Over the last two decades within the interior design profession, I Kendra Chatterley have witnessed a lot of growth. While attending Wentworth Institute in Boston, I had a firsthand experience with the remnants of the Dot.Com financial impact and how it changed the interior design industry. These young companies had purchased the most sought-after locations and filled them with nothing but top of the line custom elements to signify their new success! The new and emerging industry incorporated a lot of debt as they prepared to settle into the big cities. Before many of the companies took residency in their new offices, they financially collapsed. When they went belly up, so did the industries that supported them. The real estate market took a major hit, as did the architects, design firms, construction companies, and all of the retailers that provided finish and furnishings for these over-the-top installations. It brought industries to their knees. As I had just received acceptance into my bachelor’s program, all I could do was watch as the interior design industry changed forever.
Just as weighted as the Dot.Com collapse was in the perception of my trade, there were many new chapters that we faced that would continue to evolve a very misunderstood profession. Employment positions were hard to come by after the Dot.Com collapse due to many companies closing or substantially downsizing. I found myself outside the hospitality and residential interior design firms that I had once worked in and located an opportunity in a cabinet showroom. My first day in the showroom was two days after 9/11. The world as we knew it had changed. Our lives were different. Anyone who was around at the time can remember that tragic day and the days to follow. It didn’t just change our perception of our world around us, but how we lived.
The construction industry witnessed a hesitation from consumers as people paused in their lives. The time spent with my clients within that cabinetry showroom was life changing. The projects that I once embraced in the firms did not hold the purpose or depth of the residential installations. Most of my clients were working class. Many had saved for a very long time to undergo this transformation within their home. I had clients that lost their job in the middle of work. Others lost parents. There were others that were diagnosed with a life changing illness. Our work together was very personal. And because we worked so closely together in the development of their home, I wasn’t just invested in selling them a kitchen, I was dedicated to helping them succeed in their project. It was a privilege to be a part of it all. I was passionate about empowering them with knowledge to exceed their expectations for what was possible. I enjoyed talking with my clients and helping them embrace the exciting journey they were undertaking. I had clients that returned after the completion of the project to tell me how the transformation of their kitchen changed their lives. They found themselves having more company by the house. That they began hosting events with family and friends. That they found themselves in a positive place at the start and end of their day due to our collaboration. It was at this point that I fully knew what I wanted to do professionally. I was able to share what I was passionate about and change people’s lives.
As time moved on from the dark days of 9/11, we found ourselves in another sort of debacle… the housing collapse of 2008. Again, with each stage of change that we experience, it offers us a chance to grow and evolve. It was during the despairing times of the housing crisis that I realized my talents could grow far past the ability to just help homeowners build, renovate and develop their homes, but that there were other industries that my knowledge could help empower. It was at this time that I began the build into the real estate market.
During the period of the housing collapse many neighborhoods were nearly abandoned. I can recall seeing the abundance of very sad and overgrown structures and noticing nothing but potential. For many it was the thought of resurrecting these buildings from the dead. It was here that I began to educate myself on the housing market and incorporating the science and psychology of design into assisting realtors and homeowners to find success. Whether they were buying, selling or developing, I realized that my knowledge could empower them through this big transition.
With the seeds being planted to where my talents could be best utilized, it was then that I discovered I needed to create a source of interior design support and guidance to any person who needed it. This is when Rise Interiors was born. Since the initial conception of Rise, I have been able to offer a wide variety of services to support an array of clientele, projects and budgets. As a small business, it is essential to help my clients connect with local trusted vendors and professionals for the additional support. As in any great accomplishment, it takes a team. I am dedicated as a team member to my clients and the professionals that I work with. Nothing short of a privilege.
