It takes a special kind of talent to see a space and know how to transform it into one that is both beautiful and functional. For many interior designers, it takes many classes and practice to develop an eye for design, but for interior designer Shelby Westergard, it has always come naturally.
Shelby has 20-plus years of interior design experience and has been the owner of Defining Spaces, an interior design business, since 2008, but her pull towards home design traces back to when she was a young girl.
Down the road from where she grew up was a historic farmhouse that she and her friends regularly passed when riding their bikes, and each time, Shelby felt drawn to it. “When we’d be riding our bikes, I would pretend that I was going home, and I would pull down the long driveway of that house,” Shelby said. The allure of this unique home set the tone for her future.
During her high school years, her passion for interior design grew. Rather than spending her Friday nights out, she instead dragged her friends to the Parade of Homes and other events alike. Her passion for interior design was apparent and only grew when her father asked her for help with design ideas for some properties he owned.
After high school, she worked as a full-time nail technician, where she met her first unofficial design client. “I had a client that was building a home, and when she was getting her nails done, she would tell me things that she was struggling with or wasn't sure what to do,” Shelby said. “I gave her little ideas and said, ‘I think you should do this,’ or ‘I think this would be a good idea.’”
Then one day, she invited Shelby to come and take a look at her home. She helped her design the home, and there her interior design career began. “I helped her, and then it just kind of spread from there through word of mouth,” she said. “People started asking my opinion on things, and I started to get busy with it.”
From there, she was taking on and charging clients for her services. As a self-taught designer, she contacted the college to see what she could do to become official.
“They told me that they can't teach a person how to do interior design,” she said. “They can teach you how to do graphic design and those types of things, but the eye for design is something that you naturally have.”
Shelby went on to apprentice for a design store for some time, then decided to work independently.
In 2008, she founded her own interior design business and, for many years, worked out of the garage of her home. “I've been doing this for over 20 years, and I've always used my garage to house the furniture that I order for my clients,” she said. “Recently I decided that it was time for me to have more of my own space for it.”
This year marks a new chapter as she opens a storefront for Defining Spaces in the midst of downtown. Now with an official location for the business, Shelby says she’s able to provide more services and take on more clients.
“We offer full interior design services, but we can help people with as little as just one room,” she said. “If they're wanting some help refreshing a room in their home, such as a master bedroom, a family room, or a kitchen remodel. Whether it's just one room or a complete home, we do it all, new build or remodel.”
From minimalist to modern designs to everything in between, Shelby has an impressive portfolio.
“I love to do this for people and to create a space that they love, that they're proud of, and that they feel comfortable in.”
For More Information
Defining Spaces
363 Park Ave.
208-681-3723
www.definingspacesinteriordesign.com