We were lucky to catch up with Leslie Archila recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Leslie , thanks for joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?
I love my job! I see it as like I’m always trying to create something beautiful, fun, creative and overall functional. It is that challenge of figuring out how to combine all of those elements in one space and make it all work together. One of the things that I enjoy the most is at the end of the project seeing it all together and seeing how happy my clients are, that’s a really gratifying feeling.
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?
I’m an Interior Designer, graduated back in 2000 from UNIS (Universidad del Istmo) in Guatemala. I live in Baltimore, MD and I’m basically a hybrid of employed/contractor/independent designer. I have a close relationship with a locally owned and small business”Su Casa”. We have basically worked together on 90% of my projects for almost 14 yrs now, which is basically the time that I have being living in Baltimore. Thanks to this relationship I’ve been able to grow my client portfolio. I’ve always considered myself kind of crafty. I remember growing up one of the things that I enjoyed the most was making little dresser for my dolls. I would use any scrap of fabric that I could find and make little dresses. I don’t think that they were that good, but I do remember having fun making them. In school I wasn’t the best at math or science, but I was definitely good in arts. I think I always knew that I needed to be in a creative kind of carrier.
As an Interior Designer I consider myself as a guide for my clients. I basically help them figure out the right layout for their rooms, their decor style, the kind of pieces that they need to get the comfort and quality they need, etc.
I think that what I’m really proud of in this business is to keep getting referrals from my clients. I love when a new client tells me that their friend said that I did a great job and they should use my service. This is something that I work hard for everyday to make sure that keeps happening because there is no better way to gain your clients trust, that being referred by a person they know.
I want my client to know that I’m a really simple person that enjoys what I do and I like to make the whole process not complicated. I try to have a very basic and simple process because I think that my clients are looking for help not for more work or procedures that will overwhelm them. From the way I charge to the way they select their pieces and purchase their furniture, the whole process is very smooth and simple, but with great results.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Bringing joy to your clients. I know that in this field, at the end of the project, the client gets to see and enjoy their or my vision and that’s a rewarding feeling.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Yes, I’m hoping that at some point in my life I would be able to create designs for the public/non specific clients that they can just go and purchase without having to deal with all kinds of procedures or visiting tons of stores. Designs that would fit your specific style, taste, function and the perfect comfort ergonomically wise.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lesliearchila.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archila_interiors/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lesliearchilainteriors
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-archila-35673b90/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/29c2e0c5727ee8ecc21651b51bf071/
Image Credits
I have the rights to the pictures I sent you. leslie