EP#26 Soraya Blends Engineering and Artistry in Interior Design Magic
May 07, 2024
Didier Nicholas
Ever wonder how a background in engineering can creatively fuel the reinvention of interior spaces? Soraya, our esteemed guest from Design Staging Group, shares her transformative leap from technical expertise to the artistic realm of interior design. With a full-service firm situated in the charming downtown of Winter Garden, Soraya's tale is one of passion meeting purpose. She also gives us a sneak peek into her recent endeavor—a vintage shop that promises to be a treasure trove of unique finds.
During our conversation, we peel back the layers of interior design, debunking the myth that it's a mere luxury. Soraya spotlights the profound impact it can have on everyday living, from instilling organizational skills and confidence in children to crafting spaces that are as safe as they are stunning. This episode is a masterclass in understanding that design is not just about aesthetics—it's about enhancing lives, one room at a time. Join us for this eye-opening discussion with Soraya where we explore the practical magic of interior design. For more information call (407) 758-1671 or visit https://designstaginggroup.com/
Ever wonder how a background in engineering can creatively fuel the reinvention of interior spaces? Soraya, our esteemed guest from Design Staging Group, shares her transformative leap from technical expertise to the artistic realm of interior design. With a full-service firm situated in the charming downtown of Winter Garden, Soraya's tale is one of passion meeting purpose. She also gives us a sneak peek into her recent endeavor—a vintage shop that promises to be a treasure trove of unique finds.
During our conversation, we peel back the layers of interior design, debunking the myth that it's a mere luxury. Soraya spotlights the profound impact it can have on everyday living, from instilling organizational skills and confidence in children to crafting spaces that are as safe as they are stunning. This episode is a masterclass in understanding that design is not just about aesthetics—it's about enhancing lives, one room at a time. Join us for this eye-opening discussion with Soraya where we explore the practical magic of interior design. For more information call (407) 758-1671 or visit https://designstaginggroup.com/
Speaker 1:
This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Didier Nicolas.
Speaker 2:
Welcome everyone to the Good Neighbor Podcast. My name is Didier Nicolas, I'm your host here and I have the awesome pleasure to introduce Soraya with Design Staging Group. How are you Good morning Soraya. How are you Good morning Soraya? How are you?
Speaker 3:
Good morning, didier, I'm fine. Thank you, it's so much fun to be here. Thank you for inviting me.
Speaker 2:
Oh, you're very, very welcome. So we're going to kind of dive in and we're just going to go right into it and you know, we want to know a little bit about your business.
Speaker 3:
Well Design and Staging Group DSG for short is a full-service interior design firm in downtown Winter Garden. We are also an authorized dealer for Hunter Douglas Motorized Smart Shades and also Norman Shades and Shutter for their quality as well. We do have direct accounts with manufacturers of different furnishings and accessories because we wanted to have more control over our orders, and then we are opening a vintage shop as well in the same area.
Speaker 2:
Wow, congratulations. So you definitely got a lot of things that you're juggling and busy. I love to hear that. Awesome, that is exciting. Well, tell our listeners a little bit about your journey. What made you get into this business? What inspired you?
Speaker 3:
Well, my background is in engineering, but when we moved to US, we had to start a business of our own. So we went into retail. My husband, paul, and I, we started retail stores and we expanded to several stores in all Central Florida malls. People would come to me for advice for, you know, interior design needs and I was giving my opinion. So one day I told my husband that I don't want to give people my opinion. I want to go to school and understand interior design so I can bring solutions for them and also tell them why and why not.
Speaker 3:
So that's when I went to school, got my bachelor degree in interior design and, fast forward to 2016, our boys moved out of the house. We have two sons and my husband was stationed at Dulles Washington Airport to fly out of there he's a commercial pilot. Washington Airport to fly out of there, he's a commercial pilot. So I decided to move instead of letting him to commute. So we moved to Virginia and we loved it Over there because I was so burned out of you know, burnt of retail I started just a studio and I loved every second of it.
