#84 | Turning Tragedy into Light with Interior Designer Britt Davis
Welcome to the Designers Oasis podcast. I'm your host, Kate Bendewald. If you're tired of one-size-fits-all all advice to running your interior design business, you're in the right place. Join me each week as we dive into topics to help you run a thriving interior design business. Without the hustle. We'll talk about the business of design, but also mindset and mental health because I know when you thrive, so will your life and business. It wasn't that long ago that I stepped away from my corporate interior design job to build my own design business so that I could realize my own creative dreams, have more time with the people I love, and serve my clients at the highest level, while making more money than I ever could have working for someone else. It wasn't always easy, and I made my share of mistakes along the way. Fast forward to today. And I've learned a thing or two. Since then I've built multiple six-figure interior design businesses on authentic word-of-mouth referrals with many repeat clients. And I want to share it all with you the ambitious, inspired, and I get it occasionally overwhelmed interior designer who shares this dream of transforming lives through the art of interior design, You can do this. Thank you for letting me spend part of this day with you. Let's get to it.
Kate Bendewald
My guest today is the very talented, warm, smart and creative Brett Davis of art and adorn in Charlottesville, Virginia. Brett is mother to four kids. She's an artist and interior designer and event planner and retreat host at her farm glint of our farm. I asked Brett to join me this month specifically as we're celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month. Brett and I go on a meandering conversation discussing mental health, navigating life as an Enneagram seven, building an interior design and event business all while raising little kiddos. Brett's energy is infectious. And you sense right away that what you see is what you get. She's so down to earth and authentic the kind of person you really just want to spend some time with. I do want to mention, there's a brief discussion of suicide, which may be distressing or triggering for some individuals. I want to remind you that there are resources available. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts. You do not have to go through this alone. Please seek support from a mental health professional, a trusted person or a crisis support service. We have links to resources in the show notes. Please welcome Brett Davis to the show. Hi, Brett, welcome to the podcast. How are you?
Britt Davis
Hi, Kate. It's so good to see your beautiful face. I know you. I'm good.
Kate Bendewald
I'm so thrilled to be hanging out with you today. So I want to give the listeners a little backstory. So I met you Brett at the retreats that you host which we're going to talk about in a minute called tonic and bloom out at your farm in Virginia. That you co host with our friend Molly crouch who has also been a guest on the podcast so you guys are super close pals, right?
Britt Davis
We are we are she I I've declared her as my my sister, my sister. I never. But yeah, it's it's I'm honored just to have her as like my best friend and business partner and we make a great team. Do you
Kate Bendewald
ever I watch. I see you guys on Instagram all the time. And you are so adorable. And there was one episode or episode Listen to me. Post that particularly had me in stitches laughing so hard where she knocked on your front door and you opened it with a pair of tweezers and you were like, yes, excuse me. I'm gonna need you to get this chin hair off of me.
Unknown Speaker
It's like I
Kate Bendewald
love those two. So much. So cute.
Britt Davis
Yes, yes, that that happens frequently. Like I'll just be like, Hi darlin. I've been waiting all week like I can't see yet, but I can feel it. You gotta get it.
Kate Bendewald
That is what that is what best friends are for. Well, Brett, I am so glad you're here. I'm so excited to talk to you. We have a lot to talk about. I want to talk about your retreat, I want to talk about the renovation and Glen glint of our forms. I want to talk about your art, I want to talk about mental health. I want to talk about event design, interior design, and all the things so are you ready? Are you ready? Just gonna get to
Britt Davis
it. And ready?
Kate Bendewald
So one thing I have to tell the audience here, and this is very outside of my comfort zone today, so we invited Brent a while back to be on the podcast, but it wasn't our schedules were not aligning. And then all of a sudden, last minute, it worked out that she could come and join us. And so I have no prep, I have no questions. I have nothing. We're just gonna chat. Where are you going to talk and I have a feeling, it's gonna be great. And it's all gonna work out. And I don't I don't need any of that. So, um, I will admit the control freak and meet not control freak, but like the person who likes to have a plan and know what I'm doing. I was like, oh, okay, I guess we're gonna do this. But here's the thing that I know about you, bro. I have confirmed this before we hit record. You are a fellow Enneagram seven. Which is the enthusiast. And I and I picked you as an enthusiast the moment I met you, but also this morning perusing your new and beautiful website. I was like, Yep, she does art. She does events. She does design. She does it all. And that is a clear sign of someone who likes to put their fingers in all the pots and have lots of things going on. So I I'm always thrilled to be able to chat with a fellow seven.
