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.
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
