Today we’d like to introduce you to Cailey Gulinson
Hi Cailey, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
From a young age, I was naturally drawn to design since it provided a tangible expression of creativity. I was often found rearranging the furniture in my childhood bedroom well past midnight to satisfy my curiosity. At one point, I even had my room painted bright turquoise, which ended up feeling less coastal-chic and more trapped-inside-a-Tiffany-box. But hey! It was the freedom to create in my own space that fostered my passion and opened my mind to the endless possibilities of design. Since then I’ve decided to dive deeper into my passion and set out to learn as much as possible.
A few years back, while looking around my apartment one day, I noticed that the space was largely unfinished, but couldn’t figure out why. Suddenly, I realized that this apartment was my eleventh house; the eleventh place I’d ever called home. And then it clicked – designing had felt like an endlessly transitory state rather than something to invest in and appreciate in the moment. Newly determined, I set out to help others find a balance between practicality and personal style while honoring the unpredictable and fleeting essence of life, and thus Eleventh House Designs was born.
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?
My road has been smooth in some parts and bumpy in others. I’m currently a team of one, which means that I balance every aspect of my business on a daily basis: marketing, legal compliance, client management, finances, not to mention actual designing. Embracing a beginner’s mindset and not being afraid to try new things, fail, or make mistakes was an obstacle that has allowed for immense growth. While I excel at time management, I’ve been challenged to learn how to take a moment and pause, even when my day is packed, so that I can enjoy the moment.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Eleventh House Designs is an interior design studio founded and led by Cailey Gulinson that values individuality and artistic expression at every stage of life. Based in Los Angeles, California, we specialize in residential interior design and help clients find the balance between practicality and personal style through a collaborative process.
We place personal expression at the forefront by inviting you to share key moments from your life that make you who you are. From there, we pair the elements of this personal story with unique, elevated design to create a sense of seamless individuality in each space. As human beings, we’re constantly evolving. Whether you’re the type with a five-year plan or haven’t used a planner since 2008, we believe in honoring the transitory nature of the human experience. No matter how temporary your space is, we design with integrity by sourcing quality pieces that can move with you throughout all phases of your life.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I measure success by joy. I’ve found so much joy while working in design because it provides a constant source of inspiration and outlet for my creativity. I love discovering and connecting with new artists, local furniture makers, and small decor businesses and learning from the community of the design world. Working in interior design satisfies both the logical and artistic sides of my brain, striking a perfect balance between function- spatial problem solving, and form – the aesthetic and emotive. When I’m creative, I’m in my purpose.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @eleventhhousedesigns
- Other: @eleventhhousedesigns (TIKTOK)
