Meet Shelley Jaccard: Interior Designer | Owner at Jaccard Interiors

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

Hi Shelley, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I always dreamed of starting my own Interior Design business, but was worried about all the unknowns and risk of not having a steady paycheck. I had the formal education and experience under my belt, but needed a nudge to take that first step in starting my own business. Well that came after having two young children and realizing I needed much more flexibility in my daily schedule as well as a better work/life balance. After graduating with a BFA in Interior Design, I was fortunate to work at some well-known and forward thinking design firms in San Diego. I learned a lot during my first years in the industry and worked on a variety of projects from commercial and hospitality to residential design. When the time came to think seriously about starting my own business, I first invested in developing a logo (brand) and building a website. I reached out to all my design industry trades contacts and vendor reps to build up my resource lists. I joined ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) and became NCIDQ certified. This certification was a long-term goal of mine as it holds the highest standard of proficiency for Interior Designers and tests their knowledge of core competencies required for professional practice in the industry. At this point, I was excited and confident to take on the challenges that were underway of becoming a business owner.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Jaccard Interiors provides creative and attainable Interior Design and Space Planning solutions to maximize the space you live in. We offer full-service interior design services as well as design consultation services. Our goal is to balance form and function to create a well-organized space that not only appeals to the senses, but also makes sense for your lifestyle and family. I appreciate the fact that not everyone has a big budget when it comes to interior design and improving their living spaces. I know the design process can be overwhelming and intimidating when selecting paint colors, furnishings, window treatments, etc. Having a trained designer’s eye and being knowledgeable on quality products, I strive to save my clients time, stress, and money. When I’m hired to do a job, I aim to be as transparent as possible so my clients can put their trust in me. This means communicating from the start on how my process works, fee structure, and what to expect when working with me. I’m a very organized and detail-oriented person who excels in project management, which keeps my clients organized and informed as well. There are so many decisions to be made and pieces of the “puzzle” to come together during the design process. Being on top of things keeps projects running smoothly and on budget.

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’ve lived in a lot of interesting cities, but nothing compares to San Diego and the endless options to see and do here. I love being a ‘tourist’ in my hometown and some of my favorite things to do or places to go are: visiting the beach in Coronado (south of The Del) or Moonlight Beach in Encinitas; walking around Balboa Park and the Alcazar Gardens or International Village houses; strolling around Liberty Station and having a few empanadas in the Public Market with a coffee break at Moniker General then stopping by Pigment for some plants and home goods; sunset cocktails at Mr. A’s rooftop bar; enjoying the Lobster Mac-n-Cheese at C-Level on the patio with the city skyline in front of you; an afternoon hike at Torrey Pines State Reserve followed by an early dinner and beers at Pizza Port in Solana Beach; a bike ride around Coronado followed by a glass of wine at the Hotel Del Coronado’s upper patio deck; a festive lunch out on the patio at Casa Guadalajara in Old Town; an after dinner cocktail at Polite Provisions in Normal Heights; grabbing a Carne Asada burrito at El Indio Mexican Restaurant. So many great things to do here!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are a lot of people who have influenced me and mentored me along the way. But I would say my Mom had the most influence over my initial love of design and organization. When I was growing up, we had to move many times because my Dad was in the military. We lived in several different types of homes,… big, small, historic, new, in foreign lands, desert settings and near the coast. And every house we moved into, no matter the style or size, she always made it feel like home. We didn’t have a lot of money to buy new furniture or decor with each move, so my mom would sew her own curtains, crochet hanging plant holders, and arrange our furniture in the best, most functional layout she could imagine. She taught me that with creativity and resourcefulness, you can truly unlock a home’s potential no matter the budget.

Website: https://www.jaccardinteriors.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaccardinteriors

Image Credits
Natalia Robert Photography and Camille Marie Images