Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsey Machado.
Hi Lindsey, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Although my background and education is in something completely unrelated to design, I’ve always loved anything to do with home decor, remodels or improvements. My whole life, I would constantly rearrange my rooms, redecorate and take so much pride in every space, even helping friends and family along the way. Of course, that also included loving anything HGTV or home-related as entertainment! Then what seems like a lifetime ago, my young family and I were on the hunt for a new home, and I had what felt like an epiphany. I was floored at the condition of some of the houses we looked at: construction and repairs aside, it was like many of the sellers were never even told the difference that preparing their home for sale could make for their wallets.
I began toying with the idea of becoming a home stager to help people with the selling process and ended up enrolling in and passing a strenuous home staging & redesign certification course. In 2016, my company Designed With Grace & Joy was born, named after my two precious daughters — Kaylee Grace and Izabel Joy.
With time, I was hired onto a ton of remodel jobs, and I realized that I actually preferred the process of redesign and helping to tailor and personalize a space to each client rather than depersonalize it for staging purposes. Designed With Grace & Joy has since continued to grow throughout the years, and despite never having advertised, the word of mouth and referrals from clients has hopefully been a testament to the service I provide. The company name is not just a tribute to my girls…it’s a promise to how I will work to help clients create a beautiful space of their own! I try to take the intimidation out of hiring a designer (with an incredibly unique and reasonable pricing tier) and work side by side with clients to fulfill all their design goals.
Whether clients are simply wanting to give their current homes a little “facelift” or getting ready to list it and needing the most effective return on investment ideas, Designed With Grace & Joy uses the art of design, color theory and decorating techniques (always with function in mind) to create an environment where a new or existing homeowner can truly feel “home.”
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Of course, there can be obstacles and challenges with any job. When COVID started, I wasn’t sure how my business would be affected. In fact, I was a little terrified. But with a small shift, everything transferred to virtual services for safety reasons, and I ended up having my busiest year yet. And although I am now back doing in-person design in my area, the experience has enabled me to now be able to offer virtual services nationally! Those include design or mood boards, virtual layouts, and I have even started with full 3D renderings. I now have clients across the nation, from different parts of California to Ohio, and besides being able to physically see the space in person, the virtual aspect hasn’t slowed me down a bit. I’ve helped with everything from kitchen remodels to full redecorating projects, all via a computer screen!
But having said that, being able to have in-person services was far from the only obstacle caused by COVID. The major delays in the design (and many other!) industries has been causing massive problems. Everything from product (foam, paint, lumbar) shortages to textile disruptions, not to mention skilled labor deficits and overseas shipping container gridlock, has completely turned the industry on its head. Prices have increased, things are taking longer, and quite honestly those of us in the industry are scrambling! Unfortunately, it’s the biggest supply chain upheaval perhaps EVER…and the reality is that we may be dealing with these shortages, delays and challenges for years to come. The best advice I try to give my clients is to order early if possible, be aware of the shortages/delays, and just know that in the end, this waiting period will be a blip on the radar. There will come a time when they can’t remember not having that sofa or patio set they’d been waiting so long for!
COVID issues aside, the entire concept of starting my own business was a foreign one to me, and it took a lot of time, patience and experience to get where I am today. In addition, although I have an amazing husband who is the best dad ever to our girls, it’s always a struggle to try to balance work and mom life (the Mom Guilt is real!). But my whole family is super supportive and always lets me know how proud of me they are!
As you know, we’re big fans of Designed With Grace & Joy. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I pride myself on working WITH my clients to have an end result that totally reflects them, rather than just taking the reigns and telling them what a space should look like. I call myself an “everyday designer” or your “personal design consultant” and I work very differently than any other designer I know. Sometimes people just need help with something minor, like paint or new throw pillows…and most designers have an all or nothing package way of charging. I instead have an initial consultation with clients and then am there every step of the way, as much or as little as they need.
I empower homeowners not only to become familiar with the processes of construction and redesign but also to be able to take on some projects themselves. However, having said that, I am not only trained and certified in home staging and redesign and am also a Certified Color Expert…so clients are in good hands if they want me to have more of a role in the project.
I’m so humbled to say that Designed With Grace & Joy has been awarded the Best in Houzz for service for 2019, 2020 and 2021, and our work has also been featured on numerous platforms and websites. I pride myself in making sure that each and every client is ecstatic with their results — whether it’s something as simple as helping to pick out wallpaper or as difficult as a whole-home redesign! Whatever their project, whatever their budget, and whatever their reason for wanting to do it…I absolutely love helping clients create a space that is beautiful, functional and perfect for THEM.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I am a huge fan of DIY projects myself, and when I’m not helping clients with their homes, you can usually find me painting, doing wallpaper, or doing some fun project in my own home that I found on Pinterest!
Contact Info:
- Email: designedwithgraceandjoy@gmail.com
- Website: www.designedwithgraceandjoy.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/designedwithgraceandjoy
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/designedwithgraceandjoy
- Other: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/interior-designers-and-decorators/designed-with-grace-and-joy-pfvwus-pf~61949514
