Along with her amazing team, Brittany Krupnik, Founder of Blissful Design Studio, has designed and staged hundreds of homes. Yes, hundreds. So, you’d better believe we had to sit down with this incredibly talented mompreneur and get a view into how she does it all, so beautifully. Along with images of her very own abode, taken by Rennai Hoefer, there are plenty of gems in here—including how she got her start, how she juggles being a mom to three kiddos and what her new podcast is all about!
Interior Design: Blissful Design Studio | Photography: Rennai Hoefer
Tell us a bit about your story. What was your journey to becoming an interior designer and how did Blissful Design Studio come to life?
Blissful Design Studio was born out of what was initially my husband and I flipping homes on the side almost 7 years ago. When we flipped our first home, I knew that the design and staging would play a huge part in our house appealing to potential buyers. What I realized after renovating and staging a few homes was how much I loved the process of designing a home – choosing the finishes and creating moments in the home that would make buyers fall in love with a home! I didn’t go to school for interior design, but when I was younger I could spend hours walking around model homes…if we’re being honest, I still could! But what I think I was drawn to was how a beautifully designed home could make a person feel when they are there – it’s creating a space that potential buyers feel connected to and that is what leads them to wanting to make it their home. At Blissful Design Studio, we believe that design and return on investment can go hand in hand and we design and style spaces that appeal to buyers and stand out from the competition.
If you had to describe your design style like a cocktail, what would it be?
I love this question because I love cocktails! I would say that a new take on an Old Fashioned would be the cocktail that best describes my design style. I like to call my design style Cozy Transitional. Transitional style is all about blending traditional and modern elements. An Old Fashioned is a classic cocktail that represents the timeless elements of traditional design, but the new twist would represent the modern elements that are mixed in there. Plus, bourbon makes me feel warm and cozy, so I think that part represents the things I love that make a space feel welcoming and inviting like wood, textures and cozy textiles. Now I really want an Old Fashioned!
You’ve staged over 400 homes and designed over 250 homes. We’re impressed! How do you stay organized in the design process and juggle several projects?
Thank you! It’s a lot of work! But I am lucky enough to have a wonderful team that supports me. I couldn’t do it all if it weren’t for my designers, project managers and my amazing husband. Having a great client management system doesn’t hurt either! It keeps us way more organized with all of our proposals, contracts and invoices. And let’s be real, sometimes when we are juggling that many projects things can get hectic. That’s when we have to rally and put in some hard work and get things done…and then we can breathe for a bit and get back to it!
What is the most fulfilling part of what you do?
Our tagline is ‘Creating Spaces Where Life Can Be Enjoyed’ and we truly believe that we are doing that through our design and staging. Our ultimate goal is is help the investor or builder to make the most return on their investment when they go to sell the home, but we want them to be proud of the house that they are presenting to buyers as well. I love experiencing the before and after transformations that we provide. On the design side, it’s the culmination of all of the vision and hard work that goes into the renovation process and seeing the finished space. On the staging side, it’s seeing how the furniture, art and accessories can transform a remodeled house into a home for a potential buyer or how a layout that didn’t make sense before suddenly feels natural and really functional. These transformations that take place for design and staging are what allows the investor or builder to provide the buyer with a home that they are proud of and that is beautifully designed, while also making the return on their investment that they wanted.
How do you approach design in your own home when you do it for others on the daily?
Much slower! Whoever said that having yourself for a design client is one of the hardest things was so right! I think I am drawn to and appreciate a lot of different styles, so choosing what I wanted to live with day in and day out was much harder. But other than that, the process was the same. I envisioned how I saw my family living in the home, how we would use the space and how I wanted guests to feel in my home and then I chose a style that I felt best suited the home and the neighborhood and then made it my own. I wanted our home to be warm and inviting, but still bright and clean. I ended choosing warm woods and lot of white and paired that with a few darker elements, brass and leather. I love how the home turned out!
