Conversations with Camilah Chavez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Camilah Chavez

Hi Camilah, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was the kid who drew bubble letters of my friends’ names, those drawings were slipped into the front sleeves of dozens of binders each school year. By 8th grade, I drew room plans to help process my family’s move. Early on I instinctively understood that our surroundings have a powerful impact on how we feel about ourselves, even influencing our identities.

I was fortunate to be accepted into North Carolina State University’s College of Design, where I graduated as the only Dean’s Award recipient in my class. A professor my freshman year shared that interior design wasn’t “real” design (I’m sure he meant this as tough love or a challenge..), so I pushed the thought of pursuing those interests away. God used that less than pleasant moment, among others, to guide me on an necessary path through the first decade of my career. Each experience diversified and refined my skillset, and ultimately led me back to interior design with a unique perspective beyond the typical scope—one that allows me to truly impact my clients’ lives through my work.

I’d encourage anyone experiencing challenges, pushbacks, or redirection to please keep going! Even situations meant to discourage you can help strengthen something in yourself that allows you to graciously prosper in your purpose.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been a challenging journey, finding my way back to interior design and entrepreneurialism! Imposter syndrome plagued me through many roles.

I used my antique furniture restoration and photography background to document and digitize thousands of pieces for an ethno-modern antiquities and luxury design company, creating an integrated shipping and fulfillment system to support international commerce expansion. For a national art supply chain I designed and implemented visual and merchandising updates, traveling the country to lead installation efforts. I managed a local gallery and team for an international luxury interior design firm, and lead virtual onboarding education for leadership hired as far north as Toronto, south as West Palm Beach, and west as Dallas.

Despite yielding consistent record breaking increases, leading successful events, and advocating for colleagues and clients alike, I struggled to advocate for myself or to see myself as accomplished. I’ve experienced unsafe working conditions, harassment, my foot was even broken and worker’s compensation was refused. Burnout was my existence, and I felt constant heartache seeing people and resources not being utilized with discernment or respect.

In some of the most challenging times, I honed my technical abilities and found the best of what I have to offer! I love to serve people and am fulfilled when humbly seeking ways to strategically uplift others. I believe EVERYONE deserves luxury experiences that make them feel uniquely valued and validated, empowering them to find in themselves the best that they have to offer. The obstacles I faced gave me just enough desire to found my business in 2016, and eventually the self-assuredness fully commit August of 2022.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m now the proud Owner and Principal Designer for Patina Novum Design Studio, serving residential and commercial clients both virtually and in person for renovations, new construction, and final design installations. We specialize in interior design, but also support clients with event planning, marketing collateral design, and public relations services.

Our clients find us for spaces and experiences that are timeless while still being incredibly unique to them, rather than an iteration of a trend. Clients often come away from our projects with a better understanding of themselves, as our process is centered on validating their unique perspectives and stories with authenticity.

We love that we excel in serving clients with more limited budgets or who rent as well as our clients who are accustomed to a wealthier lifestyle. Each of our clients benefit from a design team committed to service, quality, creating value without frivolous expenditures, and an extreme level of organization, attention to detail, transparency, and communication.

I’m proud to know that businesses are thriving in spaces that I’ve designed, celebrating milestones with their customers at events I’ve facilitated. Families are finding new favorite moments in their homes to draw closer to one another, and people who may have combatted their own form of imposter’s syndrome now have tangible spaces and memories to ground themselves and their loved ones in to help affirm their value.

One of my newest ventures that I’m excited about is offering free complete e-designs that people can download and shop from in their own time. Not everyone can afford to pay a professional to curate an environment that speaks to them, but I’d love to help fill that gap.

Design is so much more than aesthetics, to me! It’s truly about leveraging processes and systems to care for people in the most intuitive ways.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
Time spent with my family! My parents are both creative and encouraged me and my 5 younger brothers and sisters to be in our own ways. It’s important to save room for creativity in all ages and seasons in life, where the creativity is separate from judgement or hustle culture. It can be its own form of therapy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.patinanovum.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/patina.novum.studio
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@PatinaNovumDesign
• Other: https://linktr.ee/patinanovum