Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashton Vonshore.
Hi, Ashton. It’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us. To start, could you share some of your backstory with our readers?
My dream to become a world-renowned interior designer began at the tender age of 12. I was in 7th grade and stayed up late that night because I’ve always been a night owl. I flipped through the television and saw something pretty interesting. This was my first time seeing HGTV and what they showcased. I’ll always remember that Candice Olsen had a television show called Divine Design. I was literally blown away that someone was getting paid and getting notoriety for designing homes. The career was made just for me! So, I began a self-taught journey.
After graduating from high school, I attended Mississippi State University and obtained my Bachelor of Science in Interior Design and a minor in Business Marketing. While in college, during my junior year, I began a holiday and seasonal decor business where I made wreaths, decorated Christmas trees, set up private dinners, and so much more. Doing so created traction and awareness all over the Mississippi Delta and Eastern Mississippi areas that a young male designer was on the brink of. I was all over Mississippi, Georgia, Arkansas, and Tennessee, servicing those who wanted my creativity. This was also my way of getting my foot in the door of the interior design industry while still being a student in design school.
After college, I became a Design Consultant at Floor and Decor in Memphis. While doing that, I still pursued my business ventures and clientele because I always knew I wanted my name on a building one day. As time went on, I was offered a managerial position with Ashley Furniture Home Store in Jonesboro, Arkansas, as the Visual Merchandising Manager, and my responsibilities were the upkeep of the store as well as the designs of the vignettes that displayed my ideas for the latest furniture pieces. I met some fantastic people and was allotted a few jobs outside the company. I was able to design a salon and spa in Jonesboro, a few Airbnbs in Memphis, and a gas station in Red Banks, MS. When COVID hit, my store was partially destroyed by a tornado that struck shortly after. We all were out of a job and devastated.
A few weeks later, I was presented with my largest project, The Crystell Palace. This home included 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, 2 living areas, a custom kitchen, and a secret game room in a historic home I could renovate and redesign however I wanted. My client trusted my skills and expertise, and we went with a modern, luxurious feel. The project took about a year to be completed and was later listed on all short-term rental sites. When the professional photos hit social media, my name blew the rooftop off of Memphis, and everyone now knows me as the Airbnb Designer who gives bold yet classic designs.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
This has not been a smooth road, and the journey is far from over! Although being an African American male in an industry as such, it is much more challenging to prove your self-worth and design capabilities. I faced this my entire time in design school, as well as when I ventured out on my own. It took me about three years to make a friend in design school, and I had a professor who told me that I would never be an interior designer. It was crushing to hear that someone who is supposed to teach you their craft and guide you along this path doesn’t believe in you. I threw a pity party for a few days and then reminded myself of what I’ve always wanted. And that was to be on TV designing homes, my name on a building, and to be known as one of The Greatest Interior Designers to live!
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Ashton Vonshore Interiors?
Ashton Vonshore Interiors is a full-service interior design firm in Memphis, TN. We pride ourselves on “Creating Luxury through Stylish Designs.” I am the firm’s owner and principal designer, specializing in luxury Airbnb and Dream Home Curations. Most readers may recognize or have heard of me from The Crystell Palace Airbnb that took Memphis by storm! That was one of my most booked Airbnb designs, and people wanted to experience what I created. What sets me apart from other designers is that I’m honest and relatable. I tell all my new and current clients; I am not the typical interior designer who walks into your home and says that it’s all crap. I like listening to my client’s wants and needs and executing a fantastic design plan that allows them to book with me. Some clients have family heirlooms or pieces they can’t depart from, and I try to design with those unique pieces in mind. I want readers to know that designing and decorating homes is not a job for the weak and requires much time and patience. If you plan to hire a designer, please research room budgeting and what questions must be asked before signing the dotted line. This is a luxury service, but with the right budget and plan, you, too, can have a professionally designed space.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of my favorite childhood memories is when my mother and I would go to different furniture stores and buy things for our home. Although my mom was not a professional designer, I learned much about interior design from her. She and I would spend hours in these stores deciding which new home accent or furniture piece was coming home with us. I can still smell the sachets the store sold to make your home smell good. These were the beginnings of my journey.
Pricing:
- Residential Design Consultation: $250
- Commerical Design Consultation: $300
- Designer for a Day: $950
- 3D Renderings: $150 per space
- Discovery Call: FREE
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ashtonvonshore.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashtonvonshore_interiors/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashtonvonshoreinteriors
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ashton.vonshore?_t=8kQOH9go27r&_r=1
