- October 29, 2024
- Risha Walden
A Leap Into the Unknown: My First Major Project
Back in 2009, I was fresh out of design school and eager to dive into the world of interior design. But, as you’d expect, I had little experience. Up until that point, I had only redesigned two of my friends’ homes, and I hadn’t even charged them for it! So, you can imagine my surprise when a once-in-a-lifetime project dropped into my lap: I was hired to design a brand new 10,000-square-foot home from top to bottom.
Overwhelmed? Definitely. But I was also excited, knowing that it was time to take everything I had learned and apply it to this monumental project. It didn’t take long to realize, though, that the world of interior design wasn’t as simple as I had imagined. With endless options and design choices, I found myself feeling lost and unsure of where to even begin.
Through tireless research, dedication, and perseverance, I pushed through the uncertainty. The final result? A stunning, cohesive design that my clients loved, and a deeper understanding of the complexities and nuances of the design world.
The Health Journey That Transformed My Career
For the next six years, I continued to hone my skills, helping families create beautiful, functional spaces that felt like home. But during this journey, something unexpected happened. I started struggling with my health, specifically my weight. What had once been easy to maintain was now a challenge. My research led me to try a vegan diet, thinking I could stop if it didn’t work for me.
What I didn’t expect was that this dietary change would lead me down a rabbit hole, not just in terms of food, but in how reliant our society is on animal products in every aspect of life—including home design. I quickly realized that I couldn’t continue using materials like leather, silk, and fur in my work. It didn’t align with my new lifestyle or my values.
Facing Criticism: The Road to Vegan Design
Making the switch wasn’t easy. Many people ridiculed my choices, questioning why I would challenge a system that had worked for so long. But I stayed true to my beliefs, knowing that I was on the right path.
That decision ultimately transformed my career. Today, I am the leading expert in luxury vegan interior design, helping families across the globe create cruelty-free, environmentally conscious, and beautifully designed spaces. I even had the incredible opportunity to visit a fully vegan hotel in Santorini, Greece, which only strengthened my belief that our surroundings have a profound impact on our health, both mentally and physically.
Finding Beauty in Every Space
Growing up, I was always surrounded by beauty. My parents spent a lot of time creating comfortable, personalized spaces for each member of the family, including my room, which was decorated in a French style that I adored. But as I visited other people’s homes, I noticed something that stood out: not everyone enjoyed the same level of creativity and color in their spaces. In fact, many of the homes I visited were mundane, lifeless, and, frankly, boring.
I couldn’t help but make suggestions and rearrange furniture to inject life into these spaces. Every time, my friends were amazed by how a few simple changes completely transformed their homes. I even redesigned my brother’s friend’s house, a bachelor pad, and his jaw literally dropped when he saw the transformation. That’s when I realized it wasn’t that people wanted to live in boring spaces—they simply didn’t know how to create something better.
The Power of Vegan Interior Design
I wasn’t necessarily the brightest bulb in the box, but I had a natural talent for putting pieces together and creating spaces that made people feel good. And when I became vegan, my mission shifted. I realized that interior design could be both beautiful and ethical, and that it was my responsibility to show people how to live in homes that reflect their values—homes that are cruelty-free and promote positive energy.
Today, I continue to help people live their dreams by designing homes that align with their aesthetics and lifestyle. I’m passionate about helping my clients express themselves through design, and I believe that each room should tell a story—a story of who they are and how they want to live.
My Mission: Changing the World One Room at a Time
Ultimately, my mission is simple: to change the world and make it beautiful, one room at a time. And with every project, I’m proving that you don’t need to sacrifice style, luxury, or comfort to create a space that’s kind to animals, good for the planet, and, most importantly, makes you feel at home.
