Hidden Gems: Meet Christie Arena of Christie Lori Design & Interiors

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christie Arena.

Christie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Oh boy, where do I even begin? Picture this: 12 years old, teetering on the edge of anxiety, eagerly awaiting my parents’ response (after my meticulously crafted PowerPoint presentation) on whether they would hire me to design the front of our new home. And that right there, is where my design journey began.

Fast forward to college, and while the more typical students were struggling or brunching on Sunday mornings, I was dragging my poor mom to every new community I could find to walk through all the model homes. I would always ask “Can you believe this is actually someone’s job? They get to pick out all of these things that make a home so happy and beautiful!”. My mom responded saying “There’s no reason why that can’t be your job one day”. If you are wondering if there’s a bit of foreshadowing here, you are correct. But it didn’t happen as seamlessly as I thought it would.

After college, I found myself in the fast-paced world of advertising in New York City, where I excelled at one of the largest privately owned agencies in the country. I was in NYC for 5 years, and while I was undeniably thriving, there was a lingering feeling of unfulfillment that started eating away at me (was heavily debating making a NYC bed bug joke here).

Cue the pandemic, the ultimate game-changer. I took it as a sign (or my Dad insistently demanding that I leave the epicenter of the pandemic) from the universe—time to ditch the skyscrapers for some mountain air. So that was it, I packed up my life in New York, left my career, and headed to Colorado. A place I had never been, with no connections, but overflowing with potential and an amazing Interior Design program.

After attending the Heritage School of Interior Design and graduating with my master’s certificate in Residential & Commercial Design, I landed a role at Trio Design Inc., one of Denver’s esteemed design firms, where I further honed my craft and gained invaluable experience. However, it was in early 2023 that I made the bold decision to start my own interior design company. Exciting? Absolutely! But stressful and risky? Also, absolutely! This journey has been equal parts terrifying and exhilarating, a quite similar feeling to riding the subway at rush hour.

Along the way, I’ve been fortunate to meet incredible mentors and supportive friends who have believed in me even when I doubted myself. So here I am, doing the thing, establishing myself and my business, and loving every minute of it. It’s been a wild ride, filled with highs, lows, and more coffee runs than I can count.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
About as smooth as a New York City sidewalk (last New York joke I promise)! First off, let’s talk about the transition from office life to solo entrepreneur. Going from a bustling office to working solo in my apartment became very lonely very quickly. I’ve struggled to get my name out there and faced a lot of fear and self-doubt, which ended up only creating a block from myself and my goals.

It took a wake-up call from an incredible friend (heyyyyy Megan!) to snap me out of it. She showed me some tough love, made me realize that I was standing in my own way, and encouraged me to get out there and do SOMETHING. That day I made and printed flyers and stayed up attaching business cards to them.

The next day I began on a week-long mission, knocking on doors and spreading the word about my business. And let me tell you, it wasn’t easy. I faced a lot of rejection and hostility. But I kept pushing forward because I was so fueled by the fact that I was trying again and not letting myself be held back by fear.

So, has it been a smooth road? No. But I’ve learned the importance of reaching out and connecting with others embracing the journey and trusting in my own abilities. Most importantly, I regained sight of why I started this journey in the first place: to make a difference in people’s lives through design.

As you know, we’re big fans of Christie Lori Design & Interiors. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?

With Christie Lori Design & Interiors I take a fearless approach to design. I don’t just think outside the box; I redefine the box entirely. I have an unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of design. I’m not afraid to think outside the box, break the “rules”, and do the unthinkable.

My brand also reflects a passion for traveling, infusing inspiration drawn from my travels into my designs. I’ve immersed myself in diverse cultures and design styles, drawing inspiration from every place I have had the pleasure of visiting. Whether it’s the natural materials of Tulum, the sleek lines of Scandinavian architecture, or the whimsical designs of Gaudí from Spain, I bring a global perspective to every project.

I really am so proud of my willingness to embrace the unconventional. I’m not content to stick to one style or approach. I’m not content to stick to the “been-done-before” and the uninspired.; instead, I thrive on the excitement of exploring new ideas and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. From wineries in greenhouses, chandeliers with live flowers, swim-out showers, in-counter grow gardens (that was a weird one!), I’m not afraid to think outside the box and create spaces that leave a lasting impression.

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I would love to hear my parents’ answers to this question! I was something, to say the least. I was such a curious kid, always asking questions that left adults scratching their heads, always exploring, and just meandering around and observing. My parents probably thought I was equal parts adorable and frightening at the same time.

Growing up I had a ton of different interests, I wanted to be a veterinarian, a professional dog babysitter (my best friend Lauren and I did start a wildly successful pet babysitting business when we were 9 years old), a talk-show host, etc. Funny enough, my mom always told me that I can be whatever I want to be, but she knows I would be a great Architect – Interior Designer is close enough right Mom?

Looking back, it’s absolutely no surprise that I ended up in interior design. It’s the perfect canvas for my bold personality, my insatiable love for design, and the thrill of transforming other people’s spaces into reflections of their unique stories. Plus, it’s the ultimate playground for me to break the rules, defy conventional design standards, and reimagine design possibilities beyond traditional confines.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ChristieLoriDesign.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/christieloridesign
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/christie-lori-design-interiors

Image Credits
Christie Lori Design & Interiors and Anetta Odnoralova – BleuFilm