We recently connected with Jenna Klinske and have shared our conversation below.
Jenna, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
I learned more about interior design by shadowing experts. Builders, designers, architects, professors, installers, CEO’s of design firms – all these individuals have incredible skills. I find it important to learn from all sorts of people. Although I went to school for Interior Design, nothing has been more helpful then having connections with others in the field who are willing to give me the resources and education to help me succeed. Working in an environment with a high volume of projects has forced me to learn quickly, including from my mistakes. It is essential to stay on track, stay engaged, and to stay INSPIRED. Often, designers are busy and have multiple projects going on, and it can be exhausting on our innovative minds! Staying creative requires brain exercises. It requires community. And it requires time to get in a good head space.
There have been a few obstacles that have stood in the way. For a couple years, cabinetry plants were closed to tours for the public. I was also laid off from my first job for a while during quarantine. Despite these obstacles, I have worked my hardest to make up for the time and opportunities I initially missed.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I have been drawn to interior design since I was a kid. I spent a good portion of my childhood rearranging the furniture in my bedroom and watching house tours on YouTube. I always had a feeling that I wanted to devote my career to residential design. I went to community college for 2 years where I took classes pertaining to design. I learned about the history of architecture, how to draw floor plans, and how colors can affect mood. Following my college years, I was hired by a Kitchen & Bath Design company where I learned the ins and outs of cabinetry, countertops, hardware, tile, flooring, and so much more. Being held accountable for designing peoples kitchens and bathrooms made me very aware of my strengths and weaknesses. I quickly realized that I enjoyed working with clients and helping their ideas come to life. I also realized some of my ideas were not practical. But, rather than giving up on those ideas, it compelled me to problem solve. I now specialize in Kitchen & Bath Design and I work closely with builders and homeowners with selecting their interior finishes. I also help with their cabinet layout and creating a space for them that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional.
I am very proud of every job, no matter the size, I have had the privilege to work on. I am genuinely passionate about building a space that my clients can get excited about. Not only do I offer design services, I also provide my clients comfort and reassurance. I understand that decision making and commitment can be scary. But I also know that making bold decisions is what makes a design memorable and unique. I want people to know it is okay to think outside of the box. And it is okay to do things differently than everyone else. Have some fun with designing your home!
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I mentioned earlier that I have always felt called to be a designer. Unfortunately, getting to this point had some unexpected turns. When I was in college, I excelled in my design related classes. I did not do well, however, in my other classes. I had no drive or passion to learn about math, english, or sociology. Those were all classes that were required to earn a degree in Interior Design. Because I didn’t do well in those classes, I was dismissed from school. I was devastated and had no idea how to continue in a career that I thought required a degree. But, communication, connections, and a willingness to learn in any environment brought me to where I am today. I encourage everyone to be the best person they can be, and things will work out how they are supposed to.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My mission is to walk along side those who are building or remodeling their home. I encourage people to express themselves through their home. Your home is a piece of art that you get to live in! Use that to your advantage and create a place you look forward to waking up in every day. Put your own flair on it!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: klinske_kitchens
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-klinske-37268a178