Britt Davis
Yes, yes. It's so fun. Um, yeah, we're just gonna chat about all the things just to Enneagram sevens hanging out. Try to keep my like ADHD self on track.
Britt Davis
Oh, my God. Oh, my God. circle back to the
Britt Davis
topic if you need to. Oh,
Kate Bendewald
god. Okay, so you guys are in for a real treat. You're talking to two ladies you're talking to I will just tell you for for today. I was like let's do an experiment and just not take my medicine for add and just see what happens. So unmedicated add to any evidence, just hosting a podcast, I
Britt Davis
love it. I could not I could not love this more cake. It's
Kate Bendewald
gonna be great. So take us back a little bit. I want you to sort of take us back to maybe the farm and how you guys found this farm and what your vision for it was, and sort of how you got found yourself in this world of hosting retreats for women and doing interior design and all of the things.
Britt Davis
Yeah. And so let's see what I had four babies, like stairsteps like DVT Yeah, I was either pregnant or breastfeeding for eight years straight. So like that happened. Holy
Kate Bendewald
moly.
Britt Davis
Um, we lived in a beautiful home and IV that we loved. But we knew it wasn't our forever home. And our fourth baby, we I like to call her the desert of our family, she was a little bit of a surprise. And so we were lacking a bedroom at our house. And so I was up in New York with my mom and I get a text from my husband just sending me this link to go into bar to our house now. And I was like, Oh, that's pretty, like not thinking anything about it. And then him and the kids picked me up from the airport. And he drove me straight there. And the first time that I turned the corner and went over the creek and saw it, I just knew I just knew that it was our forever home. And my my first thought was, this needs to be a safe haven for women. This needs to be a place that all women it gives me goosebumps, I was gonna say like all women from all over can come in, take a day of pause and feel seen and known like just as they are just where they are. Like mentally so it just, I don't know, it just feels like such a dream come true. To be able to bless people with the space that we've been able to be blessed with. And yeah, I mean it kind of is incorporating all of my loves like you said I'm I like having my hand in lots of things because you know like for kids that's not enough right?
Kate Bendewald
Oh, yeah, right. So I want to take a minute and I want to paint the picture a little bit for the folks listening. And then I want to come back to why the retreats was important for you. So you guys have to imagine, so I was there in the fall, it was stunning. I can imagine it's beautiful year round. But the fall was a particularly beautiful time. But you can imagine you're in the countryside in Virginia. And there's like these beautiful rolling hills, the morning we went there, there was fog, you know, covering the hills, and you're just going around these beautiful windy roads and overbridge. And you come around the corner, and all of a sudden, you are met with this beautiful, I want to say it was an atelier was about 1818 4018
Britt Davis
revival style. Yeah, like a white old farmhouse. Yeah,
Kate Bendewald
you're gonna want to check this out. So we'll be sure to link to your Instagram and all that in the show notes. But it's just this stunning property that is set on this backdrop that is so beautiful. And your first thought was, I have to share this with people. And so can you tell us, because I know, I want you to share a little bit about the story that brought you to so and you're best friends with Molly and you guys work together. And Molly is the founder of in her company. I will also link to her podcast episode and and you got I don't tell me a little bit about how you decided to work with her and bring these retreats to other women and why supporting women in this particular way. Because Molly supports women already through her coaching business. So it was a natural to me makes sense that she would do this too. But tell me a little bit about the story of why this particular type of work was important for you. Yeah.
Britt Davis
So, um, I mentioned that I had lots of babies. And so I it was June 28 2016. My, my son was only three months old. And that day, I'm gonna have to try to get through this story without crying. But it's okay, if you do. That day, I'm just completely changed my life and it changed. What I felt like my purpose in life was and so I I had helped put the kids to bed that night, and I ran out to run a couple errands and I got a call from my childhood, best friend's sister. And she told me that my best friend had taken her own life. And like the words like yeah, she shot herself, like came out of her mouth. And like I could not even I couldn't even wrap my mind around those words. And yeah, I was just paralyzed. I was sitting in a parking lot. I couldn't drive. So it was I was like, holding on to the steering wheel screaming like screaming, crying. That makes sense. Yeah.
