Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachael Bell.
Hi Rachael, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My dad was a contractor and carpenter who built custom homes in my hometown of Bainbridge, which gave me early exposure to the building process. I loved studying the house plans he had spread on his desk, or exploring the job site and watching the house come to life by my dad’s hands. As a child, I would sketch floor plans on my notebook paper and I was constantly rearranging my room. So when I eventually discovered the world of interior design, I knew it was a good fit and a way to capitalize on my creativity, while being involved in the home building process which felt so familiar. I went to college at the University of Georgia to study Furnishings and Interiors. I always intended to start my own business, but knew I had a lot to learn beyond the technical skills my four year degree gave me. I spent a summer interning with Ashley Gilbreath Interior Design, two years as Project Manager at Robert Brown Interior Design, and five years with CLOTH & KIND serving many roles from design to operations. Each of these talented designers and business owners had a huge impact on my growth and education in the field. I am so grateful for the opportunities they provided me along the way, and the influence they still have in my work. In 2020, it was time to take my own leap into entrepreneurship and Rachael Bell Interior Design was founded.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No road is ever smooth! In past workplaces, I’ve carried a lot of stress and anxiety, mostly stemming from my need to meet or exceed people’s expectations. I’ve found that in my own business, since it’s my own standard that I’m achieving to, the anxiety is gone. Challenges are no longer a stressor, but simply a problem to be solved or an obstacle to be overcome. When we face it all with integrity, giving grace to others and ourselves, and keeping a positive perspective – all problems can be solved. Don’t get me wrong – owning a business is hard. Working in a service-based industry is challenging. Being responsible for the livelihood of other families is a big responsibility. But what I’ve experienced in the past five years of being a business owner has only been validation that it is the right fit for me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We work primarily in residential interior design, specializing in new construction projects. Our best work is done when we’re teaming up with a talented architect, contractor, tradespeople and the homeowner to execute a custom home suited perfectly to their family’s needs, creating a backdrop for generations of memories to be made. We partner with our homeowners from the onset to be a liaison and advocate for them through the whole design and building process, ensuring their vision is achieved through their architectural planning, specification of finishes and fixtures, all the way through furnishings and decor. So many times I hear from others who didn’t hire a designer for their new build say “If I would have known this, that, or the other and I would have done things differently.” It’s a new language for them to learn and it’s easy to make quick decisions that they don’t always know the implications of. I’m able to help my clients make thoughtful decisions every step of the way with the full picture in mind, so that the list of things they wish were different is obsolete. I’m most proud of the relationships we’ve developed along the way. The contractors we partner with appreciate that we’re organized and on top of all the details, saving them time and change orders. Tradespeople that we work with bring so much value and expertise that elevates our designs. And our clients are truly at the heart of what we do. We work with homeowners for one to two years typically, and I truly miss our frequent interactions when a project is complete. We have been so blessed to work with the most amazing people!
What’s next?
A new year always brings an energy of change and growth, but what I’m most looking forward to in 2o26 is continuing the great work that we’ve started. No big changes are needed when each new project gives us renewed creativity and purpose. No two projects are alike!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rachaelbellid.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachaelbellid/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachaelbellid
Image Credits
Shannon Logan Photography
Jo + Val Photography
