Faith Blakeney: Interior Designer
Tell us about your business, how you got started and why you’re passionate about it.
For me, home has always been a sacred space. I believe that our surroundings—our habitat— the backdrop of our lives, has a HUGE impact on the way we feel. When I opened my interior design studio over 10 years ago this was, and still is, at the heart of our design approach.
Interior design has always been a passion of mine, but I took a funny route to get here. I studied architecture at UC Berkeley with the idea of opening up an interior design studio. Shortly after graduating, I ended up in Florence, Italy, studying fashion, and opening a vintage clothing store with my sister Justina. After 10 years of running a fashion company in Italy & then NY, I felt called to “get back to my roots” in many senses, so I moved back to California and opened up Studio Faith Blakeney.
We design all sorts of spaces. We’ve done a yoga retreat in Ojai, a penthouse in Bogotà Colombia several rehabs for drug and alcohol addiction — but my first love is the home.
Agent Testimonial
“Faith has an extraordinary ability to meet a client and takes pause to observe, listen, and connect to them with uncanny ease. She’s unbound by rules and lets the creative energy guide her to brilliance. I always say to the client… “you gotta have Faith!”
— Compass agent Jennifer Cahill
What do you want real estate agents to know about hiring you?
We are a full service design studio and do projects in California, New York, and beyond. Our clients are often artistic, creative, open-minded, well travelled, demanding, grateful and awesome. We pride ourselves on creating long lasting and beautiful relationships with our clients.
Where do you see your field heading in the future?
I see a very bright future for our industry. I feel that people are coming to realize what an essential role a well-designed space can play on our wellbeing. Just think of all the money you can save on therapy! Just kidding, but only in part. I believe interior design truly does have the power to transform spaces and in turn transform lives.
Are there any trends in your field that you are a fan of?
I try not follow trends too much. We truly aim to create timeless spaces that our clients adore & thrive in for decades. For that reason, while I am inevitably privy to the latest trends of the season, my design inspiration tends to come from other sources. I’m inspired by nature and travel, my clients tastes, lifestyles, and the architecture of their homes also informs greatly the design direction. All that said, if I had to pick one design trend that I’m very into at the moment it would be biophilic design—now that is trend I will never tire of.
What is your favorite project you’ve worked on & why?
I feel blessed to say, too many to count! Recently we designed a kitchen and powder room in an old California Ranch style home. The house was a serious fixer upper, but with so much potential! This project was a very gratifying one because we got to see the clients go from being worried and overwhelmed at the immensity of the project, to them being utterly thrilled with their home—and even having some fun along the way!
“I try not follow trends too much. We truly aim to create timeless spaces that our clients adore & thrive in for decades.” – Faith Blakeney
How has your work changed since the pandemic and social distancing?
People spending so much time at home, many are realizing how much our homes can either inspire and nurture us, or, do quite the opposite. People are ready to invest in their homes and as such demand at our studio has never been higher! This is one way that our work has been impacted by the pandemic. We also have begun to take safety measures to accommodate to our clients needs and requests around Covid. This means more Zoom dates and less site visits for some. Recently before heading to an onsite meeting in Monterey, California, I got tested in order to be able to spend time onsite with a client who was quite quarantined. Strange times indeed, and we do what we can to be safe.
Contact Faith
Email: faith@faithblakeney.com
Website: www.faithblakeney.com