Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Workman.
Hi Michelle, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started out with Interior Design as a side-gig supporting my acting career. I also worked as a Florist, Personal Chef, and Assistant during this time period in my 20’s. At the time I was friends with an A-list Celebrity and after she saw one of my designs, she encouraged me to pursue it as a career. I realized then that I was a far more talented designer, than actress and took her advice to heart. She immediately began referring other big Hollywood celebrities to me, and my career took off!
I have always believed in delivering the most impeccable service to my clients and that, paired with my discretion, earned me a very loyal client following and many referrals.
It was a tough decision to move my family across the country to a place where we didn’t know a soul, but I wanted my children to grow up in a gentler environment than LA had become since my own childhood.
Since being in the South I have really enjoyed merging my LA roots and aesthetic with the Southern culture of design – it has made for some incredibly unique projects that I am very proud of!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think the biggest struggle early on was overcoming my own ego when dealing with clients. I had to get over the fact that not everyone could see things the way I saw them, and it was my inability to effectively communicate that was preventing them from understanding why I was choosing elements of their design as I was. Once I set my ego aside I was able to more effectively communicate, which of course led to their understanding and approval of what I was presenting them as a design.
The second biggest obstacle was rebuilding my very well-known Los Angeles based practice in the South when we moved to Chattanooga. While I was able to maintain West Coast clients the travel was exhausting, so I had to build quickly to start picking up more local and Southeast clients. Fortunately it was only a few years before the local clients started to reach out and I could scale back on the travel.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in Residential Design. I am known nationally within the design industry for my ability to mix modern and antique silhouettes, and unique viewpoint in marrying patterns and colors, all while still maintaining a cohesive holistic design. I can do any genre of design and in fact have purposely avoided a “signature look” throughout my career. I love the thrill of always trying new things, and unexpected combinations when designing an interior to reflect the client’s tastes and aesthetic.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://michelleworkman.com
- Instagram: @michelleworkmaninteriors
