Meet Chelsea Ruitenberg

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

Hi Chelsea, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I wanted to take a leap into something I am deeply passionate about and that brings me so much joy. I was also inspired by friends who had started their own ventures and watching them succeed in what they love. My dad also had a huge influence. He built his design and build firm from the ground up, starting as a small window display business run by my grandfather and expanding it into commercial design across the U.S. His journey showed me firsthand what’s possible with hard work and a vision, and that really fueled my own desire to follow my path.

What should our readers know about your business?
My background is rooted in fashion, where I worked at corporate rag & bone in New York City. Later, I took on a senior account management role at an ecomm startup company, managing my own team and helping grow the company from 12 to over 100 employees. Those experiences really taught me how to source thoughtfully, how to be leader, and the importance of having clear processes— which has been invaluable as I transitioned into interior design. What sets me apart is my love for designing spaces that are deeply inspired by nature. I’m passionate about using natural materials and creating environments that promote health and well-being for the people who inhabit them. I believe that the spaces we live and work in should not only be beautiful but also enhance our overall quality of life.
Starting my own business has definitely not been easy, but I wouldn’t trade any of the ups or downs because they’ve shaped where I am today. At the end of the day, my designs come from a place of genuine care and enjoyment of working with people that are inspired by good design as much as I am!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We’d start the week with a meal at La Dona in Ocean Beach—my absolute favorite spot for authentic Mexican food. A must-do would be the coastal walk in La Jolla, followed by a swim at my favorite secret beach 🙂 We’d also squeeze in a yoga class and cold plunge at Soul Plunge (shameless plug for the yoga studio I recently designed!). Maybe a day trip up to Laguna for a beach day and dinner at AbhA – one of my favorite burger spots. Honestly, though, my favorite thing to do is entertain at home. A night in with a yummy home-cooked meal, comfy clothes, and long chats around the firepit—because nothing beats that cozy, relaxed feeling when you’re with people you love.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I absolutely wouldn’t be where I am today without the support and guidance of so many people along the way. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to connect with several designers who have been generous in sharing learnings from their own businesses. I can lean on them, troubleshoot, and grow from our conversations. A few that come to mind are Katie from Solstice Interiors, Nicole from Sacred Spaces, Rachel from Tiger Veil, Sasha from Kaleidoscope Interiors, and Katie from Katie Krauter Design. Their willingness to share their experiences has been invaluable. My partner Ryan and our dog, Basil deserves a lot of credit too— they’ve been by my side, supporting me through all the ups and downs of owning my own business. The love and encouragement they provide make all the difference, especially on the challenging days. It’s not just about the professional mentors and colleagues, but also having such a strong support system that keeps me grounded and motivated has been so incredibly important!

Website: https://www.chelsea-interiordesign.com/

Instagram: @chelseainteriordesign

Image Credits
Photographer : Charlotte Lea Photography