Designer Eneia White Grew Up Rearranging Furniture in Her Mind
Consider her the Beth Harmon of interior design: “As I fell asleep in my childhood bedroom, I would rearrange the furniture on the ceiling in my mind,” recalls Eneia White of her early creative aspirations. After earning a BFA in Interior Design from The Art Institute of Washington, the Baltimore native trained with a slew of firms in D.C., New York, and Los Angeles before founding Queens-based Eneia White Interiors in 2018.
That's not to say her path has been entirely linear, though: "I took a break from interior design to travel the world as a flight attendant for 6 months," White reveals. Though the jaunts proved inspirational, :I was also sketching floor plans on the plane," she recalls, "so I decided to return to design!"
Since her return, White has earned a loyal following for her frank, behind-the-scenes look at the design world shared through her Instagram and YouTube channels. She's also a miniature enthusiast—and even designed an all-out dollhouse for House Beautiful's Dollhouse Beautiful series last year. As for her full-scale projects, she focuses on making bespoke interiors more accessible: “I like to think I bridge high-end and affordable design,” she says. “I look for ways to make the average budget look expensive.”
Tell us...
What or who has made the biggest impact on your career so far?
That infamous sneaker wall! The designers I respect the most have original ideas and navigate towards fresh
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received (from family, mentor, boss?
Always check to see if the plumbing works in a home under construction before you use the bathroom :-)
How do you want your clients to feel in their space?
I want my clients to feel like their home will help them attract the life they want, while embracing the one they have.
What or who was your first design crush? Your current design crush?
Current design crush, Zoe Feldman. First design crush, Jamie Drake! I remember spotting a space he turned pink and fell in love!
For under $100—or even for free!—what decorating trick that has the most impact?
Just say no to grommet drapes. Thrift your lamps. Stuff your throw pillows with inserts 2" larger than the pillow cover!
What’s overrated in decorating?
Sorry, black walls. Maybe I'll change my mind one day, but unless you have extreme natural lighting, black walls are so heavy! Besides, how can you spot the spiders on the wall?!
What’s underrated in decorating?
Skipping the rugs in dining rooms. I don't want to clean spaghetti out of the rug under the dining room table. Your dining room will hold its own without a rug, if you design it right!
What’s your favorite—and why?
Paint color: Fucshia!
Artist or piece of art: Norman Rockwell paintings pull me in every time. He's so great at telling a story, and leaving the viewerto take in the emotion behind his subjects.
Online store: https://coteriebrooklyn.com/
I enjoy shopping local/small when I can. I've noticed my New Yorker clients appreciate havinglocal handmade pieces in their home too, even if it takes a bit longer to produce.
More Inspiration
Follow House Beautiful on Instagram.
You Might Also Like
