Interior designer, Clerestory Design
Interior designer, Clerestory Design
NAME/AGE: Kasey Stone Stamey, 29
TITLE/OCCUPATION: Owner / Interior designer, general contractor
EMPLOYER: Self. Operates Clerestory Design
YEARS IN INDUSTRY: Seven
SALARY RANGE: $40,000 to $70,000-plus
What does your job entail?"I do residential interior design, from transforming a home to accessorizing a bookcase. I do conceptual design and interior design using CAD (computer assisted design) drawings. And I'm a licensed general contractor. I do a lot of renovation work, mostly renovation of old homes. Because I'm a designer, it's important for me to find out what my clients want. Usually, my clients feel passionate about their homes and what they want." How did you become involved in this line of work?"I love old things. My parents were collectors. They used to take me to antique shows. I've always been taught to love old things." Stamey earned a bachelor of environmental design in architecture at N.C. State University. While working summers for an architect firm, she says, "I realized that while I enjoy that aspect I wanted to have more client activity and I wanted to have more input into the design of homes."
Upon graduation she enrolled at UNCG, where she earned a bachelor's degree in interior architecture and afterward worked as an interior designer in Greensboro. Then her father bought a house to flip in Washington, N.C., and wanted her to do the design work. But she decided to take on the entire project. "I realized there was nothing a contractor could do that I couldn't, so I got a general contractor's license in 2006. That led to the creation of my business, Clerestory Design."
What training or education is required?"To be a general contractor you need to pass a licensing exam and have knowledge of construction, how to use a code book and a general understanding of how things are built, such as structural loads, plumbing and electrical wiring. You also need experience as a carpenter or exposure to construction through earning a two- or four-year degree. For interior design, you need a formal education in design, with either a two- or four-year degree."
What does it take to do your job successfully?"Patience. Organization. Flexibility. Creativity. You also have to be able to make clients understand and imagine or see what a space will be when it's completed. You have to communicate with people on different levels — clients, plumbers and others. You have to be persistent. I genuinely love these old homes. Because of the time and energy it takes, you have to be passionate about it."
Stamey recently bought and moved into a renovated brick home built in 1937 in Greensboro's Lindley Park, handling the striking interior design. "I only looked at old homes. Older homes just have a character and charm that new homes don't have."
What's most challenging about your job?"Communicating with everyone involved, bringing them together and making them understand what's wanted and communicating the design. Also, in old homes, you don't know what you'll find. It's often challenging, working with building codes and bringing a home up to code, but still retaining the character of an older home and working within the project's budget. Working with historic boards is also challenging. You can't give up. If you stay positive, they'll stay positive."
What is most rewarding?"You can preserve these homes and return them to what they once were. You're saving history and memories and creating a space for the homeowners that they're proud of and it's what they want." And, Stamey says, her work is rewarding because she takes along her dog, "Guinness," a black Labrador retriever.
Any advice for someone interested?"You need to try to get as much exposure as you can to this business — do, see, watch and ask questions. I'm still learning. You've got to find people you work well with and who understand the quality of work you want and that you trust them. If you don't love old homes, don't do it."
Have an idea for Job Talk? Contact Patrick Collins at 412-5934 or pcollins@news-record.com.
Kasey Stone Stamey is a self-employed interior designer and gene
