PAIGE GEFFEN

Interior Designer / Stylist + Founder of Object & Us

Echo Park, Los Angeles, CA

WHAT DO YOU DO?

“I’m an interior designer, stylist, and sort of an ‘object therapist.’”

Sometimes my work intersects all three categories. I design + decorate spaces for my clients, style props + product on set, and I create content for social (I often style vignettes for brands).

WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?

I quit my job at an interior design firm and started to take on freelance gigs as a prop stylist. It was the best (and scariest) decision I've ever made - to follow my intuition and true calling. I've never looked back. I've paved my own way by figuring things out as I go, taking risks, and being authentic in my work and aesthetic vision.

FOR OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR FIELD, WHAT DO THEY USUALLY LACK?

I don't like to talk about lack in general because I'd rather energize abundance. For me, having faith and confidence my skills has been an important part of running my own business. I also love to work with like-minded clients who are looking to grow, enhance, and expand their lives, homes, and/or business in many areas.

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?

I'm working on a few different things: interior design projects, branding for a Brooklyn-based home restoration company, styling for small brands. I'm most excited about my website/project, Object & Us. The focus is on the intention behind the object, the space, and our personal needs. How can we bring items into our lives with mindfulness? I believe that as we learn to do this, we optimize our daily living. Let's curate from our internal space, rather than to fulfill (or I should say, fill) our external desires.

WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?

Artful yet clean, sophisticated yet a bit edgy. I draw inspiration from the outdoors, so materials, textures, and the color palate I am drawn to reflect this. So much of my work is about helping others to find their "taste." This can be done in superficial way, or in a much deeper way, which requires getting to know who you truly are. That's where the work comes in - by tearing down constructs of identity in order to use our objects and aesthetics as a means of connection.

WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?

It's always a delicate balance! I'd love to take on more content creation jobs. I love working with brands who need visual content. It's been a great way for me to connect with other businesses and like-minded people.

WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?

I think the management part is always the most challenging for me. It can be difficult to jump from the creative process and back to the business side of things multiple times in a day (but that's what running a creative business looks like.)

IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?

All of the managerial tasks! That way, I could focus on the creative process the most.

LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?

To trust the process. To not stress about the little things. That's it. I have learned what not to do just as much as what to do through my experience, so it's all been invaluable.

IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?

Probably an expert on business growth/financial growth. I try not to focus too much on what other people are doing creatively. Of course, I draw inspiration from other creatives, but I try to stay out of the process because I don't want to taint my own process.

WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?

I'm not really looking for opportunities so much as I'm looking to grow my client-base with the sessions I offer through Object & Us. This work is truly meaningful to me. It's something that hasn't existed before, so I want it to be seen.

DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.

The most important thing is someone who is kind, open, and respectful. A lot of clients show me imagery and inspiration aligned with their taste, but they sometimes don't trust the process in order to get there. I always ask my clients what they want to bring into their lives (space, serenity, creativity, healing, etc.) before getting into the visual representation of those things. A lot of times people look at pictures and think "that's what I want" before asking themselves what they truly need. I want the collaborative process to be authentic and thoughtful. You don't have to have a crystal clear vision - I'm here to help you to create it!

WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?

This varies between different disciplines. It depends on the project - timeline and overall budget can effect this. Rates for my sessions are listed upfront.

HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?

Shoot me an email, and I will always engage. hello@paigegeffen.com (interiors); hello@objectand.us

Hopping on a quick phone call to determine your needs and expectations is always a quick way to initially see if there's room to work together. Other than referrals, I get jobs through people who find my website/instagram, which is always fun.

HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?

People watching. Painting. Looking at art. Immersing myself with other creative people. Telling my mind to shut the hell up, so that my inner creative voice can speak a little bit louder to me.

LASt one, Who's in your go-to squad?

Jeff Alper, Lauren Spencer King, Meredith Carter, Lacy Phillips, Skin Food Talk (Tara Curran)

I could go on forever, but here are some people who are close to me and happen to be badass creatives who inspire me.

Paige Geffen