Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Ostrander.
Hi Ashley, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
The story of how Authentic Design Studio came to be is very untraditional, unique, and well, a lot of hard work and some luck along the away. It’s important to know that the biggest factor in how we got to where we are today comes from one word: PASSION.
Ever since I was a little girl, I had a deep love for interior design. From rearranging my furnishings to begging my mom to allow me to paint my room, it was the creativity and end result I enjoyed most. Fast forward to several years later and that passion has helped me push boundaries I didn’t think were possible. I got my start in design by teaching myself how to sew pillow covers (I told you it’s very untraditional). During this time, I was still fairly new to Utah and was in desperate need of a hobby other than shopping 24/7. I remembered a sewing machine I got for Christmas a few years prior that was still in the box. I took it out and thought to myself I could make a square, anyone can do that, and went to the local fabric store, purchased some fabric scrapes and before I knew it, made my first pillow cover. This hobby quickly took off and I began to collaborate and sell to interior designers and customers around the U.S.
During that time, it wasn’t the sewing that I enjoyed but the opportunity I had to source the perfect fabric for their bedroom pillows or sofa pillows based on the photos they would send to me of their spaces. It was a very custom service and experience that I loved being a part of and offering. After some time in doing that, I started to create a portfolio for myself and made vignettes within my own home to showcase the different combinations and how they worked in different areas. This was a small “side gig” I enjoyed doing but I still had the dream of being in interior design someday.
After some time of working full-time in banking and that small gig on the side, I decided one day I was tired of my corporate desk job and was going to find a way to make my dreams a reality. It was that day I reached out to a local furnishing and design store about a job listing I saw for an interior designer. Little did I know, this jump and leap of faith would be the first steppingstone to eventually starting Authentic Design Studio. During my time working there, I learned a lot about furnishings, fabrics, vendors, and several other areas of Design. It was in this position that I taught myself how to create both 2D and 3D renderings which helped me provide a more elevated customer experience and made for a better presentation of the scale of the furnishings I was proposing. During my time here I also had the honor to design an 1800s cabin and convert it into a bridal suite/office space. To my knowledge, it is still there to this day, and I will always be so grateful for the experiences and chance they took on me.
From there I started to work for a home builder and learned other faucets of design throughout my experience working for that company but had a desire to have more creativity and still wanted an opportunity to showcase my talents and what I was capable of. I was working on some side projects that included remodeling and furnishings and it was during those projects I felt like I was finally living out my passions and dreams. In 2021 I left the interior design position I had with the home builder to pursue my biggest and boldest dreams- starting my own Interior Design Business. To date, it was and still is the biggest risk, one that was scary at times, but I knew was very necessary. You can’t grow by playing it safe and small so I went for it and made a promise to myself that I would see it through.
Currently, Authentic Design Studio is a growing design firm that has plans to break as many cookie-cutter homes in the State of Utah as possible. Our mission is to help people eliminate their own design limitations, curate a design that feels authentic to them, and get people excited about the possibilities design has when you don’t always play it safe. We hope that our Story inspires YOU to live an Authentic Life, Chase after your dreams, and to never give up!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Yes, I had many obstacles and challenges that sometimes felt like the weight of the world. To break it down for you, Interior Design isn’t like selling cookies. It’s not a one-stop-shop or a one-product type of business, there are several outlets that come with the territory. It is a beast of a business to figure out, especially on your own.
To start, I had to self-teach and understand the basics such as creating a name, getting a license, forming my business entity, etc. From there I had to develop processes and find my people. What I mean by that is I had to find the contractors, tradesmen, carpenters, painters, furnishing, and accessory vendors that I would be using and referring. I also had to design my own website and oversee all of the marketing and advertising as I tried to get my name out there. Aside from trying my best to figure all of that out I also had to balance everything from the front end to back end of the business. The foundation of creating my business was the most challenging part for me because there is so much to learn and do upfront.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Authentic Design Studio specializes in curating homes that evoke feeling, storytelling, and authenticity. We offer full-service design, remodeling, and assist clients who are building their dream home. These include both the finishes and furnishings which go hand in hand! We are known for working in collaboration with our clients which means we do not push a specific style on them but instead gain an understanding of who they are, how they live, what they love, and what they don’t so we can curate a design that feels authentic to them.
Currently, I am most proud of our mission which is to break cookie-cutter interiors, helping bring to life our clients’ dream and empowering them to do what they love even if that means stepping out of their comfort zone a little. Moody spaces, the right balance of contrast, and mixed textures are a few things we always incorporate in our designs that sets apart from what everyone else is doing (white and gray). Design should make you feel something when you come into a space and by understanding what that looks like for each of our clients is truly what sets us apart. We take the time to incorporate the sentimental items, learn about your story, and find any way we can to add little “sprinkles” throughout. As we like to say “Your Home. Your Story. Your Authentic Design”, and we mean that!
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Authentic Design Studio was built off of a dream and a lot of passion. I hope by sharing my personal journey I can inspire others to follow their dreams and live a more fulfilling and authentic life.
If you would like to work together, please fill out an inquiry form on our website so we can get connected with you!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.authenticdesign.studio
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authenticdesignstudios/?hl=en
Image Credits
Bri Vail
Brianne Dela Cruz
Rachel Green
