Black History Month: Jenelle Erickson

How did you get started on this career path? Was design always something you had a passion for?

My passion for design was within me since I was a little girl, but at the time, I didn’t see it as an occupation I could pursue. I was fortunate enough to spend summers in New York as a young girl, where I first noticed and appreciated how design truly influences how one lives. From small brownstone apartments to elaborate restaurants and little “hole in the wall” boutique stores, it became apparent the size of a space didn't matter. What mattered was how it was used and how it functioned. It wasn’t until I was studying psychology in college and working part-time at a home décor store, where many designers shopped and shared the projects they were working on with me, I realized this was what I wanted to do; I can do that!

Do you have a personal design philosophy?

Now more than ever, we truly understand the importance of home. My design philosophy is that your home should exude a sense of comfort. It should give a sense of calm, a sense of who you are and should be a space that inspires you.

What inspires you?

The three things that inspire me are people, travel and nature.

Any favourite design trends for 2021?

One of my favourite design trends for 2021 is using deep moody hues in the entirety of a room. The walls, baseboards, casing and built-ins are all the same dark, dramatic paint colour. Walking into a room like this fully embraces you and is intimate.

How do you see the Canadian design community evolving to become more diverse?

I see the Canadian design community evolving to become more diverse by creating opportunities like this, creating a platform for someone like me to be featured. Hopefully, there's a little brown girl who sees herself in me and is inspired to pursue her dream in design. When I grew up, I didn’t see many people like me doing this, which is part of why I didn’t see it as a career I could pursue when I was young. Having more diversity in the design industry will provide a different perspective to design for our multicultural and diverse client base in Canada.

One design tip you think everyone can use in their home?

Do not hang your artwork too high! A little rule of thumb we use is to hang the center of a piece 56"-58" from the floor. This helps the print feel like part of the room and the vignette we are creating.

Do you have a favourite type of project?

I absolutely LOVE kitchens. As we all know, they are the heart of the home. We need to be creative on the aesthetics, but more importantly, they need to function well and have a good flow.

Is there one product you recommend clients splurge on?

I recommend our clients splurge on their drapery. This textile element gets forgotten in a lot of rooms. When done correctly, it expands the height of the ceilings. Think full panels – floor to ceiling.

What's your favourite piece of home décor to shop for?

Bedding is so important. It's where we start and end our day. I love creating full, luscious beds that our client will just want to jump into.