What’s next for me….Interior Design.
It’s been a while since I’ve written any new content, and it’s also been a while since I wrote anything about what I’m doing work wise. I think the last time was when I left my role as a Senior Project Manager working in digital advertising to retrain as a freelance social media manager and to look after my daughter. I found that working in advertising, coupled with late nights and looking after children just too much of a juggle. The ‘work hard play hard’ motto became ‘work hard and work late’.
That was four and half years ago. Now I have two children, one house move and one major house renovation under my belt, and I have absolutely loved every single step of our house renovation and redesigning our home.
The refurbishment of our loft conversion was the turning point alongside direct messages on Instagram from my followers wanting my interior design and colour consultancy advice. I guess that Interior Design has been in the back of the mind for a long time. When I was younger I used to redesign my bedroom by cutting up tiny pieces of paper replicating items of my bedroom furniture to work out new layouts.
All of that combined with both of my children now in school it’s the right time for me to take the next step in my career (I hope) adding another career running parallel with my social media business, this blog and my Instagram which is all still very much at the forefront of what I’m doing.
So I’ve taken a big leap and started an Interior Design course with KLC School doing the Certificate of Residential Interior Design which is something I’ve been thinking about doing since the start of the year, and I hope to complete it by this time next year. Fingers crossed. It’s a big ask and will take roughly 15 hours of my time each week to do. Although that doesn’t sound like a lot of time it is when I’m also working and currently renovating my staircase and hallway.
Two weeks ago with a little nervousness and excitement I started it. There’s a lot to learn. It’s fairly intense so far and I need to get a whole load of things for the office, learn CAD and SketchUp, watch a lot of online learnings and complete assignments and projects too.
Then the plan once I finish the course is to start working for myself in Residential Interior Design, because now that own home is nearly finished I actually really miss it and I know I have the skills, knowledge and passion to help others with their interiors. Obviously there’s a whole array of things that I need to do before that including website, social media, finding clients etc, but I hope that the confidence I’ve acquired by working for myself for the last four years will help with that alongside all the knowledge I’ve gained through renovating our own home and working with architects and builders to achieve my vision. But……first I need to complete and pass the course, and the first project is to put together a concept board.
So that’s where I’m currently at with my career and work life, I do hope you’ve found this an inspiring read. I’ll be sharing more about the course and how I’m finding it over on my Instagram, and if you have any questions do let me know as I’m always happy to help. There’s also a couple of my finished projects and rooms within our own home below.
Claire x