Q&A with Estee Stanley | From Stylist to Celebrity Interior Designer

by Juliette Hohnen
May 10, 2023
Blog, Design, Lifestyle
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About Estee Stanley

A native to Southern California, Estee Stanley went from fashion stylist to interior designer! Having designed homes for Patrick Dempsey, Jay Z & Beyonce and Justin Timberlake (to name only a few), you’ve probably seen her featured in noted editorials such as Forbes and Architectural Digest. I had the pleasure to meet up with her to learn more about her work that spans 15+ years. How did she do it? Read the Q&A below to find out.

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Q&A

Q.) You started as a stylist for Ashley and Mary Kate Olsen? How did you go from stylist to interior designing Jay Z & Beyonce, Justin Timberlake and Patrick Dempsey’s houses?
A.) Most of my clients would come to my house and I would always change my spaces. They would all ask who designed my house and it was me! So, they asked me to start designing. I basically just winged it.

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Q.) How would you describe your style?
A.) Eclectic and collected… sexy yet cozy.

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Q.) What is your process when working with a client?
A.) I try to act like a DJ and remix what they are thinking in their mind and bring my ideas to come up with a beautiful, fun space.

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Q.) What training did you have to become an interior designer or is it the kind of career that you learn by doing?
A.) It was all learning on site! I had no prior training.

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Q.) What are the secrets of design that you have learned through doing the job?
A.) DON’T BE EMOTIONAL.

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Q.) What are your favorite things to do to a living room to freshen it up?
A.) New pillows, accessories, drapery, and possibly a new coat of paint.

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Q.) Do you have a favorite paint color?
A.) Sherwin Williams Pediment.

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Q.) Favorite design trend currently?
A.) Bright colors.

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Q.) Do you have a favorite piece of furniture that you want to buy right now?
A.) Always and too many to list.
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Q.) You also have a banana bread store and an agency for interior designers. How do you go from idea to execution and be the entrepreneur that you are?
A.) I think I love doing a bunch of different things. I am an ideas-person and I see people all of the time with great ideas. But, they don’t execute them! I like to execute and see things to the bitter end 🙂 .