Alumni
Interior Design Grad Caitlin Murray Wowed Judges on Bravo's Best Room Wins
Interior Design Graduate Caitlin Murray, the founder, CEO, and principal designer of L.A.'s Black Lacquer Design, recently won her episode of Bravo's new design competition show, Best Room Wins. We chatted with the 2010 alumna to learn more about appearing on reality TV and what she's working on now.
How did the opportunity to be on Best Room Wins come about? One of the perks/necessary evils of being a designer in Los Angeles is plenty of TV opportunities. I often have casting directors getting in touch with me for various on-screen gigs, and this one sounded extra fun. Producers are always scouring Instagram and the internet in general for talent.
What was it like taking on the challenge and filming the episode? I love a good challenge and the chance to connect with people through my work who I would have never otherwise met. The homeowners on my episode were an absolute trip—they and the crew were great to collaborate with. As far as the design and budget, I had no problem navigating those on the fly, but working in reality TV is a whole other story. It can be tedious and they’re of course looking for a degree of conflict (much of which occurs naturally as the nature of the field), and you don’t get total say of where the story goes. As a bit of a control freak, that was tough for me. Still, I’d do it again and again.
What do you enjoy about television projects? Though I’m not the biggest fan of public speaking or being on stage, TV gives me a platform to talk about and spread my art and ideas. I decided many years ago that I would say “yes” to anything that would help me get to do this every day in the purest form possible.
What are you currently working on design-wise at the moment? My favorite current project is a 10,000 square-foot residential new build in Bel-Air. The clients are young and fun, which always makes for an exciting time, often with layers of color and texture. I believe the best results materialize when creativity can flow freely and all comes from an artful, cohesive place. It’s always such a rush and honor when the person hiring you understands and appreciates your unique design brain.
How did FIDM help prepare you for your career? For me, it was really important to get a formal, technical education before jumping into the industry. Right or wrong, I didn’t trust that I could make it in this competitive climate otherwise. I really wanted to feel prepared and confident. If I’d gone into my first design job without knowing staples like Photoshop or AutoCAD, I think I might have panicked and settled for a straightforward career that was non-threatening and uninspiring. If that sounds like you, stick with school and ride that wave until you’re ready to build experience in the field first hand.
Categories: Interior Design Alumni
