Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Myers.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
From a young age, I had an artistic passion and creative mind, I think I was born with it. I was always creating, drawing, designing, and crafting. From elementary school through to my college years, I knew I wanted to turn my passion into a career, but just was unsure how it would unfold.
As I developed my design passion further I was able to take my graphic and interior design skills and blend them to create designs that would influence peoples lives, enhance the human experience, and leave a memorable impression to visitors.
So rewind to my first design job….. Starting out I took a position as a designer with La-Z-Boy, kicking and screaming. Not because I disliked La-Z-Boy, but because I wanted a dream design position with a leading design firm. But with no experience, the market was tough to acquire these positions. So La-Z-Boy it was, and boy was I in for a surprise! My position led me to be the Design Director for the Chicagoland Showrooms, which allowed me the opportunity to attend Furniture Markets in High Point, North Carolina. I learned furniture lines, case goods, accessory, lighting, and many of the other vendors. I also was the buyer for these La-Z-Boy stores, which lead me on many buying trips. Good thing I LOVE to shop!
After staying with La-Z-Boy for a few years I decided it was time to move South and work for a Design Firm in the North Georgia Mountains, Trimble Kelly Studios. It was here that I would be taken under the wing of the Principal and learn the business side of running a design business, not to mention the design expertise she had. Working for a smaller firm you get to wear many hats, which was a huge part of preparing me to one day have my own design firm. I worked on both residential and commercial projects in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia.
While living in Georgia, I became engaged and moved back to the Chicagoland area, utilizing my experiences from Trimble Kelly Studios, I took a position with Interior Image Group. WOW, what an awesome experience! We designed commercial projects in the Hospitality, Medical, and Corporate Markets. This was a perfect place for me to utilize both my interior and graphic design backgrounds. As the Design Director, I was able to touch each part of a project, which I loved. Once I was married, I began to freelance for them from Arizona, where my husband and I moved. Little did we know we would be pregnant so soon, telling us to move closer to our families, where we call home today, Indianapolis.
It was after this move that I knew I wanted to have my own design business, Elle Designs is born!
I wanted to be able to keep my passion for designing while being a Mom too. Having a flexible schedule, my own set of rules, and that fire burning in my soul I took a leap of faith. Now 10 years later, I have had the good fortune of being able to design a variety of projects both commercial, residential, and event design. Our work has grown over these 10 years taking us to Sanibel Island, Siesta Key, Florida, Ohio, and the Midwest. I L O V E what I wake up each day to do, it’s not just a job, it’s an opportunity to create an experience through my designs!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Being your own boss has its perks, but it definitely comes with its own sets of challenges.
I love staying in my pajamas when I have no client meetings, listening to my music really loud and sing, and working at 2:00 am if I want, are some of my favorite perks.
Wearing multiple hats is my biggest challenge. Not only am I the designer, I am the accountant, the purchaser, the salesman, and the list goes on and on…
For me, the pros far outweigh the cons!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
{mul·ti·dis·ci·pli·nar·y}
Elle Designs is set apart from many other design firms because we can offer both interior and graphic design expertise, allowing our clients to get the ultimate design.
{Residential/Commercial Design}
Elle Designs breathes life into spaces with creative designs, tasteful color palettes, efficient space plans, thorough details and specifications, and finally, project management which ensures the design intent of the project becomes reality. We walk in our clients’ shoes to ensure the design will function aesthetically, meet their budget, and be completed on time for them. We have the ability to take their brand, and bring it to life, in their space through our designs.
Addressing all of the human senses during the design process is key our successful designs. Paired with the 5 Step Design Process of Programming, Schematic Design, Design Development, Contract Documents, and Contract Administration effectively takes the design from start to finish.
{Event Design}
We think of all of the design details, from the first impression invitation sent to your guests, to the color palette of the venue and everything in between. Creating that “Wow” factor is our specialty. We will leave your guests talking for years to come about your event.
Sure being published, receiving awards, and accolades are all humbling for us, but our proudest moments are experiencing the client’s reaction when their project is completed. The ultimate compliment for us is a speechless client!
Contact Info:
- Address: 16779 Silver End Circle
Noblesville IN 46062 - Website: www.elle-designs.com
- Phone: 317.508.9260
- Email: danielle@elle-designs.com
- Instagram: https://www.instawww.elle-designs.comgram.com/elledesigns317/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElleDesignsforYou
- Other: https://www.houzz.com/pro/dmdesigns317/__public
Image Credit:
Gianfranco Spagnolo Photography, Jamie Sangar Photography, Jennifer Soots Photography, The Home Aesthetic, Matthew Doudt Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
