From Software Engineer to Seattle Interior Designer: My Journey to Creating Functional Beauty
Hi everyone, I'm Shweta Pathak Suri, and I'm thrilled to share my story with you! Today, I'm a Seattle-based interior designer passionate about bringing personality and function to your living space. My journey to design wasn't exactly traditional, but its a story about following your passions and making them a reality.
From Code to Creativity
Maybe you've heard this story before: ambitious Indian girl moves to the United States to chase a career in tech. That was me! For a decade, I thrived as a Software Engineer, but a creative itch lingered. As an artist since childhood, I found myself constantly rearranging furniture and creating art for my tiny rental studio apartment in Seattle. It was a way to personalize my space and feel a sense of home, especially being so far away from my own. It brought back warm memories of my mother lovingly decorating our childhood home.
The Spark of Design
The turning point for my design journey came in 2019. My husband and I embarked on the exciting – and sometimes overwhelming – house hunt. Every weekend, we visited open houses, and that's when it began. Just like Sherlock Holmes meticulously analyzing crime scenes, I found myself visualizing the potential of each space, maximizing its functionality in my mind.
Three months later, we found our perfect first home and moved in during July 2020. But 2020 wasn't just the year of a new house; it was the year the world stopped. Stuck at home with work anxieties rising, I felt my creativity calling stronger than ever. One room at a time, I began crafting mood boards. With limited furniture from our previous apartment, these boards became my roadmap to avoid costly mistakes. No more impulse sofa purchases or color regrets!
That moment when you finally call yourself an Interior Designer!
DIY Kitchen Transformation
My first project? Our espresso-toned kitchen. The goal: transform it into a bright and airy haven.
Unfortunately, hiring a contractor proved difficult, and the quotes we received were staggering – $3,000 - $5,000 just for a paint job! So, within a few weeks of moving in, I embarked on my very first DIY project: painting our kitchen cabinets. Every night and weekend, I learned, adapted, and painted, fueled by a desire to create a space that reflected our style. Read More about how I tackled this project.
From Passion to Profession
Fast forward two years. Fueled by a string of successful DIY and design projects, I made the life-changing decision to follow my passion for interior design. For the past five to six years, I'd been diligently building my expertise – devouring knowledge on décor, art, and DIY. Finally, in 2023, I felt ready to take the leap and leave my software engineering career behind.
Formal education played a crucial role. Enrolling at the Heritage School of Interior Design allowed me to hone my skills and learn industry specific tools. Now, a year later, I wear the title of "Interior Designer" with immense pride. It's been a journey, and I wouldn't trade it for the world.
My core belief? If you believe in something, chase it with all your heart. The pandemic taught us all a valuable lesson: life is short and uncertain. Take that leap of faith, embrace your passions, and see how your destiny unfolds.
This is just the beginning of my design story, and I'm so excited to share it with all of you! If you're looking to bring function and beauty into your own space, I'd love to chat! Let's turn your house into a home that reflects your unique personality.
