Voyage

Meet Janet Carpenter & Kathy Weber of Artistic Environments in Santa Monica

Today we’d like to introduce you to Janet Carpenter & Kathy Weber.

Janet, Kathy – kick things off for us.  Where does this story start?

We founded artistic environments, Inc., in 1988. The company specializes in interior design for housing developers, commercial offices, and private residential clients. We met at a large design firm. When we decided to set up artistic environments, the company we worked for had gotten so large there were many small projects they could not take on, and began referring them to us.

As a two-person office, we are the marketing, design and accounting departments. Staying small as a company was our original goal and has often been a challenge. We enjoy the flexibility to choose projects that inspire us, but it’s easy to get overwhelmed with work. At the same time, we maintain a low overhead and are able to weather economic recessions.

Quality of lifestyle was our shared goal in starting artistic environments. We’ve been in business now for 28 years (gulp!) And, have remained good friends in the process.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The housing crash of 2007 was devastating, as you might imagine. We watched many of our clients and colleagues go out of business. It was the closest we ever came to shutting our doors. The climb back has been steep.

We’d love to hear a little more about your business.  Do you have a motto?
Our motto from day one has been ‘have fun always’. We enjoy our clients, vendors and people we work with. If not, then what’s the point? I think that is what sets us apart from a lot of companies. We look at what we do as a part of the whole. Not the “work” we do to pay the bills. Working with architects, contractors and builders as part of a team is great fun, and produces the most creative work.

What were you like growing up?
I think I’ve always been curious. I moved to LA from Minneapolis in 1981, to attend FIDM. I never thought I would stay in LA! But, I have yet to find anywhere else to live, where I don’t have to give up something I have right here. Beach, mountains, good food, entertainment, good weather, international airport. LA is pretty great.

Read the full publication here.