Floor Designer Highlight: Brie Bobalek

Please be a part of us in celebrating this month’s highlight floor designer, Brie Bobalek. We all know you’ll discover her story inspiring!

Please introduce your self.

Since I used to be younger, I used to be at all times concerned in several types of creativity. My mother and father enrolled me in my first dance class on the age of three as a result of they noticed how a lot I might gentle up and dance each time music performed. I worth the truth that they acknowledged my ardour, and I’m grateful they allowed me to pursue it.

As I acquired older, I discovered myself drawn to style and artwork simply as a lot as dance, and I’m genuinely satisfied my artistic endeavors performed a big position in shaping the particular person I’m at this time.

I dwell in NYC and I grew up in Midland, a boring small metropolis in Michigan, surrounded by my 16 siblings (together with my mother and father’ 4 organic children, and the 13 they adopted.) Agewise, I fall proper within the center. Nevertheless, regardless of being the center baby, which tends to have the status of being forgotten… I used to be at all times engulfed in plenty of love and doted on whereas rising up.

My artistic nature allowed me to face out in my household and affectionately labeled me by my grandma as “the black sheep of the household that glitters.”

Inform us a little bit bit about your design journey.

After I moved to New York, my ardour for style was intensified by the town’s vibrancy. I labored as a wardrobe stylist, freelancing and aiding on varied tasks resembling commercials, photoshoots, editorial shoots, and unbiased movies. Then at some point an expensive pal of mine who works as a set designer wanted assistance on set. I supplied to help, and earlier than I knew it, what was initially alleged to be a short-term mission become me serving to on set on a regular basis.

Whereas engaged on set for a Victoria’s Secret Vacation business, as an alternative of dressing the fashions, I dressed the room. What trinkets and tchotchkes can we use to tie the room collectively? What components carry an ambiance that embodies a colourful, cozy vacation vibe? Is there lighting over right here? What ought to we put over there? Inevitably there’s a lot to consider when designing a set and creating the look of a room.

Similar to placing an outfit collectively, a room is made up of separate components that when united, develop into higher than the sum of their components. I began to fixate on the main points of those components. The art work on varied materials, and totally different wallcoverings intertwined into patterns. I might assume to myself… I can draw however questioned how I’d switch my drawings from paper to material and morph them into patterns.

As I delved deeper into this newfound obsession, my thoughts raced extensively with concepts whereas making an attempt to kind them into options. Google, Skillshare, YouTube, then Google once more.

Regardless of my extreme dyslexia, I spent numerous hours taking over the problem of studying Adobe Artistic Cloud applications, which proved tough however worthwhile. My days and nights consisted of me being at work, or at residence studying. Although I typically felt immensely overwhelmed, I by no means stopped being decided. It’s what saved me going.

And now right here we’re at this time. I’m a floor sample designer, chasing after my artistic desires to collaborate with different creatives and license my work.

Do you’ve got a favourite portfolio design or shopper collaboration?

My favourite design isn’t the design itself, however the story behind the design. I used to be requested to design a sample for a really expensive pal who was getting married in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She wished a unusual interpretation of the Copacabana sidewalk together with two parrots, as they’re recognized to be lovebirds who mate for all times.

She instructed this sample was to be cohesively used all through the week of her wedding ceremony. Every little thing from the menus, welcome playing cards, social gathering favors, seaside towels, flip flops, tote luggage… even a blown-up model of the sample for the dance flooring.

General the sample introduced a way of unity and concord to the couple’s large day tying every part collectively in a good looking constant method. The rationale that is one in all my favourite design tales is due to how a lot she cherished the design, and I virtually didn’t ship it to her as an possibility as a result of I didn’t prefer it.

The truth that she selected the one I virtually didn’t ship ended up being an enormous design lesson for me! Regardless that I won’t like one thing, doesn’t imply the shopper will really feel the identical method.

What or who’re you impressed by?

Folks, music, style, and journey have repeatedly been basic facets of my artistic design course of.

Folks can function a wealthy supply of inspiration as a result of every particular person possesses a novel character and story that always ignites my curiosity to study extra.

Music — I might die with out music. It’s a big affect. The emotive energy of music evokes so many feels! It kinds recollections and brings pleasure, pleasure, and unhappiness… music positively lets me faucet into my feelings.

Vogue and journey broaden my perspective and encourage me always. Inspiration is in all places.

Do you’ve got sources you’d wish to advocate?

Really feel Free journal by Leanne Ford is {a magazine} I like to recommend. It celebrates the sweetness in imperfections and is total such a terrific vibe.

What do you love to do outdoors of floor design?

Dwelling in NYC could be very inspiring so you possibly can at all times discover me strolling. I stroll in all places within the metropolis. It’s a terrific easy pleasure I really take pleasure in. I additionally love catching up with pals over drinks and a pleasant dinner someplace. I’ve actually been craving an evening out for dancing. It’s been some time. I really like to bounce.

Whenever you look again at your design journey up to now, what are you most pleased with?

I’m pleased with myself for not giving up. Life comes with highs and lows, and I’ve had some actually unbelievable lows. These are the occasions I wanted to imagine in myself essentially the most, and fortunately I did, and nonetheless do.

For those who may supply recommendation to different designers who’re struggling, what would that be?

Don’t surrender! If it’s value it to you, then struggle for it irrespective of how difficult it will get. Hold placing within the work, imagine in your self, and don’t neglect to rejoice the small victories.