Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace Cousins.
Hi Grace, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hello there! I’m Grace Ryan the creator of Grace Ryan Designs. I design, decorate, style, create & hope to inspire.
My mission is to give my clients the confidence, guidance, and reassurance to create the space they’ve always needed/deserve. My goal is to help them live to the fullest in their homes and to make the world a more beautiful place.
How it began: I studied Interior design at Savannah College of Art and Design and was introduced to amazing professors and designers who inspired me to want to open up my own design business.
Grace Ryan Designs was also inspired by the fearless women around me who have created their own design companies, taken the leap to be creatives, and allowed their childhood dreams to come true. I believe the things we once played as children influence our careers as adults. For me, it was all about setting up and dressing up. I found it more fun to set up my dolls and their furniture in the house than it was to actually play with them.
Hours of my playtime were spent organizing my play food in the fridge and sweeping out dust from my tree house… and yes I thought cleaning and organizing were fun. Now, I still find cleaning and organizing fun and decorating, displaying along with “setting up” a passion.
It wasn’t until I found out I was having the first baby that I was finally brave enough to create Grace Ryan Designs. I wanted my son to be proud of his mama and inspire him to be brave and reach for his own stars, just like I was inspired by the mamas in my life.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Something I struggle with is worry. I have worries about not being busy enough, I love being busy with creative work.
We’ve been impressed with Grace Ryan Designs, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am an interior designer, interior stylist, and artist. I work virtually so everyone can have assessed and to allow myself to spend time with my baby boy who is coming soon.
Some of my services include consultation calls, full virtual design, and virtual organization & styling. Consultation calls allow clients to get reassurance, guidance, ideas, and confidence to start their projects. Sometimes all someone needs is a confidence boost or a pep talk to help them make their space perfect for them.
Consultation calls are the start of every project and help the ideas flow. Full Virtual Design is a service where I create color schemes, concept designs, floor plans, and shopping lists for your desired space. Virtual Organization & Styling is for those smaller-scale projects.
I will give ideas, and advice and create a plan for how to upgrade those smaller areas of your home. Also, creativity is endless in design. I love working on loving homes but events are another aspect of my work I love. Creating tablescapes, and arrangements and sharing party ideas is something I am always thrilled to do!
My favorite part about design and styling is creating spaces that speak to the client. I love getting to know my clients and making their homes feel like a reflection of them and their lives. Their stories, adventures, pets, interests, memories, and collections are all that make each home uniquely beautiful.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
I love using books for inspiration and for collecting.
One of my favorites is, In The Pink: Dorothy Draper by Carleton Varney. Dorothy Draper has been one of my biggest inspirations because of her whimsical, bold, and playful design along with how she shaped the interior design industry. I received this book as a gift and have been in love with every page since.
Emily Henderson’s Styled is another great resource I recommend. I grew up watching her show, Secrets From a Stylist, and loved how her designs told the story of who the clients are.
Pricing:
- Full Virtual Design & Virtual Organization and Styling is an hourly rate.
- Consultation Calls are $150
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.graceryandesigns.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grace_ryan_designs/
