My path to becoming an interior designer, part 2.

Part 1 here.

So, when we left off, my husband and I had bought our first house. Yay!

Home ownership was a big deal to me. The only home my family had owned previously was a manufactured home, aka. trailer, which worked really well when we were living in various states due to the military.

We were so happy to get those keys and the very first thing we did when we got to our new home was run around the house screaming. What a sweet memory!

The very next thing we did was start ripping out carpets 😆. This home was a pretty original 1970s and needed some updating. We laid new flooring, switched a bathroom around to create a master bedroom/bathroom, painted the wood ceiling and updated the kitchen.

Everything we did to that house was a learning experience and I'm so glad we did all that work, even though it was difficult at that time. We learned how to pick paint colors that didn't look hideous on the wall, lay flooring, paint cabinets, patch drywall and so much more.

We actually lived in the basement the first six months because our renovation touched every part of the first floor. Lesson learned...renovations ALWAYS escalate!

Enjoy these lovely photos of my annoyed expressions and our renovation in progress.

I wish I had a picture of how I painted a different color on three of these kitchens walls...all a different shade of blue, before realizing my mistake 😂

This house started a pattern that would continue to this day. Every house that we've lived in the past ten years, we've renovated in some fashion. I can think of one exception...our first rental house in Colorado. I don't think we can help ourselves at this point, it's just who we are.

We've learned some lessons along the way (that paint color you chose in the store is going to look WAY different on the wall) and also we've gained experience in the home renovation and building world. It's always been something we've done on the side, but recently we've decided to take it bigger.

It was taking a Sketchup course from Claire at the Little Design Corner that really reignited my passion for creativity, design and construction. After finishing that course, I was hungry for more. I decided to get a certificate from the New York Institute of Art and Design, which was so amazing. I learned so much and with my 10+ years of construction combined with the foundation that NYIAD gave me in interior design, I was ready for more.

Once I earned my certificate, I wanted more. I had gotten a taste of what having daily creativity in my life and I wanted much more. It was a chance Youtube video that brought me to my next adventure, the Interior Designer's Business School by Jo Chrobak.

I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I signed up for this course, but it wildly exceeded my expectations. It was everything that I always wanted and everything I never knew I wanted. I wouldn't describe myself as a business person before this course, but she really awakened a part of me that I never knew I had. I can't say enough good things about her interior design program.

And here we are in the present day. Jamie Yoachim Design is a culmination of my past experiences and education with my desire to provide beautiful homes for families today. I'm so excited for this next phase of learning and growing. I hope you follow along ❤️