Olivia Jordan

Behind the Scenes of Interior Design

This summer, I had the opportunity to intern at SWOON, the Studio, an interior design firm that creates beautiful spaces for homes and businesses. Before I started, I imagined I would see big creative moments, beautiful furniture, exciting ideas, and stunning rooms coming together. While there was certainly creativity involved, I quickly discovered that great design is built on countless small decisions that most people never see.

The first project I worked on was staining wood samples using different finishes. The task may seem simple, but a stain can dramatically change the appearance of the same piece of wood. Some finishes brought out warm, natural tones, while others created a cooler, more modern look. Designers often have to experiment before making decisions that clients will live with for years.

Another project that I especially enjoyed was repairing a broken piece of artwork. Piece by piece, I carefully put it back together. The process required patience, attention to detail, and a steady hand. Watching the artwork become whole again was surprisingly satisfying. It reminded me that creativity is not only about making something new. Sometimes it is about restoring something that already has value.

One of the things that surprised me most was how much time designers spend evaluating materials. I helped organize and compare fabric samples, placing them together on the design wall to see how different colors, textures, and patterns interacted. A fabric that looked perfect by itself sometimes felt completely different when paired with wood flooring, paint colors, or other textiles. Successful design is about creating harmony among all of these elements.

There are no shortcuts to creating a thoughtful space. Designers spend countless hours measuring, comparing, testing, revising, and solving problems before presenting their final vision to the client. The beautiful photographs that people see online represent only a small part of the work. Behind every finished room are hundreds of decisions that most people will never notice, yet each one contributes to the overall experience. Design is not simply about decoration. It is about understanding how people interact with their environment and creating spaces that are both functional and beautiful.

Although my internship lasted only one summer, it gave me a much deeper appreciation for the profession. More importantly, it reminded me that every field has a side that people rarely see. The finished product may appear effortless, but it is built through careful planning, collaboration, experimentation, and persistence. I am grateful to have experienced that process firsthand. I learned that meaningful work is often built on patience, attention to detail, and the willingness to refine an idea until it truly works. Those are lessons I hope to carry with me in whatever path I choose next.