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LOCAL STORIES
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
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Transforming Spaces for Wellness: The Power of Interior Design in Enhancing Health
One Designers Journey of Challenges That Inspired Wellness-Inspired Interiors
Published on:
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Ignite Business Insider shares the stories of businesses that are making an impact in their local markets. We highlight their stories in order to inspire entrepreneurial growth and to let readers learn more about businesses across the world that are growing and scaling.
Featuring
Rachel Schemmerling
Owner & Lead Designer
Timeless Living Designs
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Thank you for taking the time to sit with us and share your story. Can you share a little bit about you and your company?
Thank you! Thank you for the opportunity to share my story. This is fun! I founded Timeless Living Designs with the mission to elevate health and wellness through beautiful and comforting interiors, styled with traditional layers and classic details. Ever since I was a child growing up in a 275 year old colonial in Madison, Connecticut, I have been inspired by architecture and interior design.
A question so many people are interested in, is how you got started. Can you share a little bit about what you were doing before this, and what that moment was like for you when you decided to start this new journey?
In my early career, I managed a bed and breakfast out of a Victorian home and worked for the historic Mount Washington Hotel in New Hampshire. It was at Mount Washington that it dawned on me that classic architecture and decor was my passion, so I went back to school for design, opening a part time interior design business shortly after graduation and then a home furnishings consignment shop in Clinton CT in 2011 and then ultimately founding Timeless Living Designs in 2017.
However, it took a chronic autoimmune diagnosis for me to fully realize that great design goes beyond beauty and that it has the power to heal and support us.
Let's take a little bit of a detour, and rewind the clock a little bit. What did you want to be as a kid? And how did that influence the person you are today?
As a child, I was always playing in my playhouse and treehouse and didn't really think much about what I wanted to be when I grew up, but making those two spaces cozy and comfortable was something I naturally did all the time.
Have you fully let go of that childhood dream? And where do you see yourself going in the next ten years?
Not really, I enjoy making others feel comfortable. I love to create interiors that my clients feel at home in, that supports their lifestyle. In the next ten years, my goal is to build this company to a successful level that I continue to be a sought after company for wellness inspired interiors designing spaces for empty nesters and newly retired clients that seek luxury and are more aware of their overall well being. I'm also looking into doing speaking engagements that educate and discuss wellness at home through comforting interiors.
Now, I have found that with successful people, there is always someone pivotal as either a mentor, parent, teacher, or someone that you look to for advise, that helped set you on this path. Could you share who that person was? And what impact that had on the person you are today?
I've been very fortunate to have many women mentors along my path. First, the one woman that teaches me so much, is my very own project manager and friend, Mary. She and I work closely in the business and I always value her perspective and advice. She is one of those people that not matter what she has been through is always able to look at it in a way that helps you to grow as a person. Another would be designer Lisa Davenport, who allowed me to mentor in her office for a brief time when I was starting to come back to design after a five year hiatus to heal after my diagnosis. I learned so much from her.
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What was one take away that you learned from that person? And how did it translate into your business today?
Well, Lisa was so kind and made me realize that no matter what set backs I had, I was able to do anything I put my mind to. And that has carried me a long way. I'm forever grateful for that.
When we work with businesses, we focus a lot on their "Why?". What is your "Why"? What is the driver behind your company, and why you and your team wake up each day and give it your all?
My mission to elevate health and wellness through comforting interiors. When I came back to design, deep down I knew it wasn't just about pretty things and trendy colors. It goes deeper. And it means more to help people.
Let's dive deeper into your products and services. You already gave an overview, but how do your products or services help your customers? And what makes them different from your competitors?
I am known for creating classically elegant and comfortable spaces that feel like cozy, peaceful sanctuaries. Through drawing on my specialized education in wellness at home, I strive to source sustainable materials and layer in antiques, with spatial planning to promotes serenity while using color schemes and textures that also soothe and comfort. My ability to seamlessly integrate my expertise in integrative wellness techniques with my luxurious and bespoke design services gives me a distinct advantage in the market. My target clientele, high-end residential homeowners seeking to infuse wellness into their living spaces, are seeking a level of sophistication and personalization that my competitors cannot match.
Let's unpack that even further. Let's pick one aspect of your business. What makes it so unique? And how does it change you or your customer's experience?
