Today we’d like to introduce you to Letecia Ellis Haywood.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Letecia. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My story started once I graduated from Sam Houston State University in December 2004. Armed with an interior design degree, I was ready to take on any opportunity given in the design field.
By February 2005, I was working for two independent interior designers, a custom home builder and a furniture store part-time. As soon as I was offered a full-time position with the custom home builder, I took it immediately (working seven days a week & two jobs a day wasn’t ideal or sustainable)!
From there, I learned home construction design and after the housing market burst in 2008, I had to redirect completely. I was able to land a job in the industry working for an interior designer as their design assistant. Four years later and looking for a change, I met Laura Umansky with Laura U Interiors in 2012. And the rest is history! Six 1/2 years later, I’m the Principal Interior Designer for the boutique interior design firm.
Has it been a smooth road?
I have so much love for home construction design so when the housing market burst in 2008, it was a huge blow. I learned quickly that stability isn’t always guaranteed and that being nimble is a must.
Additionally, being a creative in this field, having your design voice heard can sometimes be a bit difficult (especially when working for someone else). This all changed when I started at Laura U Interior Design. Laura empowered me to find my design voice and become confident in my choices when working with clients.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I work for Laura U Interior Design which was founded in 2006 by Laura Umansky. We are a full-service design firm that creates residential interiors with a Classically Current point of view. Blending iconic design with a modern edge, our interiors are bold and timeless. Our core focus is to create a beautiful legacy for our clients as well as an unparalleled experience from start to completion. Our process of design is what sets us apart from other design firms.
As Principal Interior Designer, I lead a team of six designers and guide them to create compelling interiors that are a reflection of our clients’ aesthetic. In addition to this, I’m in constant contact with all clients throughout the design process. My number one goal is to make sure our clients are happy and that our team is delivering a quality product!
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Absolutely! Houston is a large city with a diverse clientele. That means that there is a market for everyone and enough work to go around!
For those looking to get into the design field, I recommend researching interior design programs at the local colleges/universities to get started. Also, there are many local internship opportunities available so you can earn while you learn. There’s nothing like getting a feel of real-world when starting out!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.laurauinteriordesign.com
- Phone: 713-522-0855
- Email: info@laurau.com
- Instagram: laurauinteriordesign
- Facebook: laurauinteriordesign
Image Credit:
Jericka King, Julie Soefer, Alan Blakely
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