Today we’d like to introduce you to Haley Beckham-Shetty.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have been a lover of design since I was small. My dad loves to tell the story of me going on a walk around the neighborhood as a toddler and throwing together a bouquet of wildflowers for the foyer. When I went to college, I wasn’t quite sure of my purpose. I jumped around multiple majors until I learned about Interior Design.
When I switched to the program- It was intense. I always struggled in school. But with Interior Design, I remember long nights/weeks in the studio before a deadline pouring myself into the work. It was all I could ever think about. My first internship was with a small-but-mighty interior design business. That work inspired me, and I later moved on to a larger firm where I worked on high-end residential homes.
Later I worked in the hospitality space, giving clinical spaces a residential feel. My work throughout these industries helped me understand people and what makes them feel at home. And further, the ins and outs of the industry.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I wouldn’t call it smooth. As I fore-mentioned, I wasn’t the best student. I loved the design but I still really struggled in the program. Before I could complete my studies, I moved home to help my parents with our family business. I think at this point I kind of lost my spark for design. It took me a few years of prioritizing the wrong things, but I’m so grateful I found my way back.
During the peak of the pandemic, I was working a full-time job and decided to return to school. It was a lot to juggle the two but it was really important to me that I did it. I think I had a bit of imposter syndrome because I didn’t take the straightforward route that most designers do. However, If I had to do it again, I don’t think I would have changed my path. I feel very grateful for my experiences.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Last year, I embarked on my latest journey, Bex Interiors. After helping so many designers achieve their vision, I felt ready to pursue my own. My practice is focused on high-end residential spaces in the Nashville area. My design style is contemporary with textural elements and a focus on shape/scale. I’m very inspired by designers like Athena Calderone and Kelly Wearstler.
However, what I love about residential design is stepping away from my style and comfort zone. I enjoy stepping into my client’s view and learning – how they are functioning in their space. What is inspiring them? what is THEIR style? Challenging myself to create from that space is what keeps my job interesting. It’s also what makes my design process successful. At the end of a project, I want my clients to feel like they are in their dream homes.
As my clientele grows, I’m hoping to move in a direction where I have my hands in product design. I love the idea of building a collection that aligns with my aesthetics to incorporate into projects. Most currently, I am curating a line of fabrics and wallpaper with a dear friend and Raleigh-based artist, Sarah Rain. So I am excited to see where that aspect of my business goes.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I grew up in Jackson, MS. When I was in high school, I dreamed of leaving my small town and moving to a bigger city. As the years have gone on, the desire to live in a large city weakens and my desire to be close to family grows. I think what I do love about Nashville is that it fulfills those needs simultaneously.
One thing that gives me pause about Nashville is the prevailing design aesthetic you see around town. At my first internship, my boss always told me jokingly that I needed to move to Miami because I wasn’t going to find clients who fit my niche here. I do think that is changing quickly.
Contact Info:
- Website: bexinterior.design
- Instagram: @bexinteriorsnashville
Image Credits
Zoe Dannenmueller and Aaron Ingram
