We had the good fortune of connecting with Jennifer (Jen) Lossing and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer (Jen), why did you pursue a creative career?
It was 2004, My Husband and I just got married. I was working with computers and he was working on obtaining his Masters Degree. We lived on his school campus in a tiny apartment with teal carpet. It was the ugliest carpet I had ever seen, yet I was able to turn it into a beautiful living space for us. Our friends would come to visit, they would say how impressed they were with how I made the ugly teal carpet look so good. One day a friend of mine said to me, “You should become an Interior Designer!” I said ok, That sounds like something I might be good at. So I enrolled at the Art Institute of Phoenix the following week and 3.5 years later, I earned my Bachelors in Interior Design. Fast forward 15 years, and I now have my own successful, Interior Design Studio!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
People always ask, what is the difference between an Interior Decorator and an Interior Designer? An Interior Designer is a professional who has acquired the expertise, knowledge, and skills, through a combination of education, experience, and examination, to create interior environments that meet the requirements of and present solutions for their clients. Interior Designers may decorate, but decorators do not design. Interior Design is the art and science of making a space soothing to the eyes and making it aesthetically as well as holistically beautiful. Interior Design is a multifaceted profession that include conceptual development, space planning, site inspections, programming research, communication between parties, construction management and execution of the design.

Peoples needs and desires are so diversified that no two projects are the same. I still get to excited at the beginning of each new project. Even though I’ve been practicing Interior Design for over a decade, it still feels fresh and new with each client. Design is always evolving and always changing according to the needs of the end user.

No good success story happens over night. Mine has been 15 years in the making. I got myself to where I am today professionally by putting one foot in front of the other. I just keep going, never giving up. Staying positive, motivated and inspired. I am always trying to improve myself and my business to better serve my clients. Most importantly, I try not to let my obstacles define me. I do the best I can until I know better, Then I when I know better, I do better. Each new project is a new creative journey. Its not just about selling the product; it is about the experience too.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I have lived in Arizona since 2000 and I have fallen deeply in love with this State! There are so many things to do, so many places to see and to go! One of my favorite things to do here is to kayak the Salt River. Its so beautiful to float down the river and take in the sites and sounds of nature. The Eagles flying overhead, or a group of wild horses coming down to the banks to drink. Its such a good time every time!

Another favorite thing of mine to do with friends or out of town guests, is to go wine tasting! Most people don’t know that Arizona has over 30 wineries. I have had the good fortune of visiting the wineries in both Northern and Southern Arizona. Each winery offers a unique experience and different landscape. I love the wineries in Valley Verde. The wines are delicious and the views of the red rocks and canyons that surround the area are breathtaking. The wineries in Sonoita are just as delectable and the view just as magical with rolling hills and planes long grasses. If wine isn’t your speed, they have two distilleries and offer varieties of craft beer too!

When my family and I are looking for some local nourishment, we always visit our favorite Mexican restaurant; Salsa Cabana. Their chicken enchiladas with the red sauce are to die for! I’ve often asked them when they are going to start bottling their red sauce. I would buy it by the case, it’s so yummy!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would love to dedicate this shout out to every single person who has supported, loved, and encouraged me along the way. Thank you to: My Mom! My Professors and Directors; Ms. J and the late great Dr. Carrol Marrow! Thank you to my Husband who has been patient and encouraging along this journey with me. To my friends and family that always have my back and are my constant support system. To all my former bosses, former colleagues and my current colleagues. Thank you to all my reps, vendors, and contractors, I am only as good as my team!

Website: www.artisticabodedesigns.com

Instagram: @artisticabodedesigns

Facebook: @artisticabodedesigns

Image Credits
Nick (Interior photographs)
Elizabeth Chapman Photography (Head Shot)

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