Today we’d like to introduce you to Christopher Fill.
Hi Christopher, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey to becoming an interior designer started gradually. I was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and MBA from Northern Illinois University. I rose through the ranks of the insurance industry over 25 years.
When my husband and I moved to North Scottsdale in 2019, we purchased a 3,300 square foot home in Troon that needed a complete remodel. Unlike most people, I loved the design process. Picking the materials and colors came naturally to me. Because the folks that purchased our previous home in the Midwest were fond of our taste in furniture, we sold it with the house. And I enjoyed shopping for all new furniture. In retrospect, it made logical sense as well since most of our old furniture was more traditional in style and wouldn’t have worked as well in Arizona.
It was then, at close to 50 years old, that I realized I really had a passion for interior design. As a successful insurance executive, I had accumulated enough financial security to start a new chapter. This motivated me to enroll at Scottsdale Community College to pursue an Associate’s degree in Interior Design. I graduated in 2024 and received the Outstanding Student Award from the Arizona North chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID).
During the last year of my studies and for a year thereafter my graduation, I was fortunate to work as an Intern, a Design Assistant, and a Junior Designer at Lillian James Design Group in Scottsdale. This was an invaluable experience because it afforded me a hands-on chance to learn how the day-to-day high-end interior design business operates. I distinctly remember working on large projects for lots of beautiful homes around the valley.
Last year, I joined Havenly as a virtual Interior Designer. This gives me an opportunity to work with clients from all over the United States. I have worked on projects in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. I feel like I have found my passion. And I couldn’t be happier.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Going back to school later in life was not easy. I had to take a reading comprehension test since it had been so long since I was in school! I had to learn a lot of new technology specific to the interior design world like AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, and SketchUp. That took me a lot of extra time and required patience. My fellow classmates were young enough to be my kids.
Starting a new job in a completely different field was not easy. I had taken 3 years off work to go back to school, so returning to the office setting and being presentable was grueling some days. Moving from working in corporate America to working with creatives was a learning experience for me. At times, I felt like being an interior designer was akin to being an Orchestra Conductor conducting a circus; this was especially true on installation days (or “reveal” days as many have come to expect from watching HGTV).
Leaving the high-end interior design space has also been a challenge for me; now, I work on projects with 5 figure budgets instead of 6 figures. Interior design is still something people use their disposable income for, but working with smaller budgets means I’m always looking for unique pieces that have a designer look at half the cost. I really enjoy this challenge.
Lastly, being a virtual interior designer has presented a different set of obstacles. I’m conducting my business over video calls and chats, so I’m not physically in the room when furniture is delivered and placed. This means I must communicate my designs very clearly and be sure to send physical samples of fabrics and rugs so my clients can touch and feel the materials I recommend.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a virtual Interior Designer with Havenly. I specialize in residential interiors and am known for styles ranging from warm transitional to traditional charm (and even a little whimsy). I provide virtual design services anywhere in the United States on a per room basis. This includes video calls and unlimited messaging to collaborate. I provide conceptual designs, space planning options/layouts, and 3D renderings. I source furnishings and decor for living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, offices and more. I also source lighting, draperies and recommend materials for wall coverings, paint and hard surfaces like cabinets, counters and floors. Clients are provided with a shopping list and the convenience of ordering everything through me.
I am most proud of my 3D designs because they really differentiate a design; clients are given a visual example of what their room will look like before making a purchasing decision. This really helps! While there is no obligation to purchase from me, I have found that many of my clients have become repeat clients. I truly care about the details, not just the design, and strive to deliver an exceptional experience from the start to tracking the orders/deliveries to the final product.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up I was a perfectionist (and I still am!). I was on the shy side and tended to enjoy more independent activities. I was on the swim team, took music lessons, and loved rearranging furniture. I was on the honor roll and had 1 really close friend.
My biggest obstacle was that I knew I was gay, but didn’t feel comfortable telling anyone until I was in college. I struggled with this and it got tougher as I became a teenager. Other kids bullied me a lot, and I dealt with a lot of anxiety surrounding my future.
That said, I felt that in the face of adversity, I shouldn’t give up. And I’m glad I didn’t.
Pricing:
- $199 per room
- Plus all furniture/decor selections
- Plus labor/materials (not included)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://havenly.com/interior-designers/christopher-fill-15881
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designwithchristopher/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chfill/
- Other: https://www.houzz.com/pro/webuser-259718932/__public