Speaker 2:
So then, when we moved back here, I just continued with having a design studio wow, that's an interesting uh story in terms of background and I like what you bought up. You bought up the word opinions. You just didn't want to give people opinions. You wanted to actually learn your craft and study your craft. So then it becomes more of something that you know that you can relate to people, correct?
Speaker 3:
Exactly Because, unfortunately, a lot of times people in those roles, in the consultation roles, they think they know things, but I am fact-based and I like to, you know, tell people because based on reasons and experiences and also science. So, and I was amazed when I went to design school how much more than I thought I learned about this trade, because it's not about just aesthetics and beauty, and you know it's it's about safety, it's about you know building codes, fire safety. So all of those things makes you as a professional to pay attention to details that maybe your clients don't pay attention to and that makes it much more valuable to them and I sleep better at night well, that's well said, and you know, knowledge is king, right yes, the more knowledge that you have about something, the better off you you can prepare yourself to be able to have a decent conversation.
Speaker 2:
So let me ask you this what are some of the myths or misconceptions that you would like to share about your industry? And it could be one or two.
Speaker 3:
Well, the fact that they think interior design is a luxury, I think it's a myth because I have seen what interior design does to people's life. I've seen children behave much better. They are more organized because now they have a place and a reason to put things. They do better at school. They just become a better person, and what better than teaching your child to be more organized, self-confident and deal with life in a better way? But also, people come home to a relaxed environment, to an organized, clean environment. So they are more relaxed, they are proud of their homes and they do better in social setting, they invite people more to their house and they just, you know, have a better living environment. So I want people to know that interior design is not a myth. It's really a luxury. Now you don't have to do much, you don't have to spend a lot of money, but a well-thought placement of furniture or ample, you know, storage, it just makes a huge difference.
Speaker 2:
And sometimes less is best in the grand scheme of things, so you're not into all the clutter and stuff like that too as well.
Speaker 3:
Yes.
Speaker 2:
But sometimes people.
Speaker 3:
I'm sorry to break. No, go ahead. I feel like sometimes people need a third person opinion to get rid of stuff. The process of eliminating that everybody talks about so much it's not an easy thing. It's very mind-boggling. So if you have another person that is not attached to anything you own, telling you the reasons and you know helps you to eliminate some things, that's really valuable.
Speaker 2:
Wow, that is. That's awesome how you put that, Very nice. So what you know, we're all busy in this day-to-day world that we're in, so what are some of the things you kind of like to do for fun, just to relax?
Speaker 3:
Well, I love to travel, Paul, and I love to travel to Europe and explore the cities in Europe. It's just amazing. The history, the different way of living is just fascinating. But one of the reasons we moved back to Florida was to be around our sons and, last but not least, to play with my almost one-year-old grandson. It is a bundle of joy.
Speaker 2:
Well, congratulations on that, thank you. We're getting ready to wrap this up, and is there one thing that stands out that you would like to leave our listeners with?
Speaker 3:
well, um, I want them to know that we are here to bring their ideas to life, not to force our ideas on them. Unfortunately, some designers only want to force people to do their way of decoration and design, but we are here to help people people and I always want to leave a great experience for them, and I will. If I see a little bit of worry in their eyes, I feel like I haven't done my job fully yet, so I want them to be excited about their projects okay, that's nice.
Speaker 2:
Um so, as we wrap up here, can you give our listeners um your website, your phone number and how they can get a hold?
Speaker 3:
of you. Yes, my cell phone, my only cell phone, is 407 758-1671. They can call me text anytime. We have a website, designstaginggroupcom. We are on Instagram and Facebook and we are part of. We are Winter Garden and Windermere and Surrendering area Facebook. So those are the ways and they can always visit us at 120 South Diller Street, but call first because we might be at a job site.
Speaker 2:
Awesome. Well, thank you so much for, you know, being able to be part of this podcast. Soraya, Again, she's with Design Staging Group and we're excited to have her and we look forward to hopefully having her back on the show in the near future.
Speaker 3:
Wonderful. Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 2:
You're welcome.
Speaker 1:
Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor Podcast. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to gnpwindermerecom. That's gnpwindermerecom, or call 407-783-8320.