Renowned interior designer Kelly Wearstler, known for her high-profile celebrity clients and luxury hotel designs, has revealed that a former job as a waitress provided the foundational skills for her successful career. Before establishing her design studio in 1999, Wearstler spent time waiting tables to manage student loan debt.
The 57-year-old designer credits this early experience with teaching her invaluable lessons in communication and client service, which she continues to apply in her work with clients like Gwen Stefani and Cameron Diaz. She explained that the role forced her to become a better listener and overcome her natural shyness.
Key Takeaways
- Acclaimed designer Kelly Wearstler worked as a waitress before launching her design career.
- She states the job taught her essential skills like active listening and asking precise questions.
- Wearstler believes the experience helped her overcome shyness and learn to connect with people.
- She draws a direct parallel between providing a great experience in a restaurant and creating a personalized space for a design client.
From Humble Beginnings to a Design Empire
Long before her name became synonymous with bold, sophisticated interior design, Kelly Wearstler was navigating a different kind of service industry. After completing her studies in interior, architectural, and graphic design, she took on a waitressing job to support herself financially and pay down student loans.
This period preceded the launch of her own design studio in 1999. Over the past two decades, that studio has grown into a global brand, encompassing a product line, numerous hotel projects, and a client list featuring prominent celebrities. Her work has earned her a place on Architectural Digest’s AD100 list and Time Magazine’s The Design 100.
A Career of Accolades
Kelly Wearstler is not only a celebrated designer but also an educator in her field. She was the first interior designer to teach a MasterClass, sharing her expertise with a global audience and solidifying her status as a leader in the industry.
The Unexpected Classroom of a Restaurant
Wearstler sees a direct connection between her time serving customers in a restaurant and her current role creating bespoke environments for clients. She emphasizes that both jobs are fundamentally about understanding and serving people's needs to create a memorable experience.
The core skills, she explained, were forged in the fast-paced restaurant environment. It was there she learned the art of communication that now defines her client relationships.
"[It taught me how to] just be a good listener. You had to be a good listener, and then you also have to know how to ask the right questions. Both go hand in hand."
These two skills—listening intently and posing insightful questions—are critical for any designer tasked with translating a client's abstract vision into a tangible, livable space.
Overcoming Shyness Through Service
The role also had a profound personal impact. Wearstler admitted she was shy, and the repetitive, public-facing nature of waiting tables helped her build confidence and find her voice.
"I was also very shy and it really helped me to speak up," she said. "Every time you go to a table, you have a speech and say ‘Hi, I’m Kelly’ so that really helped me."
This daily practice of engagement became a form of training, preparing her for future presentations and high-stakes client meetings that are now a regular part of her work.
Fact: Kelly Wearstler draws a parallel between her two careers, stating, "It’s very social and I’m all about taking care of people. I love giving them an amazing experience and it’s what I do now. It just happens to be visual and I’m not serving food."
Wearstler's Philosophy on Timeless Design
Speaking at a recent event, Wearstler shared her broader philosophy on what makes a home truly special. She stressed the importance of history and authenticity in creating a space with depth and character.
"Being a great designer, you have to know history," she stated. "It’s all about having a home that has an old soul and new spirit."
This approach encourages homeowners to blend historical elements with contemporary style, creating a layered and personal environment. She views a home not as a static project but as an evolving space that reflects the lives of its inhabitants.
- Authenticity is Key: Wearstler advises that design choices should be deeply personal.
- Nurture Your Space: A home is something to be constantly cared for and updated over time.
- Know Your Priorities: Understanding what is most important to you is the first step in creating a meaningful home.
Her final piece of advice is a call for introspection. "You have to ask yourself what is most important to you and make design choices really personal to yourself," she urged. This principle ties back to her earliest lessons in service: it all begins with listening, whether to a customer in a restaurant or to oneself when creating a home.