Meet Stephanie Narewski

Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Narewski.

Hi Stephanie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
2020 was the year that changed everything for a lot of people, me being one of them! It was the year that changed my whole life’s trajectory.

I had previously worked in Healthcare Administration for over 15+ years in a management role. I had always been interested in the Fine Arts world, took art and design classes in high school and college, and thrived when my creative processes got to be explored. In 2020, COVID became a part of our lives, and to top the year off, I was going through my own personal infertility journey. Through numerous procedures, IUIs, IVF rounds, acupuncture, etc my husband and I had to come to the sad realization of children not being a part of our future. Through the sadness and darkness, one evening my husband and I sat down to have what would be one of the most powerful chats of our marriage (thus far). We decided to not let the sadness consume us but to make sure we lived “our best lives” to our fullest ability. This is where my story of becoming an interior designer truly began.

Interior Design has always intrigued me. When a designer can turn a plain room into a client’s dream space, it just makes my heart so full and happy! I decided to start researching ways to become an interior designer, classes to take, certification programs, etc. Through my exploring, I came across The New York Institute of Art and Design. After reading a description of their Interior Design Program I knew this was the program I was looking for. I received all the information I could about the program. I then remember sitting in my living room and crying. I was thinking can I actually do this? Can I make a good living from this? Do I have the courage to change careers at my age? Anyone that has gone through unsuccessful infertility procedures, knows the self-doubt you inflict after all the disappointing news we sadly become accustomed to. You think, “Nothing works out for me, why should this work out for me now?” Once I exhausted all the questions I could ask myself, I had this self-confidence come over me and KNEW I had the ability to make this into a fruitful and lasting career that had the ability to bring the joy back into the life that I was missing. At that moment I logged onto the NYIAD website and began my enrollment process.

After my courses concluded, I was now officially a certified Interior Designer! Wow, what a feeling this was. I wasted no time and continued my studies to take the Residential Interior Design Qualification Certification exam. Another stepping stone was then completed and now I had my eyes set on the big prize… setting up my own business! Whoa, me a business owner, WHAT A FEELING! I registered my LLC and officially opened Driftscape Design’s doors in August 2021.

I am lucky enough to be able to offer different design plan options for all my clients regardless of budgetary restrictions. My goal was to make interior design accessible to all and not just the extremely wealthy. Through my business, I am happy to be able to offer E-Designs which lets me work with people all over the United States and even the world. You can explore descriptions of all these plans on my website.

My hopes are to keep growing my business and helping as many people achieve the home of their dreams!

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?
Obstacles and challenges are always present in this industry and as a business owner. The fear of not having enough work at any given time is the risk we take.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
One of my favorite aspects about being an interior designer is seeing all the different styles my clients have. I like to pride myself in being able to work within any style that fits my client’s home.

I have had clients that want bright colors and eclectic furniture. I have also had clients that want modern, sleek, monotone spaces. The opportunities to explore all these design mediums and genres really are what makes my creative mind soar!

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and are any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Yes, the silver lining to come out of the COVID crisis was life is too short not to be happy. Everyone should follow their dreams and make their life exactly (or close to) what they hoped for!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://driftscapedesigns.wixsite.com/website
• Instagram: @driftscapedesigns