Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan Wenzel.
Morgan, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
It was while living in a 600 square foot apartment when I began dreaming about settling outside of the concrete jungle that is San Francisco. I started to make plans with my husband as soon as he graduated from school. I would tell him about my desire to return to the South, and how I wanted to finally start pursuing my dream as a designer. Without jumping directly into school once we moved to Austin, TX, I decided I would start small and get my feet wet. I spent six months in a warehouse selling new and consigned home furnishings and decor. I found it incredibly easy to pair pieces for customers, and that’s where my confidence and knowledge was built. Often furniture was abandoned or thrown out near the dumpster for minor imperfections at the store. That’s when I started rescuing furniture to recycle and up-cycle. Hauling large pieces of furniture up three flights of stairs to our apartment was a challenge, but I was determined, and that’s where the transformation would begin. I learned how to paint, distress, replace hardware, and find these pieces new homes. It’s been two years now, and I am still up-cycling.
My career as an interior decorator came when we bought our first home. We purchased a 1900 square foot, one-story house built in 2005 – my blank canvas – and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. I began to document almost every renovation and decorate every corner of the house for every season and occasion. I discovered what worked and what didn’t – real hands-on learning.
When customers come to pick up furniture from my home, about 50% of the time they ask to see the rest of the house. It’s furniture seen on these tours, pieces of my own, that sometimes also end up going home with the customer.
These interactions with buyers have also created an opportunity for me to connect with them about their own needs and wants for their homes. It was a blessing in disguise – customers for furniture became clients for interior design.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I am an interior decorator who also specializes in furniture up-cycling and refurbishing. My style is modern farmhouse-chic.
Modern farmhouse is the blending of the old with the new – a minimalistic style full of warmth and character, using natural materials consisting of reclaimed wood and industrial metal along with softer fabrics such as linen, cotton, burlap, and grain sack.
Shabby-chic is rustic elegance, with the use of worn and old antiques, or newer pieces distressed and given the same appearance. Shabby-chic can also be compared to French country or cottage-chic – a style delicate, cozy, and oh-so dreamy!
My decorating has elements of both of these styles – a combination of natural wood, industrial metals, feminine florals, and lace, offering a sense of low-key luxury – what I consider my own Modern Farmhouse-chic.
Inspiration comes from the desire for my clients to feel at home, comfortable in their space and surrounded by beauty.
What do you think it takes to be successful as an artist?
As an artist, it is crucial to have the ability to listen and meet the needs of your client – you have completed projects to the best of your ability, and you know without a doubt that your client is satisfied.
It’s also telling when your client has returned for other pieces or projects, when they refer you, and when they remind you of how happy they are that you came into their lives to decorate or fill their space with a one-of-a-kind piece.
To maintain success, it is essential to keep learning, to not get too comfortable with your trade, and to always be willing to do something you’ve never done before. This ensures growth as an artist.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
My refurbished, shabby-chic furniture can be found at https://www.facebook.com/stageyourstory/.
My portfolio for decorating can be seen at https://www.instagram.com/whiterosedecor/.
For your own inquiries regarding interior decorating services or furniture restoration, contact me at morgan@whiterosedecor.com. I would love to hear from you!
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.whiterosedecor.com
- Phone: 512-269-6473
- Email: morgan@whiterosedecor.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whiterosedecor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stageyourstory
Image Credit:
Enid Jones Photography
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