Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Hutchman
Hi Andrea, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Interior design is my second career. I was an actress for many years. I’m really grateful to have found something else that I like as much as acting. I went to design school in my 40’s, and I’m very glad that I did. It made me feel much more secure in my abilities. Also, I can do my own renderings and floor plans. I was so much older than the other students that I was often mistaken for the instructor!
Sometimes I wonder why I didn’t switch careers earlier. I have always been interested in design and decoration. My mother was an antique dealer, and I was always tagging along to auctions and estate sales. I would help in her shop by dusting things and polishing silver. We lived in a midcentury house, and she filled it with Victorian antiques. It was weird, but it worked. She had a really great eye and was pretty fearless. I like to think I inherited some of that.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been pretty smooth, but then acting is notoriously rough, so maybe it’s smooth by comparison! I started my own business right away instead of working for someone else. I interned for a few firms briefly, but I was older and wanted to get going. I think the toughest bit has been the business side of things. I had run a small theater company, and I learned some useful skills there, but dealing with clients and setting boundaries has been challenging. I no longer take calls in the evenings, and I mostly do not work weekends. I found that I needed to set up hours of operation so that I could have scheduled time off. It’s important in a creative field to let your brain rest. That’s how you get to the good ideas!
Another important lesson is to not let the client drive the bus with my business. It has happened a few times that clients, who are not experts in my field, have wanted to get in the middle of my process. This is not a good idea. It can be hard to stand up for myself, but I have never regretted doing it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’d say that I am known for solving space planning issues. I love to help a space become more usable and beautiful. And color! My #1 calling card is that I love color. I like spaces to be bright, invigorating, and have a sense of humor.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I listen to The Business of Design and A Well Designed Business. I also call on my friends who have run their own businesses. My sister Nancy and my friend Marnie give the best advice!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.poppyinteriors.net
- Instagram: @poppyinteriors
- Facebook: poppy interiors
Image Credits
Molly Haas
Patrick Kelly
