Today we’d like to introduce you to Hope Clark.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Hope. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Of course, it’s my pleasure – thank you for the feature!
I’ve always loved interior design in one sense or another. Some of my earliest memories include my mom telling me to stop moving my bedroom furniture around, and saving any tickets I accumulated at Chuck E. Cheeses for a blow-up chair for my room. I also grew up around the design process by watching my father and his landscape architecture firm.
In college, I realized my love of interiors for what it was – a full-blown obsession. I took design classes and interned in a prestigious firm by day, and attended events as President of my college design chapter and binged HGTV on the nights and weekends. I also primarily lived off of mac and cheese so I could afford a new pillow or duvet every so often (priorities).
As the years went on, I tried all sorts of design firms on through internships to see what I really loved. I worked on everything from celebrity homes and the Ritz Carlton in Abu Dhabi, to hospitals, to office buildings, new homes and every size remodel you can imagine.
Through all of this, I found what I really love is working with people and seeing the impact design makes on their lives, so I primarily focus on residential remodels and small commercial projects.
Now, I’ve been working professionally in the felid for eight years, and have had my own company – Olive + Oak Interiors for two. I pinch myself constantly at the fact I get to do this for a living. I love pulling a space together and seeing a client’s life improve because of the beauty we create together.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Though I’ve always known I love design, my path in it hasn’t always been clear and there are stigmatic challenges with the interior design profession.
As I mentioned I tried all sorts of design niches through internships – residential, commercial, hospitality – to see what I liked best in college. I would definitely recommend this to anyone starting out as a designer, especially while in school so you can get professional experience and a clearer career path for post-graduation.
It was initially a little scary branching out and trying to get hired in the professional world. To combat this feeling, I recommend beefing yourself up on paper since the more you can learn and put on that resume, the more appealing you’ll be as a potential hire.
One of the biggest challenges that interior designers face as an industry that I have struggled to overcome is the social stigma and lack of awareness around our profession. Though the title “Interior Designer” seems to be synonymic with “Decorator” and more and more often even “Influencer” in public opinion, there are great differences in qualification, experience, and abilities between these roles. I’ve found the answer to this challenge is just to educate potential clients as much as possible.
Unlike a decorator, a professional Interior Designer with a college degree like myself has taken classes on color theory, phycology of space, lighting, plumbing, construction, and materials. Our education has trained us to work directly with your contractors, architects and tradesmen, as well as confidently advise you on the pros and cons of the selections you’re considering, which helps you to invest wisely in your renovation. Professional Interior Designers can also create contract documents for you and your subcontractors like tile elevations, custom millwork drawings, and 3D renderings, in addition to helping with the more cosmetic elements that bring a space together in a beautiful, finished look.
What should we know about Olive + Oak Interiors? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I believe a well-designed home is the ultimate self-care. I specialize in an aesthetic I would describe as minimal with intentional character, and design with a less-but-better philosophy and create bespoke interiors with the intention of inspiring my client’s best life.
There are scientific studies that show that visual clutter is linked to cortisol production and stress, especially in women. I’m particularly fascinated by the phycology of space, and in optimizing homes not only aesthetically, but functionally. I believe that when you clear out excess décor for the sake of décor and prioritize fewer items that make a visual impact, you can create a more beautiful, livable environment.
This design philosophy involves looking at the layout of a space, as well as the layers of function and aesthetics and prioritizing and streamlining. I design for longevity, recommending installed finishes and items requiring a higher fiscal commitment be more timeless while balancing less expensive items with higher visual impact.
I also see design as a collaboration between myself and my client – I’m not here to push my personal aesthetics but to explore and inspire yours.
What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
I honestly have had such a positive experience in the world of female entrepreneurship, that I try to focus on the wins rather than barriers. Where there could be competition, I’ve seen a supportive community. Where there could be isolation, I’ve seen women coming together and empowering one another. Where there could be a lack of priority on female entrepreneurship and ingenuity, I’ve seen it’s vitality celebrated.
I am so thankful for all of this and attribute my fellow lady bosses and the support and resources they openly share to the success I’ve had so far. Thank you to each and every one of you, and especially to Katie of Hatched Collective for creating a safe space for us all to come together and cheer each other on.
Pricing:
- Our design services at this time are $125 / hr with a five-hour minimum
Contact Info:
- Website: http://oliveandoakinteriors.com/
- Phone: 858.869.7878
- Email: oliveandoakinteriors@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/oliveandoakinteriors/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oliveandoakinteriors/
Image Credit:
Vanessa Lentine, Brandi Schutt
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