Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jesse Armstrong. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jesse, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. The first dollar you earn in a new endeavor is always special. We’d love to hear about how you got your first client that wasn’t a friend or family.

My very first client came to me in 2001 from my boss at the time. I was working as a junior designer for an interior design firm in San Diego. This was a small project where the homeowner needed help restoring original elements of his 1924 Spanish Colonial Revival bungalow that had been stripped away in the 1960s. I’m a sucker for anything built in the 1920s, and the home was in the beautiful Kensington neighborhood of San Diego, so I was very excited to take this project on. Happy to say there were no hurdles, growing pains or mishaps involved. The only drawback was the time it took for the city to grant permits.

I moved to Los Angeles in 2002, so I did not see the project to fruition; this was before I had any concept of working remotely and having a project in a different location. The renovations did turn out as planned and I saw it last year, 21 years after I worked on it. The restorations still look great!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Jesse Fisher Armstrong, and I’m an interior designer. I have been the owner of Los Angeles-based Fisher Fairmount Design since 2007. As long as I can remember, house design, decor, and architecture fascinated me. I grew up in Oxnard Shores, about 60 miles north of Los Angeles, during the housing boom of the 70s. I love the beach houses built there in the late 70s, early 80s. The way they maximized the space and made it feel airy and open, the strategic use of organic materials, and the flow into the outdoor landscape all speak to me as a designer.

My dad and I would collect scrap lumber at building sites and make blocks. I spent hours with my building blocks, designing houses and decorating with dollhouse furniture from my grandma. I also drew a lot: cars and house plans. After attending the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising here in Los Angeles, I worked for several high-end interior design firms and design showrooms in San Diego and Los Angeles until I opened my own firm.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Right after 2008, I had to make a pivot. I found myself with little design  work as a result of the 2008 market crash. I was hired part time to do furniture sales at a furniture store called Lawson-Fenning. I’m so grateful to have had that job. It kept me afloat for several years. I enjoyed working around beautiful, well-made mid-century modern furniture all day, and found the interaction with customers to be beneficial since I’m very much an introvert. Working there helped me out of my shell.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

The world is increasingly complicated, stressful, and uncertain. Creating serene living spaces allows me to play, keeps me sane and helps my clients live more harmonious lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: fisherfairmountdesign.com
• Instagram: fisher_fairmount_design

Image Credits
Andrew Thiels, Bella’s,y Photography, Izumi Tanaka