Jess Mardi is a Los Angeles-based interior designer dedicated to facilitating an empowering network for young professionals within the industry. We sat down with her to discuss the role of art in her design process and how she has cultivated a broader appreciation for different art forms.
Welcome to our Inner Worlds series, where we step into the personal realms of art lovers from all walks of life, exploring the profound ways in which art is integrated into their lives.
Delve into Jess’s artistic universe, with a hand-picked selection of her favorite pieces on SINGULART:
Can you introduce yourself, your background, and what you do for a living?
I’m an interior designer and industry connector based in Los Angeles. I knew from a young age that interior design was my path, nothing else had ever really crossed my mind. I got my start with a degree from Pratt Institute and internships in NYC. However, for the last seven years, I’ve resided in LA, where I’ve had the opportunity to gain experience collaborating with other skilled designers on projects for renowned clients. About a year ago, I began to make real strides in the industry by launching my own firm, simultaneously launching a new venture after recognizing unmet needs within our industry.
What inspired you to pursue a career in interior design?
The true origin story of my passion for design is a sweet, albeit cheesy one: My mom went out of town for the weekend and I decided I was going to redo her bedroom, HGTV-surprise style. Her room was the only one in the house she had never put energy into, and I thought it was about time to change that. I painted, made her some wall art, even convinced my dad to get new carpet installed. I was sitting on her bed waiting for her when she came home and I’ll never forget the look on her face. That was the first time I felt how humbling and meaningful it is to create a space for someone to feel at home and at peace. I still experience that same feeling when my clients walk into their home for the first time. It is truly such a privilege.
How would you describe your design style/philosophy, and what principles guide your approach when designing spaces?
I’m someone who wants to push the boundaries. I love dramatic materials, exciting textures, and unconventional pairings that somehow just work. I’m not someone who wants to play it safe, but it’s my client who gets to decide in the end. I truly believe in prioritizing my clients’ personal design styles over my own, since they are the ones who will be living in the space. Of course, I’ll still always use my eye and infuse my flair–there are a few things I’ll always stand by. A home should feel collected, comfortable and approachable. It should show off your memories and personality. And of course, no space is complete without mixing in some vintage elements. My job is to advise my clients and try to convince them of the magic that exists beyond their own imagination.
What have been some of the memorable projects or achievements in your career as an interior designer?
There’s something incredibly fulfilling about seeing a vision you imagined in your mind and sketched by your own hand come to life as a real-life space you can stand in. That feeling never gets old. The journey from point A to point B can sometimes take years, during which, you pour so much of yourself into the project throughout its duration. Every single install feels like the greatest thing you’ve ever done.
My single paramount achievement thus far has been founding To The Trade, an events-based networking community for interior designers and other like-minded professionals. I’m very passionate about connecting smart and talented people, because I believe it’s incredibly valuable. I host events independently and in partnership with brands, always including activities aimed at facilitating genuine connections. The younger generation of designers really need a welcoming space where it’s less about competition and more about mutual support. To The Trade embodies a ‘there’s space for us all to win’ mentality.
How does art influence your design process and aesthetic preferences, both personally and professionally?
Art is one of the absolute most important elements in my design process, given its profound impact and significance. It can change the entire vibe of a space in an instant. I think it should be meant to stand out as a focal point, not just something used to fill wall space. As a designer, personally sourcing the art for my projects is so vital to me because of its aforementioned power. At the same time, art is incredibly personal. I always say that you know a piece of art is right for you when you see it and can’t live without it. The client needs to love the pieces they’ll be encountering daily. It’s my job to carefully source works that fit into my design concept, evoke the proper emotions, and ultimately, the client has the final say.
Do you have a personal art collection, and if so, how do you incorporate it into your living space?
Our art collection is something that we’re so proud of, and we intended for it to be the center of attention in our home. When I first met my fiancé, I was surprised to learn that he had a pretty substantial knowledge and collection of street art. Until then, that genre really never interested me and just wasn’t within my breadth of interests. However, seeing his passion, I began to pay more attention to it, and he has since introduced me to that world. When we moved in together, I wanted our walls to be filled with things we both loved, so we started framing some pieces from his collection. Truthfully, some of it took a while to grow on me! Funny enough, I now absolutely love it. I think we’ve done a great job so far of mixing our two styles (I’ve always been one for contemporary abstract painting), and we’ve continued to grow our collection together. Adorning our walls are works by Invader, Jerkface, C.R. Stecyk III, Addfuel, and David Heo, to name a few. We’re now also getting into collecting sculpture. The traffic cones on our coffee table are originals by Sophie Lynn Morris. We’ve always said, our goal is to have an ‘art house’. Sure, I love beautiful furniture too, but I wanted it to remain understated, enabling the colors and patterns on the walls to captivate attention. There’s no doubt that one day we’ll have way more art than walls to put them on!
Have you ever collaborated with artists for design projects?
I’ve yet to collaborate directly with an artist for a project, but collaborating with my Singulart Trade Consultant to source art for projects has been a game changer. I absolutely love sourcing art myself as much as I can, but it’s so valuable to be able to share my design plans and concepts with my Singulart consultant, and she’ll just know of the perfect piece to complete the space right away. One day, I hope I’ll find that perfect client who’s on board to collaborate with an artist, and cover an entire room with a hand-painted original mural. I definitely dream about that!
How would you describe the intersection between fine art and other creative disciplines?
Within design, fine art offers the greatest opportunity for creative freedom. While much of design is governed by technicalities such as ratios, balance, ergonomic standards, and building codes—there are so many guidelines that design and architecture must follow in order for a built environment to be feasible and functional—fine art is where we can let creativity soar unrestricted and just focus on emotion.
As a busy professional, how do you find balance between your career and your personal life?
If I ever figure this one out, I’ll fill you all in on the secret! I’m passionate about what I do, but life is also meant to be lived. It’s definitely a difficult balancing act, and if I’ve learned anything, it’s all about choices and accepting that you can’t be everywhere at once. If there’s a deadline coming up and a ton of work to do, or my friends invite me for a weekend away, it might mean the house won’t be as clean and tidy at that particular moment. I think we all just do what we can, and the sun still rises and sets.
Looking ahead, what are your goals and aspirations for your career in interior design? Do you have any dream projects?
The possibilities are endless. I have so many ideas for where I want to take To The Trade: expanding into new cities, exploring publication avenues…I see potential for expansion in every direction.
The same goes for myself as a designer; there are so many places I can go. My passion lies in residential design, but who knows? Maybe I will work on a boutique hotel one day, or perhaps take my design skills into the entertainment industry. My fiancé started his own production company and we are constantly talking about the future, imagining how one day our companies will split an office building, and all the ways we’ll find to collaborate. I don’t think that anything is out of the question.
What advice would you give to effectively incorporate art into an interior design project or everyday living space?
At the end of the day, the most important factor in choosing a piece of art for your space is simply that you love it. It is also important to note that it does not have to be expensive. I think a lot of people get intimidated by the thought of building an art collection because they assume it’s going to cost a fortune, but there are numerous affordable approaches. You can buy from smaller emerging artists, search thrift stores and flea markets, even download prints from online shops and frame them yourself. Take your time to find pieces that speak to you. There’s no need to rush when it comes to building a space that you love.
Delve into Jess’s artistic universe, with a hand-picked selection of her favorite pieces on SINGULART:
