Meet Jacqueline Prude | Interior Decorator & Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jacqueline Prude and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jacqueline, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
I’ve learned that it’s never too late to discover and follow your passion. I was a grade school teacher for 8 years before I had my two daughters and was lucky enough to stay home with them. Once they were in school full time I was at a crossroads- do I go back to school and get my Masters in Education or do I try something new? As much as I loved teaching, I also had this curiosity about Interior Design. I decided to take a few classes at the local community college to see what it was all about. The more I learned, the more I knew it was the right fit for me. As I was working on my Interior Decorating Certificate, I decided to open up my own LLC. I started working for a low hourly rate for friends and neighbors and I built my business from there. I’m so incredibly grateful to these first clients who were patient with me as I refined my process and who trusted my vision. I didn’t have a business plan or a logo and I didn’t even know how to use QuickBooks but I figured it all out along the way. For the last 7 years I’ve followed my passion, made exceptional trade connections and created beautiful and functional spaces. The ironic thing is that Interior Decorating has always been lurking inside of me, it just took me a while to realize it. Just recently my mom showed me binders of paint and carpet samples that I compiled from the hardware store as a young kid. I also painted and rearranged my room as often as my parents would let me and mixed and matched patterns for my parents’ Living Room furniture as a grade schooler. I think if I had grown up in today’s world of HGTV and Instagram I would have known all along but when and where I grew up, the women closest to me either stayed home or were teachers or nurses. Now the sky’s the limit and I’m so thankful for that for my two amazing daughters.

What should our readers know about your business?
Starting a business from the ground up (especially without a business background) has inevitably had its challenges but accepting this and being resourceful are the keys to overcoming any issue. I also think it’s important to know when you can “fake it till you make it” and when to call in the professionals. There have been countless times where I researched information or went back to textbooks to figure things out. For the first several years I figured out QuickBooks and my business taxes on my own but as my business grew, I knew I needed help. Hiring an accountant and working with a graphic designer to create my logo has been invaluable to me and in the long run saved me time and money and helped me build my brand.

My goal is for each space to represent the client while weaving in pillars of good design such as balance, contrast, focus and proportion. Each project is tailored specifically to the needs of the client. Once we determine the function of the space, I always ask, “What do you want your space to feel like?” From there I come up with a plan or selections that reflect that vision. Some clients prefer to meet at stores to see everything before I coordinate their finishes, others want my top 3 recommendations and yet others want me to present a full plan with Mood Boards and Room Layouts. I assist with everything from space planning to recommending paint color, lighting, plumbing fixtures, tile, textiles, wallpaper, furniture and accessories. I also educate clients on the materials we’re selecting as well as on the newest innovations, whether it’s a new durable fabric or a faucet that can be controlled through voice commands. Oftentimes I work to blend current furnishings with new selections and even mediate when couples disagree. Fully tailoring my services to meet the needs of each client has allowed me to work on projects ranging from a full Italian Restaurant renovation and Mid-century modern homes to Transitional and Traditional kitchens and bathrooms and everything in between. Although I have a defined personal style, it’s nice to be able to work in so many different genres. It really satisfies my creativity and challenges me to create spaces that are completely unique and true to the client.

One project that I’m most excited about is co-designing part of the Shaker Heights St. Jude Dream Home. It’s such a great feeling to be giving back to a good cause and it’s been very rewarding to secure so many generous donations from local vendors. For example, Eastwood Furniture, a local furniture maker, is building a custom TV Built-in for the 3rd floor Family Room. Shaker Rocks along with Nosotros Rock Climbing Gym and Rock Candy Holds are funding and building a Rock Wall for the 3rd Floor Kids’ space. The Kids’ space will also have a Playhouse complete with a slide donated by Playground World just to name a few. It’s been so inspiring to reach out to these connections and realize how generous our community is. The St. Jude Dream Home winner will be announced this August but the raffle tickets sold in February raised 2.5 million for St. Jude Research Hospital. The 3rd floor will be dedicated to a 10 year old boy named Jaden who has brain cancer and my co-designer and I plan on including many of his interests into the space to honor his journey and bravery. To be just a small part of this project has been both humbling and rewarding.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Depending on the season we’d catch a Guardians, Cavs or Browns game. We’d also see the newest play at Playhouse Square which is the second largest theater district in the US. I’d also want to go for a bike ride or hike at one of our many scenic Metroparks. As far as restaurants go, I’d take my friend to Marotta’s for the best Italian food in Cleveland (and to see my work in person). For a fancy drink we’d go to Garden City and then dinner at Michael’s Genuine in the Van Aken District. For a casual patio and beer we’d head to Tremont Tap House or The Fairmount.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, my amazing husband and kids deserve the most credit for supporting me every step of the way. My husband may as well be my tech staff and has always been my biggest cheerleader. I also know and appreciate that my entire story starts with my parents. My creativity, drive and ambition all came from my parents who instilled in me good old fashioned work ethic. Lastly, an enormous shout out goes to the many different contractors, vendors, and independent trades people who I work with, they are the ones who make my vision come to fruition.

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