Conversations with Jessica Stambaugh

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Stambaugh.

Alright, thank you for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
I got started in New York City – my first “real” job was assisting the Creative Director at Domino Magazine. While there, I fell in love with decorating and the industry in general, and ultimately went back to school for interior design and the history of decorative arts. While in grad school, I teamed up with a classmate, and we started taking on design clients and selling vintage furniture and accessories. We worked together for 5 years until I moved to Nashville in 2017.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Generally, yes, but no road is entirely smooth! Struggles have been more operational and on the business end, i.e., how to grow, what type of business we want to be, how to bill, and how to stay creatively inspired while handling the day-to-day logistics. We’ve sought advisors along the way – but it’s an ongoing discovery process. I always felt a strong calling that this career path and industry felt exciting and well-suited, and I still feel that way.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For readers who might need to become more familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
We create unique interiors that are eclectic, inviting, and inspired by classic design principles. Our specialty is working with residential and boutique commercial clients who love color and want to express a personal style, whether for their home or brand. More than just picking the paint and furniture, our process is like creative direction for the house and lifestyle around it. Unique sourcing sets us apart. We work hard to be original in our sourcing and the mix of resources within each project. This might be seeking unusual fabrics and materials, custom work with local and global craftspeople, or finding offbeat accessories from unlikely shops and resources. Establishing the mix for each project keeps the work exciting and challenging. I’m proud of our sourcing approach and that we’ve started to make some of our own products with local ceramic and wood artists.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting?
Work for experts. It can help cultivate one’s abilities and open doors to being around experts in action. I wish I had spent more time working for someone with 20+ years of experience. The times I did were invaluable.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.js-interiors.com
• Instagram: @jstam

Image Credits
Top Left – right Brett Wood Sian Richards Sian Richards Sian Richards Stacey Van Berkel Stacey Van Berkel Sian Richards Curtis Millard