What sets me apart is my unique focus on creating spaces that promote mental, physical, and spiritual well-being through evidence-based techniques. This includes optimizing elements such as clear air, clean water, natural light, chemical control, conscious consumption and recycling, food science, and behavioral strategies. By educating my clients on the benefits of natural light, chromotherapy, color psychology, fresh air ventilation, and spatial flow optimization, I am able to differentiate myself from my competitors and tap into the growing interest in wellness lifestyles and environments.
Let's dive into your customer's journey a little bit. Can you share with us, how do your customers discover you and your brand? What are their next steps? And what is the experience you would like to see your customers go on, when working with you and your brand?
As a boutique interior design firm, my work is guided by my core values of trust, integrity, compassion, and excellence. I firmly believe that good design directly impacts our health and wellness, and I am fully committed to upholding these values in every project I undertake. Most clients find us by word of mouth referrals.
I understand that my clients desire a home that exudes elegance and charm, without the stress and uncertainty that often accompanies the design process.
The experience, whether it's a new build or renovation, full or partial furnishings, my approach is defined by clarity and organization from the very beginning. I begin by providing our clients with a comprehensive proposal that outlines all project costs, including design fees, construction, furnishings, and freight.
In addition, I present a clear timeline, ensuring that there are no gaps of time when the client is left wondering about the progress of the project. Once the proposal is approved, I move into the Conceptual Design phase, where I tap into my creative expertise to develop innovative solutions that address the unique challenges of each project. I value my clients' input during this stage, encouraging collaboration and ensuring that their vision is fully incorporated.
From there, I transition into the Detailed Design phase, where I meticulously craft a specific design layout and plan that is ready to be executed upon client approval. My dedication to excellence extends beyond the design process - I oversee all aspects of the project, including purchasing, tracking, handling shipping issues, liaising with contractors, and providing comprehensive project management. This comprehensive approach ensures that my clients can rest easy, knowing that every detail is expertly taken care of.
Throughout the project, I prioritize open and constant communication with my clients. I believe that transparency is key to fostering a sense of trust and peace of mind. By keeping my clients informed every step of the way, they can stay fully engaged in the process and never have to experience uncertainty or unease regarding the status of their project.
My end-to-end service encompasses every element of the design process. From initial consultations to detailed drawings and renderings, space planning, sourcing of furnishings and fixtures, project management, and final installation, I handle every detail to ensure that our clients can simply relax and revel in the beauty of their exquisitely designed healthy home. That is what it is like to work with my brand.
Let's rave about your customers for a minute. Can you share a story about one of your clients or customers, that either touched your heart, or made an impact with you and your team?
We love all of our clients. One particular client was a single women, empty nester enjoying a home she purchased on a lake with the most spectacular views. Her primary bedroom was facing this great view but lacked color, comfort, organization and design. It was dark, filled with old furniture and acted more as a storage space. She has so many dreams and goals but was depressed when stepping into this room. So we completely refreshed this space with fresh paint, furniture, lighting and a new layout. The impact it had on her was life changing. She was in tears when she saw the finished room. She now has a desk that over looks the lake where she has started writing her book, she is doing morning yoga and dating again. I'm honored to be a part of change in someones life by designing spaces that support their lifestyle.
Everyone likes an inside scoop. What detail or secret about either you, or your company, is something most people might not know?
Hmm... that is a hard one to answer. I suppose most people don't know that I have MS... Multiple Sclerosis. I suppose it's not really a secret but I don't talk about it really. There has been more attention on this disease of late because some celebrities have brought it into the public eye while sharing their experience with it. It's an invisible disease and many people can't see what you are going through. I'm grateful for it as it has opened my eyes in so many ways. It reminds me of a quote, "Everyone is going through something you know nothing about. Be kind. Always." I don't know who said it, but it sure does nail it.
Final thoughts. What feeling or benefits would you like your customers or clients to take away when working with you and your team?
By providing my clients with unparalleled design solutions that not only meet their aesthetic preferences but also enhance their well-being, my clients feel seen, heard, understood, supported and frankly, loved.
Last question. How can people find out more about you and your company?
Best place to learn more about me, is at my website, www.timelesslivingdesigns.com, and I can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, Linked In and Pinterest. I also offer a monthly blog and newsletter. And we are working on offering a digital magazine as well. Towards the end of the year and into next year, I hope to be popping up as a featured speaker at various venues discussing wellness and interior design.
Thank you so much for sitting with us and sharing your story.
Thank you so much! It has been a pleasure talking with you. I have enjoyed this experience and really appreciate your willingness to share my story.
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