Britt Davis
And
Britt Davis
it just, it was really hard because her and I were pregnant together. So she had a little baby girl who was only four months old. And my son had just turned three months old. And so we had walked through, you know, the pregnancies together and everything. And I was just so heartbroken for her for her family, for her little girl. And it just hit so hard, especially because I had a tiny little baby as well. I mean, I would be sitting there and nurse my son and think about her not being there for her child and just have full on panic attacks. And so I think one reason why I felt this desire to help women feel seen and known and come like, just as they are, is because I was with my friend the week before she took her own life. And we had the best day together. She was getting ready Need to move actually to the West Coast. We spent so much time together on her last day before she flew out. And we had great conversations, but there was never ever a single red flag, but she was struggling. And I just feel like, you know, no matter what we're going through, it's just so important to reach out for help. Because it's, I mean, it truly could save your life, like not a day goes, by without me thinking. If she had told me if she had told another one of her family members, if she had told anyone that, you know, she could have gotten help, and it could have saved her life. Um, so yeah, that is kind of the backstory on what gave me this huge desire. I mean, it's just like, she was such a part of my heart. And I just feel like it's serving her. I'm like, serving her, like legacy, just to help all feel seen and known. Oh,
Kate Bendewald
well, first of all, Bret, thank you so much for sharing all of that with me. I know that can't be easy to retell that story. As someone who I lost my best friend in high school a month into my senior year, I, I understand the grief and pain and all the feelings and emotions that come with losing someone prematurely before their time. And so. But there's a reason I asked for you to share the story. Because we're, we're here this month in May talking about mental health awareness, it's something that's very important to me, and that I like to talk about on this podcast, because, you know, we can't just live our lives in a silo as interior design business owners, you know, we're so many things to so many people. And we all wear a lot of hats and roles. And so, to me, it's important to talk about these things, and to bring light to it. Because exactly like you said, like this, this episode could be the sign that somebody is looking for, to either ask for help, or to check in with that person who that has been on their heart. And so I'm hoping that if it helps just one person, you know, it's, it's, it's done what it's supposed to do. But yeah, obviously, you can't go through something like that Brett without being changed. And I know that, you know, anytime somebody experiences, profound loss like this, that people respond very differently. And in this case, and I'm sure that you know, there continues to be grief, but you at some point, you thought to yourself, This has changed me forever, and I feel a calling and in a strong desire and a pull to create opportunities to help and support women in a different way. And was that for you? Kind of the birthplace of your retreats?
Britt Davis
Yeah, um, well, just to circle back one second, just short runs, then the mental health. So, you know, I lost her in 2016. And then, right when I felt like I was picking my head up above that crazy grief wave that seems like you're like stuck in the surf, you know? Sure. Then I unexpectedly got pregnant with the desert of our family. And as soon as I took that pregnancy test, Kate, it was wild, I something changed in me where I was not myself. And that entire pregnancy, I was not okay. And it's just interesting, because, you know, I'm, I'm sitting here telling you, I want people to come and feel seen and known just as they are, but I was in such a bad place mentally. My anxiety and depression, like my anxiety, had these intrusive thoughts that were on repeat telling me constantly, you're not a good enough mother. You're not a good enough wife. Your family would be so like so much better off without you. And so I bought through that constantly during that entire pregnancy. And even with that background of losing one of the closest people in my life, I still didn't tell anyone that I was struggling in that way. Until a couple of weeks before my daughter was born, I actually like admitted to my husband, how bad and constant those suicidal thoughts were. So not only did it affect, like change the course of my life, just by my loss, but also from my personal experience as well. So I had that experience and in Wani 20, before the world shut down, Molly had planned to have just a night away. This was before she dove into life coaching. And she felt a tug on her heart, that there needed to be a change in her career path. And so she had carved out some time where she got a hotel room in Charlottesville by herself. And I came for just one night, and we had, you know, like a slumber party and dinner. And it was really great, but also combined it with a lot of time to just pause and reflect, and give herself the break that it needed to be able to move forward with more clarity, and discernment. And so, in 2020, she really had felt like, there isn't really anything in the Charlottesville, Richmond area that gives women this day of pause, play and restoration. And there needs to be and so we started chatting, and I was like, Well, as soon as I saw our property, I thought, like, there needs to be women's retreats here. And so that kind of got the ball rolling, we actually had a weekend away in Richmond, where we just bounced ideas off of each other. And that was kind of like the the foundation of what now is tonic and bloom.
