Have you ever wondered how some hospitality designers make it big in the industry?
In this episode, we dive into the exciting world of hospitality design and explore how new interior designers can get started in this field. Our guest expert, Jessica Marshall, shares her unique journey to becoming a successful hospitality designer.
Jessica gives her perspective on interior design and discusses the different avenues she took to get to where she is today. She shares insights into the unique challenges and opportunities of designing for boutique hotels, restaurants, and other hospitality spaces.
Whether you’re just starting out in your interior design career or looking to expand your skills in the hospitality sector, this episode will give you the knowledge and inspiration you need to succeed.
Take advantage of this exciting opportunity to learn from a successful hospitality designer!
Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode
- Understand the 5 key considerations before committing to hospitality design
- Discover the 2 challenging aspects of hospitality design
- Consider her 3 recommendations for hospitality designers starting or curious about the industry
About the Guest:
Jessica Marshall is the only Interior Designer focused on the hospitality industry in the Sacramento area. Her experience spans over 20 years in both the UK and the US. In addition, she is the only Interior Designer elected as a member of the California Restaurant Association’s Board of Directors.
After earning a degree in Interior Design at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, she decided to focus on hospitality. She interned at HBA before moving to an LA company to work in purchasing and project management for luxury hotels. She worked on projects such as the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa.
From Intern to Interior Designer to Design Director, she has designed and managed interior projects for Marriott, Hilton, and IHG.
Her desire to work internationally led her to live in England for eight years. She worked in restaurants and bars all over the UK for years, developing front-of-house and back-of-house interiors.
Jessica lives in California and started Brass Rose to help boutique business owners. Brass Rose creates a customized experience through service and atmosphere.
Connect with Jessica Marshall:
Website: Brass Rose Interiors
IG: @brassrosestudio
Check out these episode highlights
02:52 – Why Jessica became an interior designer, and the two things it allowed her to accomplish
05:25 – How her impatience led her to explore all three types of interior design in college and the one thing that should be mandatory in all colleges and universities
06:39 – Her internship experience and passion for food, travel, and culture: A perfect blend for exciting career opportunities
08:11 – Why she turned down a position with HBA Hong Kong and how it led her to her first job working for a boutique business in Santa Monica.
10:10 – What she learned about business from working for a small firm, how it got her addicted to skydiving, and what she loves the most about it – and no, it’s not the adrenaline rush
12:44 – What brought her to New Zealand, why she took a year off interior design work, and how she met her husband there
15:09 – Her international interior design path and how codes and regulations differ between US and UK
17:20 – The two challenging aspects of hospitality design
- Tight client budgets
- Durability of materials
20:43 – The main reason why she came back to the US
21:52 – Why front-of-house and back-of-house designs are important in restaurants
23:51 – Getting back to hospitality interior design and starting Brass Rose
25:27 – What’s next for her and Brass Rose
26:39 – 5 things to consider before committing to hospitality design
- Passion for traveling and food
- Code restrictions
- Operational flows
- Focus beyond aesthetics
- Client’s branding
PRO TIP: Always hire a graphic designer or a brand specialist when it comes to branding
30:25 – 3 recommendations for hospitality designers starting or curious about the industry
- Get an internship
- Focus on building a good portfolio and gaining experience and decent grades.
- Network and get to know people.
Next Steps
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Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week…