Today we’d like to introduce you to John Paul San Pedro.
The Journey:
John-Paul San Pedro’s path to Interior Design is a unique and unconventional journey, born in the heart of Hollywood, he has always been drawn to the arts. In his younger years, he excelled in geometry and creative-driven programs like music and drawing. He had a natural knack for drawing at a very young age and also excelled musically in the school’s orchestra playing the violin. The arts and geometry inspired him to his discovery of design.
He attended FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandise) in Los Angeles and attained a degree in Visual and Graphic Design. Immediately upon attaining his degree, he worked at a firm in Santa Monica servicing in fashion editorial publication until his path took a turn. Throughout his studies, he fell in love with dance. There was a rhythmic pattern and soul that drew John-Paul to dance. It was abstract in the way the body creates shapes through movement. It was in a sense to him, moving geometry. While performing at a dance showcase with his dance company, John-Paul was scouted by the top Los Angeles talent agency, and shortly after was sent on his first audition for the Sony Motion Picture “You Got Served.”
He attended the open call audition and booked the job as a featured dancer. In this discovery of a newfound passion, he thought there was no better time to pursue dance professionally than that moment. He decided that design could wait and took a very abrupt turn in his career. Soon after completing filming on the feature film he left his job at the firm and was on his way to becoming an artist of movement.
It was time to put the work into this newfound skill and training at dance studios became John Paul’s world. John-Paul became one of the most sought out dancers in the industry (acquiring his stage nickname JP) touring with icons Janet Jackson and Britney Spears. In addition, he has also danced with artists Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, Selena Gomez, Kesha, Neyo, Usher, Miley Cyrus to name a few. JP has appeared on TV’s hit shows Dancing With the Stars, American Idol, X factor, Grammys, American Billboard Awards, MTV Music Awards, Glee and more. However, his art of dance came through in his choreography, teaching workshops all over the map from Iceland to France to the Philippines; students and dancers were able to dance his creations. He went on to choreographing for projects including selected work for the U.S./Asian Pop star industry.
Inspiration:
So how did John Paul find his way back to design from a seemingly polarizing career? Through his world tours with these music artists, John-Paul studied the architecture and beauty of his worldly travels. He took notice to the amazing hotels, apartments, castles (yes castles) he would stay in and their interior design. All of which brought him back to his design roots. Everything he experienced, from the visuals, the culture, to the local artisans, needed to be translated and shared somehow from his own point of view.
Upon returning to his studio in Los Angeles after close to 6 years of continuous and rigorous globe-trotting, John-Paul was itching and inspired to create again and a rebirth of his passion for design was in motion. He started painting creating works of art that were inspired by his travels and his experiences from the dance world. He focused a time just working at his craft.
Turning point:
After 15+ years in the entertainment industry, he had accomplished everything he wanted to with his love for dance. The epitome of success to him in the dance landscape was dancing and working with Janet Jackson. He accomplished his all end goal and felt it was time to evolve. Because of this newfound passion for Interior Design through his travels, John-Paul decided to freelance in creating spaces and utilized his network he had attained from his previous career. He saw space as an empty canvas.
He then realized it was all connected, design, movement, art, music, and dance. There was something to be said with his point of view, his movement of art.
Through the process, home furnishing staple West Elm had taken notice to his work and featured John-Paul and his 20 piece art collection. It was a great event because it integrated both his worlds of art and interior design.
As his portfolio grew, he gained prospects solely through referral and word of mouth. His freelance work evolved into his very own interior design studio, John Paul San Pedro Design. The firm was legitimized in 2015, in addition to over eight years of experience in interior design under his belt.
To be able to help people directly in attaining their dream home was John Paul’s calling and new purpose. He knew how important and necessary good design played a role in people’s everyday moods and motivations. He realized it was essential to his clients’ personal success. John Paul made a mission statement to create spaces that were equally functional and beautiful and executed in a unique customized way that spoke to each nuanced client.
John Paul is currently the founder/president and principal designer of his self named Interior design firm. He specializes in both residential and commercial properties. John Paul also sells his work on Chairish.com alongside unique one of a kind furnishing pieces.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I think I have chosen two career paths that are inclined to rejection and a whole lot of no’s. Industries where a large amount of skill, tenacity, and luck play crucial roles in success. I don’t think anyone is prepared for the challenges that come with entrepreneurship and owning a business. I didn’t have or currently have a mentor through any of my career paths and I’ve just kind of figured it out along the way. There’s no fancy formula or miracle story for me. I believe hard work pays off and the more times you fail, the more successes you’ll attain. Every growing pain in business is a vital learning curve and in time will earn you results you’ve worked for. I don’t see them as struggles but instead see them as opportunities to learn and grow.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about John Paul San Pedro Design – what should we know?
My business is John Paul San Pedro Design. It is an interior design firm specializing in residential and commercial design. We take on projects from concept/design to execution that includes a scope from decorating to renovations and remodels.
I’m proud of the positive change I have brought to my client’s lives. When we arrive at the finish line, the client is in tears of joy and they are affirmed that our collaboration and partnership is what made it all possible. To me, that is joy and fulfillment. To be able to help people directly in attaining their dream space is my purpose. I know how important and necessary good design plays a role in everyday living, it inspires positive moods and motivation. We are, essentially, elevating their lifestyle. It’s a beautiful thing when I see my clients flourishing because the space they’ve attained is a reflection of themselves and how they see themselves living their lives. The mission statement is to create spaces that are equally functional and beautiful and executed in a unique customized way that speaks to each nuanced client.
The studio’s design style is made for modern day living but has nods to the past, achieving a quality of elegance and timelessness. I stray from following “design rules”. I love to include an antique or vintage element in a design. Something unexpected. There’s so much of past design that is inspiring and I believe it always brings a little soul and warmness to modern living. Every client profile is different but we like to guide and educate them in this simple design philosophy.
Coming from my previous career as a professional dancer into Interior Design lends me a different point of view entirely mainly because I’m self-taught. To me design can have the quality of movement, rhythm, soul. How your eye dances around a room make for an experience. I think that’s what I’m doing, I’m choreographing a highly interactive experience, marrying different styles, periods, textures to achieve a warm, collected feeling that is moving and aspirational. The dance of design if you will.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
As a child I was an introvert, immersed in my imagination. I always saw the world in composition as if my sight through my eyes were a picture frame. Even as a young child, I saw and recognized beauty everywhere. I give credit to my mom and dad who were both insanely creative in their own ways. They were Cha Cha champions. My mom always aspired to be an architect and ballet dancer.
As a young adult, I came into myself and became more extroverted. I joined the Associated Student Body, played violin and piano, and honed my skills in drawing. I also became involved in starting a dance club in High school that still runs to this day. This is when I discovered dance and was all self-taught, watching music videos from Janet Jackson, Usher, and Britney Spears. I loved anime and manga which has heavily inspired my art.
Contact Info:
- Website: jpspdesign.com
- Phone: 8183716852
- Email: jp@jpspdesign.com
- Instagram: jpspdesign and Jpsanpedro_
Image Credit:
JPSP Design
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