We were lucky to catch up with Bridget Cooper recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Bridget thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

Moving to New York at 18, my initial focus was fashion. I was passionate about showcasing New Zealand designers through nightclub fashion shows and collaborations, including one with Jimmy Choo. However, life took an unexpected turn at 23 when I became pregnant. Returning to New Zealand for the birth of my daughter, I faced a challenging situation as my partner decided to move to London.

With no immediate plan or financial resources, I found myself a single mother in New Zealand. Embracing a spirit of unconventionality and big dreams, I rented my grandmother’s small cottage. During my daughter’s sleep, I started painting and creating an interior space reminiscent of my New York apartment. This marked the beginning of my love for interiors.

My life continued to evolve with two more children and a move to a country house in Martinborough, New Zealand – a long-held dream of raising my children with a connection to nature. The rundown state of the house presented an exciting design challenge. Soon after, my partner’s job took us to Chicago, requiring me to manage the entire house renovation remotely via phone and email in a pre-FaceTime and Zoom era. Despite the difficulties, I successfully created a beautiful country retreat that became a sought-after venue for special events and luxury stays.

While working on the New Zealand project, I began to acquire interior design clients in Chicago, a stimulating shift that involved designing high-rise apartments, large family homes, and creative offices. Our next move in 2015 was to San Francisco, where I further expanded my client base, working on Victorian homes in Pacific heights district to Spanish-style and luxury country houses in Marin County and Napa Valley.

The onset of Covid led my family to seek a smaller town feel in Ojai, California, where I decided to pursue my dream of opening a boutique hotel. My work also expanded into larger design-build projects in Los Angeles, with homes around 12,000 sq ft and budgets reaching $20 million. This phase allowed me to delve into custom furniture design and deepen my knowledge of hospitality and hotel development.

Unfortunately, encountering fraudulent investors derailed my hotel project, and I also navigated a divorce. This period of rebuilding, reminiscent of my circumstances at 23, required relentless focus to ensure my children’s well-being. Today, I am grateful to collaborate with hotel development groups, contributing to the conceptualization and interior design of projects slated to open in 2027. I am also developing my own furniture line, focusing on creating beautiful, functional, and restorative spaces.

I strive to instill in my children the importance of bravery and big thinking, encouraging them to take small steps towards their dreams daily. My next endeavor, designing and building my family’s sustainable future home, is deeply personal. Creating a space for generations to come, where we can live off the land, care for animals and the environment, and share meaningful moments with loved ones around a dinner table, defines success for me.

Looking back, I recognize the value of overcoming challenges, as they have cultivated gratitude for life’s simple joys and fueled my drive and confidence as a sought-after creative.

Sincerely,
Bridget Cooper

BRIDGET COOPER DESIGN
WWW.BRIDGETCOOPERDESIGN.COM
+1 3129527430

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

As a designer and brand creator, I often find that my clients lack confidence or struggle with knowing or visualizing a space. A crucial part of my role is to guide them toward a vision where the project will be successful. Listening attentively to their wishes, whether for a small baby’s room or a large hotel concept, is paramount. My job is to understand their dreams and lead them through the process of bringing those dreams to life.

However, it’s not always easy. Interior projects frequently involve high stakes, expensive materials, complex environments, and multiple teams. Therefore, thorough communication skills are essential. It’s important to address problems directly and see them through. Miscommunications can arise, making it vital to document everything in writing and with video, allowing for calm and productive issue resolution.

In furniture design, attention to detail, precise measuring, and careful fabric checking are critical. A single inch of error can prevent a piece from fitting correctly, a slight variation in a color swatch can be significant, and a flaw in design detailing can impact the entire project.

Setting realistic client expectations is also key. Everyone desires their home to be completed on budget and on time, and for hotel projects, delays can lead to significant financial and emotional stress for investors. Establishing healthy budgets and realistic timeframes is essential to avoid disappointment and under-delivery. Building trust and being reliable are fundamental to excelling in this field.

With experience, I’ve learned the importance of prioritizing my own wellness and serenity. I can’t effectively serve my clients if I’m low on energy, sleep-deprived, or haven’t taken care of my basic needs. It’s when I’m tired or stressed that mistakes are more likely to happen.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I wanted to share some of my thoughts on how I’ve shown resilience, particularly after going through a messy divorce where I felt like I lost everything I had built over the past 20 years. Starting from scratch to rebuild my family has been incredibly challenging.

In moments when confidence and hope felt distant, focusing on manifesting a better tomorrow became my guiding force. I truly believe there is always a path forward and a solution to be found. Being brave enough to let go of others’ opinions and instead focus on the bigger picture for the future, while also practicing grace and gratitude for the things I still had, has been key.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I firmly believe that the future of design lies in creating spaces that enhance our ability to spend quality time with loved ones. Furthermore, I see great value in incorporating elements that promote a degree of self-sufficiency, particularly in terms of food and shelter. By thoughtfully integrating these principles, I aim to create spaces that are truly forward-thinking and supportive of a fulfilling lifestyle..

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Bridgetcooperdesign.com
• Instagram: Bridgetcooperdesign
• Linkedin: Bridgetcooperdesign