Leah Alexander is the Founder and Principal Interior Designer of the Atlanta-based interior design firm, Beauty Is Abundant. According to Data USA, 2017 reports indicate that only 6.3% of interior design degrees were awarded to Black or African American students. We spoke to the creative entrepreneur about her personal design aesthetic and journey in an industry in desperate need of significant disruption. As a bonus, Leah curated a specialty design guide to revamping your at-home creative spaces. Get the full list of products and where to buy in this downloadable workbook now in The Quaint Shoppe.
This interview has been edited for clarity and flow.
Tell us who you are. Where are you from? How did you end up on this career path?
After graduating from San Diego State University, I moved to Los Angeles where I began my career in Interior Design. I worked for a bath design company planning events in celebration of new design collaborations and installations around LA. I was fortunate to travel to Europe and work for a bit in Miami with the company, learning the ins and outs of furniture, lighting, tile, plumbing, art, manufacturing, importing from Europe, and the like. From there I joined an amazing Australia-based eco-friendly company and specialized in multi-family sustainable design and building. Throughout this time, I’ve had incredible travel opportunities to Australia, Las Vegas, Denver, and San Diego. Then I moved to Atlanta to join a growing kitchen and bath design company where I rounded out a decade of working, learning, and growing as an employee. Year 10 was the turning point after on-the-job training and certifications in the design field. With this knowledge and a carefully nurtured network, Beauty Is Abundant, was born.
As an interior designer, you are consistently bringing your clients’ visions to life. So, I’m interested in your personal design aesthetic. How would you describe it?
My personal aesthetic is a neutral color palette, functional, less is more, chic, elegant, and clean. Mixed materials from wood to lucite, metallic mirrors, glass, and sumptuous fabrics create a sanctuary for me in my home.
Pivoting back to clients. Many creatives are working from home, so we’ve been thinking a lot about how to revamp at-home creative spaces. What are some ways creatives can freshen up their spaces and keep the creativity flowing?
We absolutely have been spending more time at home, working, entertaining, and reflecting. The best start to any home refresh is decluttering, cleaning, and organizing. If a donation run is in order, I fully support that! From there, soft goods are a great place to start changing the at-home experience. Throw blankets and pillows, rugs and bedding are fairly easy ways to make a big impact. It’s not always necessary to buy completely new throw pillows. New pillow covers, in the right size, change a sofa significantly! Changing around art and mirror locations is a great way to have new sensations when at home, along with rotating plants. New candles are a great way to include another sense in a new way at home. And considering a runner rug, for example in the kitchen and/or bathroom rather than a small mat makes an entire home feel more liveable and cohesive.
Tell us about Beauty Is Abundant. What is your manifesto? Who do you serve? What makes the Leah Alexander approach so special?
Beauty Is Abundant is an Interior Design firm created with experience, faith, trust, plain-old grit, and the choice to stop playing small and start living larger-than-life. We offer a full range of design services to encourage clients to thrive and live the beautiful lives they want to lead. We’re a purpose-driven, heart-centered firm serving good, open-minded clients who are receptive to supporting a diverse range of vendors and artists to add beauty and value to their homes. My approach is about making clients feel heard as they’ve made it; to help clients realize their aspirations in their home or business lives. In the case of a commercial project; abundance, shifting paradigms to prioritize inclusion, and an attitude of gratitude which makes seeing how abundant beauty is a whole lot easier.
To learn more about Leah and Beauty Is Abundant, visit www.leahalexander.info. Follow the interior designer on social media @leahdalexander_ and @beautyisabundant.
