Design Santa Barbara
Leah Ortega with Michael Kourosh in a cozy Interior living space
Leah Ortega’s Inspiration For Interior Design
About Leah
Leah aspires to become a residential interior designer and specialize in hospitality. Currently she studies Interior Design at Santa Barbara City College and is pursuing her associates degree. She was Vice-President of the Design Club and is currently interning at Smith Firestone and Associates to gain hands on experience. Her travels inspire her and she loves to incorporate inspiration found through travels in her designs.
“Growing up I changed my furniture in my room every couple weeks to see how I could improve my room, I knew then that I wanted to be an interior designer. I want to be able to make people feel comfortable and enjoy their spaces. Each space is different and being able to create something different with each room and client has inspired me to become an interior designer.
Vignette Inspiration
The inspiration for my space was a New York style loft. The art piece I selected as the focal point in the room is what sparked that inspiration. Once I found the painting I knew what room I wanted to create. The colors in the painting are carried out into the room to give the room a warmer feeling. New York lofts are typically open floor plans and this space is divided just as a New York loft would be.
I want to design residential homes and specialize in hospitality. Upon graduation I hope to get a job at a firm and become a certified interior designer. Ultimate goal is to own my own interior design firm and a home goods store with hand selected antiques that I find within travels.
What makes my style unique is that I’m not afraid to experiment with patterns, colors, textures, art pieces, etc. to create a space. I love to incorporate the new and the old. I constantly seek inspirations and my style is forever revolving.”
-Leah Ortega
Designer Alexandra Lindahl
“I moved from Sweden to pursue my goal to become an Interior Designer. I will be obtaining an A.A. degree in Interior Design next year from Santa Barbara City College. From an earlier education, a diploma within fashion design, which included fabric learning, materials, and furniture design. I have traveled around the world and I believe that the designs and cultures I have seen have reflected on my style. So I have personally a unique style. My dream is to start a broad business that could help clients with anything within Interior Design and I believe my experiences and education would help me adapt quickly from client to client.
Ever since I was probably 4-5 years old, my passion has been decorating and furnishing. I knew from a very young age that Interior Design is something I want to proceed with and develop within. The Interior Design education do not exist in Sweden so after high school, I decided to work for a couple of years and then move to Santa Barbara to pursue my dream.
About Vignette
My theme or design I would call feminine, Scandinavian with a contemporary touch. I chose this style because I feel like the Scandinavian style would be different and unique compare to the other designs. I also wanted the living room to provoke a clean and intimate feeling. And I used textures, repeating patterns and colors to create visual interest.
My long-term goal is to finish the highest level of education within Interior Design, and from there develop a business with a broad knowledge and view. My dream would be to work within everything from residential to commercial, from decorating, remodeling, and staging to new projects.
I have traveled the world at a young age and seen many different styles. I also have the knowledge from my education about different styles. With that knowledge, I have created a style that is functional and broad. I can see beauty in every style, but for my personal taste, I prefer clean, modern and sophisticated.” – Alexandra Lindahl
Designer Myrna Munoz
My Name is Myrna Sae Munoz. I was born in the city of San Salvador, El Salvador. I attended the National University of El Salvador where I received my Major Degree in Architecture in the year of 2005. My first job in the field of architecture was in 2002, I worked as a drafting assistant. In 2005 I got my first job as an architect Jr in a design firm where I got the opportunity to work in projects like commercial, residential, and interior design. I worked there for 4 years. After that I worked for a structural design company for another 2 years.
I started my own practice in 2011. My team and I worked in projects of architectural design, construction, and interior design. In December 2013 I moved to Santa Barbara where one year later I enrolled in the Interior Design Program at SBCC. My goal is to complement my Architect degree with Interior Design. I am looking forward having my own practice in this country.
Interior design is a complement of architecture, since I decided to study architecture; interior design was a dream in the path of my career, been able to create a design starting from the exterior to a deep detail in the interior was my goal.
Design Vignette
My design is eclectic and my inspiration was ” sense of age” I used classical elements combine with a free style living. The leather sectional has the personality of the space for been a heavy piece and classic material. As is the leather, the chair is also a classic element inspired in the bergère chair of French Rococo. Furthermore, adding a light accent in the room. The ruler in my space is the 200 years old rug; it set the tones of my color scheme.
I want to keep learning and growing my career, adding knowledge and experiences to my life. My next step in the learning process would be a master degree in architecture. In additon, I am looking forward to have my own design practice.
That is a combination of foreign culture, experiences a lot of history reading. As well as, passion for design, I conceived every design thinking that needs to be functional. With elements that speak by them self, adding personality, character , and beauty.
-Myrna Munoz
