Meet Brittany Wasstrom | Interior Designer/Decorator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brittany Wasstrom and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brittany, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Since my early twenties, I’ve always “known” that I would have my own business. I wasn’t sure at the time what it would be of, I just knew I would work for myself doing something I loved. I honestly started by jotting down my passions, goals, things I loved and that were of importance to me. Through doing that- I realized that my passions and the things I did everyday, were things that have helped heal me and get me to where I am today. If they helped me, they could help others.

So, I meditated on it. The name ” Intuitive Home” came to me with ease and felt exactly right.
Through writing down my passions, brainstorming and opening my mind up to how I have healed myself so far, I realized that I could share that with the world.

Services being:
1. Interior Decorating
2. Intuitive Crystal Styling
3. Smudging
4. Organizing

Each one of these have helped heal a little part of me. I enjoy incorporating each one of these within my life- So why not help others with doing the same.

I’ve always wanted to help others, I am an empath at heart, so it’s natural for me to want to listen to others stories and want to help. Knowing that I can’t always help- But i can listen and try.
The main reason I wanted to escape the 9-5 and be more flexible within my own career and life, was because a 9-5 working for someone else was limiting myself and restricting myself. It was NOT aligning with me anymore.

I am a creative. I am meant to wake up and see life differently every single day because it is.
There is always ebb and flow and I wasn’t able to reach that with a 9-5.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I think what sets myself a part from others is that I look at Interior Design from a spiritual lens. I take into account my clients environment- how they want to feel, see, touch, smell, all of the senses.
I want to make sure that what we are creating for our client is a reflection of this person with a little room for them to grow. As we grow, our style and everything else in life grows as well.

I intentionally and mindfully purchase items that reflect the above. I intentionally shop- thinking in terms of does this serve purpose or is it just to look pretty. Does this pillow feel soft and reflect how my client wants to feel when relaxing.
I think about every detail.

I am most proud of my “Luxury Airbnb’s”, I’ve done a few know and they are all amazing! My top favorite is the ELITE Airbnb. It was a project that was on a tight deadline and I got it done in 40 days. 3500 sft home. This project proved to myself that I can do big things!

I actually moved to Kelowna to take Fashion school. I’ve always loved fashion, creating, sewing etc.. When I was done the course, I realized I would have had to move somewhere else. Bigger. And, I didn’t feel like that at the time felt right for me.
So, I pivoted slightly, I started a job at a Home Decor Consignment store that led me to being the store manager. I fell in love with Home decor, styling, window displays and visual merchandising. I learned probably 80% of what I now, know from that job. That job is what started my love for deisgn.

Was it easy, I would say it was a lot of going against the grain. I have always seen a different life for myself. I have always wanted to share and create from an authentic place- and my business is that for me.
I never gave up on myself, I always put myself out there, dedicated time to this career and worked hard towards this goal.

Lessons….

You need balance between your career and personal life. I have found because my business doesn’t feel like work for me, it sometimes can feel like everything in my life. So, making sure to take breaks and really attend to my personal life and make sure that I am still nurturing ME.

Business is business. You can gain friends out of clients, but always keep it separate no matter what.

To be present and really understand what you are doing. Creating. and always be grateful.

You have to be strong minded. At the beginning it can feel overwhelming when it comes to all of the things you have to balance and take care of, also understanding the ebb and flow of having a business- depending on your industry. Understanding the slow times & busy times.

I would like to share that if you are someone that has big dreams, goals and have always wanted to start a business or piece of art or travel somewhere- whatever it is, YOU CAN DO IT. Believe in yourself. Visualize it. Feel it. We are more powerful than we believe.
I am here wanting to help people understand their environments and how they can affect us. They do!
Understanding the connection between ourselves and our environments.
It’s not just design- Its understanding our design as humans too. Understanding why we like certain fabrics, colors, woods, etc..

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.
First off, I would make sure they had an input. See what interests them, things that they like doing in their home town, but that we can do here- just slightly differently.

I would probably take them to a few really nice wineries. I live in wine country, so there is an abundance of wineries here.
I would make sure we enjoy nature, maybe a hike or two- a creek walk, see the views- as there are a lot!

I would make reservations at restaurants that are a little more unique and local to our city.
Gather-Curious-Okanagan waterfront restaurant- winery for dinner- maybe homemade oven pizza.

I love supporting local shops, so I would take them to a few local shops around town.
We would obviously take some beach time out of the visit and walk along the waterfront, listen to live music and enjoy the sunshine.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I luckily was surrounded by some amazing people when I started my business. I was working at a Furniture Showroom when I started my business- So my boss at the time was one person who encouraged me and supported me. (Lavish Design- Kelowna, BC)

Through past jobs and experiences as well, I was surrounded by other designers that supported me and helped me get my feet on the ground. If it was collaborations, events, sharing my posts or my business on social platforms, it was all super helpful and I will always be grateful for that.

I don’t think people give themselves enough credit either. So, I am going to thank myself. I believed in myself, stayed true to myself and never gave up!
I have expanded myself beyond what I ever thought I could and have completely stepped out of my comfort box.

Website: www.intuitivehomekelowna.com

Instagram: @intuitivehome.kelowna

Facebook: Intuitive Home