Let’s start from the beginning! Tell us a little about the journey that led you both to where you are now.

Jesse is from Pittsburgh and has always had a longstanding passion for architecture, but found himself involved with other entrepreneurial pursuits, like food and beverage, until eight years ago when he started working on residential renovations. He worked on a few homes and quickly learned that he loved the way that it tied so many of his interests together. Joelle’s creative inclinations have been evident since her formative years, consistently enrolling in various art programs. Eventually, she believed filmmaking would satisfy all her creative interests at once, prompting her move from Toronto to Los Angeles. Once she became a US citizen, she got a job at ACNE and moved from design studio to design studio in different roles. Interior design has always been a passion and she feels like all of her personal and professional experiences have culminated into this now-perfect role.

Ome Dezin was founded in 2020. What unique challenges did you face opening a design studio in the peak of a global pandemic?

I (Joelle) had actually just parted ways with a creative studio at the start of the pandemic and definitely took advantage of the unchartered waters and took a wild leap of faith. Real estate and construction things were definitely tricky, as permitting was slower and getting materials was a challenge. The real turning point was when the vaccine was introduced. The market took a large upswing because interest rates were so low and the world opened back up. Previously we were sort of laying the groundwork and preparing for that moment, and when it happened things really took off for us in all senses.

Tell us a bit about how you find inspiration. What factors have played roles in the development of your design style, as Ome Dezin and as individual designers?

We find inspiration in the city’s many architectural styles, including Mid-Century, Art Deco, Spanish, Craftsman and Tudor, and aim to preserve these codes while imbuing each restoration with thoughtful design and contemporary livability. As individual designers our inspiration comes from art, architecture, travel, and nature! We’re, of course, very interested in collaborating with each other but also with people and friends of various disciplines. We’re currently designing a house with our friend Ben Willett, who is a local furniture designer. It’s fun to see the design process through another designers’ eyes. It’s such a beautiful learning experience!

How would you describe your design ethos?

Our design ethos stems from the natural world. Thanks to nature’s influence, our designs are timeless. We believe that form and function are equally as important! When starting to design a home, we take the necessary time to think about how someone would live in the home, creating a space that is thoughtful and livable. We always use the existing style of the home to direct our design process. So, our style can vary across projects, but the through lines remain consistent.

Between design meetings, project installs, and everything in between, it seems like you both juggle many different things! Tell us what a typical day-in-the-life looks like for each of you.

Thankfully every day and week is different, which is something that we love about our work. There are entire days where we are going to job sites to check on construction, and other days that are full of design meetings with clients, either virtually or in person. There are also days where we do a lot of sourcing online, or in person at marble yards and furniture stores. As we’re nearing the end of projects, we are on-site a lot. This is always a very busy few weeks as we prepare the home for photos, getting all the flowers, and securing the finishing touches. Then, there are days that we’re in the office designing on our computers, answering emails, and organizing our finances!

Friends first, then co-founders — Can you share more about what it’s like working together in this capacity?

Our 10+ years of such close friendship laid a great foundation for us now partnering in business and it’s what helped us feel confident in our abilities as designers and business partners! We have similar enough design styles that we are always heading in the same direction. Even with a few opposing thoughts every once in a while, we are always able to evolve an idea through conversation and time that leads to an end result we’re both happy with.

What’s the best advice you’ve received, either personally or professionally?

Joelle: A piece of advice I’ve given to others and myself along the way is to just do something, even if it’s not what you want to be doing. It’ll teach you what you do or don’t like about that particular subject or position, and you’ll meet people along the way that will grow your community.

Jesse: Collaboration is key!

What is a design trend or element you’re loving right now? And not so much?

We’ve been loving the resurgence of wall-to-wall carpet! We’re also loving the stainless steel elements people are including in their residential designs. But, we’re currently not loving the overuse of arched entryways. In our opinion, people are adding them in to emphasize character without taking the architecture of their home into account.

What’s next for Ome Dezin? How do you hope to see the impact of your work take form?

Big question! We’ve definitely been working on bigger projects in scale, collaborating with more friends and people we look up to, and growing our internal team and brand. We hope to continue to grow our outreach and community and have some larger aspirations to make an impact both globally and within Los Angeles. It’s is such a unique city, especially in terms of architecture and design. We always say, LA’s architecture does not hit you over the head with its public buildings, but is really found within its residential properties. The neighborhoods and communities within Los Angeles hold the key to LA’s design history. Stories live on through the homes that housed our favorite artists, musicians, actors, and writers. These people were inspired by their homes and by looking out their windows. We hope to preserve the soul of LA and eventually give back in meaningful ways in support of the unhoused.

Favorite place to visit to spark inspiration?

Joelle: Art fairs/ galleries, flea markets, travel Destinations like Paris + Milan, and anywhere in nature

Jesse: Milan

Favorite space in your home?

Joelle: Living room

Jesse: Outside by the pool

Current go-to interior paint color?

Joelle: Swiss Coffee by Benjamin Moore

Jesse: Battenberg by Benjamin Moore

One product that’s always in your bag?

Joelle: Blistex Lip Balm + evolvetogether Hydrating Hand Cream

Jesse: Aesop Sunscreen

Currently watching?

Joelle: The Paris Agency: Exclusive Properties

Jesse: House of Dragons