We recently had the chance to connect with Gina Jacobson and have shared our conversation below.
Gina, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: Have you ever been glad you didn’t act fast?
This question reminds me of my sourcing process. When I’m selecting the best pieces for my clients, I take a slower, more intentional approach. Each item is carefully reviewed to ensure it’s not only aesthetically and functionally right, but also as non-toxic, locally made, energy-efficient, durable, and recyclable as possible. It certainly takes more time, but both my clients and I believe it’s well worth the effort.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
As I mentioned, my sourcing process is very different from that of most designers. Beyond that, CL Designs is unique because I offer Seasonal Interior Design Services, physical mail subscriptions, and a timeless design aesthetic that focuses on lasting style rather than passing trends or DIY ideas.
Each Seasonal Interior Design Service reflects the lifestyles of a specific season. Whether it’s spring, summer, fall, or winter, every project includes custom pieces made just for my client’s space. The designs are meant to capture the mood of the season and make daily living more intuitive and enjoyable. Every item is carefully chosen for its craftsmanship and quality and is never mass-produced.
The physical subscription service builds on this idea by delivering a seasonal experience straight to my clients’ doors. Each March, June, August, and November, subscribers receive a beautifully and ecologically-friendly packaged box that includes seasonal décor, a new designer item inspired by current design innovations, and a handwritten note from me, Gina Jacobson of CL Designs. It’s a personal and tailored way to bring the spirit of each season into a home or workspace.
At the heart of everything I do is a timeless design approach that honors craftsmanship while embracing the best of modern design.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I believe that what often breaks the bonds between people are unmet expectations, while what sustains or restores those bonds are clear expectations that are openly shared upfront. In business, this means that when we begin working together, it’s essential that both sides have a clear understanding of what will happen. For me as the designer, this means communicating my process from the very beginning. For my clients, it means clearly expressing their goals and desired outcomes.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I think what has stopped me from giving up, even when it gets really hard to design using green design principles and when I am always looking at the merits of the materials with which I’m designing, is just knowing that first of all, there is really no other way to design, in my opinion, and second of all that being a designer is all I have ever wanted to be and I have a lot to offer my clients, in terms of real ways to make their lives better.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I really admire the smaller vendors that I work with who are making products using amazing techniques and employing green, non-toxic materials, even when it is more complicated to do so. These are the people who do not get a lot of credit yet continue to produce items with integrity, and my clients and I truly respect and want to support that.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
The story I hope people will tell about me when I’m gone (when it comes to my work) is that I made a difference in the quality of people’s lives. I would love to be remembered not only for enhancing their daily functionality and enjoyment, but also for contributing to their physical health and well-being, as well as the health of the planet. I feel like I say it all the time, but I strive to bring real luxury into people’s lives by incorporating green, healthy, and timeless interior design into their spaces.
Contact Info:
- Website: HTTPS://www.CLdesignsFit.com
- Instagram: @CLdesignsFit
- Facebook: @CLdesignsFit
- Other: Pinterest @CLdesignsFit
Image Credits
Featured Photograph: Julia Graylow Photography
Others: Gina Jacobson, CL Designs