You recently launched a fun podcast this year called Brittany and Katy Have a Podcast (we love listening in!). Tell us more!
This is a really fun passion project for me! My sister-in-law, Katy, and I are really close and we bonded a lot after she started her professional organizing company. We chat all the time about our businesses and balancing life as moms who own businesses. We wanted a platform that allowed us to share our expertise and knowledge on our respective businesses together. We share tips and tricks about design, staging and organization, as well as talk about what it’s like to be entrepreneurs and wives and moms. Talking about the behind the scenes stuff, the awkward moments we have in our businesses and whether or not balance can exist as a creative business owner allows us to connect with our followers and clients in a whole new. Plus we have a lot of fun (and some cocktails too!) while recording together, so if you don’t mind listening to us giggle while we take Buzzfeed style quizzes, then you just might love our podcast! If you want to follow along with us, you can do that on Instagram here and on our website.
You’re also a mama to three beautiful kiddos. Any tips for juggling work and family life and being the kick ass mompreneur that you are?
I have a work hard, play hard mentality in my business that I think allows me to be the best mom I can to my kids. They get to see me, as a wife and mom, working really hard doing something that I love to do and that I’m good at. I love that I can be that example for them, both to my daughters and my son. But I try to be as present as I can when I am home with them. And when they are off of school, we travel a lot! It’s one of the ways that we connect as a family and I love knowing that I am working hard to provide these opportunities for them.
And also in the spirit of honesty and all that… I wouldn’t survive with our nanny (who we love and adore!), DoorDash, Amazon Prime Now and Instacart! I might as well hire my own food and grocery delivery person! I might save myself some money.
What (if any) challenges did you encounter in your first year of business?
The first year of business was fun and exciting despite all of the hard work that went into it. Sure, there were some challenges like finding a moving solution that didn’t involve me and my husband carrying large furniture through small doorways together because we wanted to stay married! But the second year for me was the most difficult. I was experiencing burn out because I was trying to take on so much and do it all myself. I really had to start running things like a business and be willing to say no to projects and opportunities that didn’t make sense from a time and money standpoint. Once I found the right people to join my team and support me, I had to learn how to delegate and manage them the best way possible, which was hard then and sometimes it’s hard now. That second year was hard, but I learned a lot!
What does a beautiful home mean to you and what is your number one tip for crafting a space you’ll love for years to come?
A beautiful home to me is more than just a beautiful design, although that plays a huge part! I feel that it’s a place that you want to come back to every day. It serves as the backdrop for the moments in your life, both big and small. I think a beautiful home serves you well and is functional for how you live day in and day out. When crafting a space that you will love for years to come, I say choose the things that make you happy…and also listen to your designer! I know it’s two things, but they are both so important. Especially the part about listening to your designer!
If you could go to lunch with any boss babe (or gent), who would it be?
I am so inspired by Shea McGee from Studio McGee. I met her once in person and she was so sweet, so I would love the chance to sit down with her for lunch and soak up all her knowledge and killer business and design sense. She is so incredibly talented! Now if you asked me who I wanted to go to happy hour with, that would be a different story! I think Chrissy Teigen would be fun to get drinks with. She always seem to be having a good time and maybe John Legend would stop by and sing!
Instagram account(s) you’re currently crushing on:
There are so many accounts that I am inspired by, but here are some of my favorites right now: @studiomcgee (duh, always!) @lindyegalloway , @parkandoakdesign , @jeanstofferdesign , @katemarkerinteriors & @brookewagnerdesign
Current favorite book and/or podcast:
I am reading the Outlander book series right now and I am obsessed! I’m currently on book 6 of the series. The show is amazing too!
3 apps you can’t live without:
Instagram, Amazon & DoorDash
Favorite beats usually playing in the studio:
I feel like it’s always different. We like a variety of music. But 90s is always a solid choice. Give me all the Keith Sweat, Mariah Carey and Blackstreet!
Interior Design: Blissful Design Studio | Photography: Rennai Hoefer
