Jessica McKay, Interior Design
Jessica McKay is one of the presenters at this Thursday’s Pecha Kucha Night Omaha #14 (details below). The Birdhouse Interior Design founder/owner/designer shares with Les Femmes Folles about how she went from an art/sociology graduate to an interior designer, her thoughts on feminism, how Birdhouse began and more…
Tell me about your background.
I’m not originally from Omaha. I’m from New Mexico and moved here after college. I have lived in Omaha for 7 years.
How did you get into interior design?
I studied art in college and was never all that great at any medium. I decided to finish with both a studio art and sociology degree and then go into social services. After a few years working for non-profits, I realized I didn’t love not having an outlet for my creativity. At the same time, my husband and I bought our first home and I completely gut renovated it. It was a 1910 foursquare in Field Club and I realized how much I loved appreciating, enhancing, and modernizing the house’s beauty. After that, I couldn’t stop and started to blog about everything. People started asking for help, and I decided to take some classes and dive into the interior design world.
Tell me about your style/inspirations.
I love juxtaposition. I love taking opposites and somehow creating balance. I love character and think vintage and antiques in spaces are important. I am big into mixing patterns and textiles as well. I can’t really tell you my style because I love so much.
What is your latest project you’re excited about?
I’m excited to start breaking in to more commercial spaces. I think it is so important to your brand to create a vibe with your decor that everyone will understand. We have a pretty big project in the beginning stages, and I’m so excited to get it started.
What does feminism mean to you?
I’ve never really considered myself a feminist. I don’t really think about it. I guess that is what I actually consider feminism to be - not focusing on gender too much and simply focusing on my goals and passions and creating a world for me to be successful at what I love.
Do you think Omaha is a good place to be a woman in the arts?
Again, I’m not sure I notice if it is or not. I think Omaha is a good place to be a talented person in the arts.
Can you tell us what you’ll talk about at Pecha Kucha Night?
I will be talking about the marriage of interior design and fine art. Mostly about the concept for HOME: A Birdhouse Interiors and Art Exhibition, and what all went into creating it this past December.
Tell me about starting Birdhouse Interior Design and why its important to you.
I started Birdhouse because I believe there is a huge gap between the perception of interior design and the actual process. I think living in a beautiful space and surrounding yourself with a life of memories is important. But, I don’t think your space should look like a designer showroom and I don’t think I have to tell you to hide away your comic book collection if that is important to you. I know that interior designers are thought of as snobby, and often that is true. However, I want everyone to realize that if you take the time to present your best self to the world, you will have more confidence to invite your friends over, etc. and therefore create more memories that will add to catalog of your life. But, I don’t think you have to have everything perfect in order embrace this lifestyle. I think you just have to be thoughtful about everything. It’s really not just about the paycheck for me. It is the art medium that I’m really good at!
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Jessica presents with eight others Thursday, January 26, 8-11p.m., for Pecha Kucha Night Omaha #14, at Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. Check out designallianceomaha.org for details.
For more information about Birdhouse Interior Design Consultancy visit birdhouseinteriors.com.
