work with?
Blue and green, though I have recently been crushing on orange and yellow (and all of their iterations: amber, cognac, goldenrod, etc.)
If you could travel back, what advice would you give yourself as you start this career?
Create a business plan, system, and find a mentor! I pulled together all of my experiences and pieced them together, but business is always growing, thus always changing. I like it, however, a more-defined foundation would have been helpful.
Please give us an overview of the more personal side of your business, how did it come to be, any interesting stories about the origin you can share?
It came to be rather organically. My career started through an amazing internship at David Netto Design, I also took part-time classes at FIT. From there, I moved on to a quick stint with Thom Filicia. I was at a career shift (moving from the arts and non-profit development sector), so I came into the interior design world with real life and work experience. I knew how to write, how to communicate with people at different levels. I stayed in touch with all kinds of colleagues along the way and that always led to amazing opportunities (like Country Living Magazine and Club Monaco retail design). At some point I was referred to projects by colleagues and friends and was asked to participate on freelance projects (like one very fun project with Emily Henderson!) Somehow, I took that momentum and spun it into this little business that I love.
Do you have anything you can share about how you and/or your firm have been affected by COVID-19, and any tips for other designers on how to navigate and cope?
Oh boy , yes! The biggest change – aside from construction going on hold – was not having any new business to sign. That is scary. Being in New York City, it’s hard to imagine having a client who would invite me into their home. I’m lucky to have had three new clients whom I had met prior to COVID-19. I was able to fully launch the design development stage with all three, although one project is on hold due to some logistics.
What do you like most about DesignerInc?
The one-stop access to custom products that, until recently, you had to research, reach-out and customize in much more challenging ways. Having DesignerInc as a directory is also an amazing resource for creating design concepts. Depending on this resource to take care of all the details and logistics is like a dream come true, it’s like have a capable new employee!
What is your biggest challenge when designing?
One of my biggest challenges is simply not feeling creative, working through it, and then doubting myself. There have been so many low moments when I was not inspired by something I had created. I have to remember to step away, breathe, return and persevere. On the more technical side, I am not great at drafting. I find the math involved – especially in kitchen, bathroom, and other custom design – extremely challenging. I now have someone on my team to help with this.
Follow her on Instragram: @ipatrickdesign