Today we’d like to introduce you to Shauna Speet.
Hi Shauna, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
When I was fresh out of design school, I lacked something crucial: experience. I was too young to have the knowledge and experience of how a kitchen flowed, how a room needs to be able to change when hosting a gathering, or how vital a drop zone is when entering the home with your arms full.
So instead of going right into interior design- I started out refinishing furniture. Then I would fix broken furniture that was brought me before refinishing it, learning how the pieces were assembled. Pretty soon people were asking me to build them furniture, it started with coffee tables and side tables, then larger dining tables and benches, and by the end I was building solid wood beds, harvest tables, and even a few conference tables.
While I was building furniture, I was gaining the experience I needed to truly study how a home functions while my husband and I became parents and started our family.
I switched my focus back to interior design once I felt I was ready to share what I had learned though my lived experience with anyone who would listen. I started my Instagram account to do just that- share my love of design and functionality with liked minded people.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One obstacle I have had to overcome is time- as a mom I simply can’t give as much time as I would like to my work if I am not willing to let some other things fall down the priority list. So for now, I keep reminding myself that my “full throttle” days of work are still ahead of me, and that helps me appreciate this time while my kids are young that much more.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
One of the most fun things I can think of is to envision something in my “minds eye”, to see the potential of a home, canvas, pile of wood, and then see that come to life. I am incredibly fortunate to get to do just that as my job.
Learning SketchUp (a 3D design software) was such a fun way for me to be able to illustrate what I see in my mind and show clients what is possible for their homes.
I will never get tired of trying to see the possibility and the beauty in a home, no matter how “un-charming” it starts out as.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up I was always creating something: forts, games, DIY projects, and lots of painting. Creating has always been my preferred past time!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shaunaspeet.com
- Instagram: shauna.speet.interiors