Kate Bendewald
Oh my gosh, I had no idea that that was, first of all, I didn't realize that you also had the same experience with depression during your pregnancy and that that parlayed into all of this, and it's it's one of the things I will tell you when I was pregnant, I feared I was afraid of becoming depressed because hormones are wild. And they do crazy things to your body and crazy it and anxiety too. And I actually have a podcast episode on that, which I'll share with the listeners in the show notes if you want that backstory. But and this is where I get really upset with people who. And I've heard people in power, like pastors of very large churches talk about depression in the context of being a choice. And to that I say, hell no. And you are being very irresponsible. Anybody who says that? It you know, snap out of it doesn't know anything about what it's like to actually go through something like this. Because here you are. Having experienced the grief firsthand of losing someone, you see what's on the other side of that sort of loss, and yet still finding yourself in this really dark place. And I'm so grateful that you spoke up and you reached out and you said something. Because the work you're doing today is really spectacular and meaningful. And it's changing a lot of lives. So, so let's fast forward so you guys get your purchase glint of our farm, you decide you're gonna host retreats, and they're called tonic and bloom. So give us a little insight I've been it is a blast, and you guys were going to share they do have some dates coming up and some openings available. So we're going to be sure to link to all of that information. But give us a little walk through a little experience of what is Hanukkah bloom what it what can people expect, what is it like all the things?
Britt Davis
Yeah. So for tanning and bloom, we normally greet you on the front porch with some lemonade or tea. And then if weather permits, everyone, you can go down in the front yard, and there is yoga. And if that is not the case, or if it's cold or something I don't think we did yoga at the Fall one when you were there, did we? I don't think so.
Kate Bendewald
No No, but we had plenty to keep us busy. Yes, yes. Um,
Britt Davis
well, we, we go into the parlor after kind of like a meet and greet. And Molly does coaching session with everyone. So she does a coaching session with everyone. And then I give everyone a tour of the house and the property just to kind of give them the legs and show them the freedom that they have that they have the whole property to explore. I show them where the room is.
Kate Bendewald
I'll show you guys for a second when she says the parlor this is you gotta you have to imagine an 1840s historic home. It's beautiful. It's wood clad fireplaces everywhere, we're gonna get to interior design. But Brett is one hell of an interior designer and every single room is, first of all available for you to retreat to. But it's also beautiful. So go on. So then you take a tour, and you show everybody where they can go.
Britt Davis
Yeah, so we show everyone where they can go. And then we provide lunch. And people can have lunch on their own or together. And then one thing that I love so much about tonic and blue that we were very passionate about when we started dreaming it up together is that we did not want this to be a retreat that was super scheduled. And that we were all like sitting around a circle and sharing our feelings and singing Kumbaya. Like we wanted everyone to get out of this what they needed, because people are coming, needing different things for this day. And so basically, you have certain times you need to be at your massage, and your art session with me because I meet with a few people at a time and we do a collaborative painting that you can take home. But other than that, you can hop on the four by four and drive up to the mountain field. You can hike, you can forge flowers, and I send people home with a mason jar where they can make a flower arrangement and take it home with them. You can read a book by the pool. You can we've had women take a nap, because that's what they really felt like they needed that day.
Kate Bendewald
Yes, that's what I did. I took a nap by the pool. It was beautiful. Oh,
Britt Davis
love that. Um, but yeah, it's great, because we kind of leave the afternoon to be really organic. And just, you know, people can do what they want with that time. And we want you to have the freedom to dive in and experience different tonics different ways that you can refresh that then you can go home knowing like, hey, like, I actually am really filled up. And I feel such a calming presence when I paint, you know, or, you know, I'm like, it's just amazing what you can do when you give yourself that freedom and take things off your plate. And so yeah, then just to kind of finish out the day here, Kate, we meet for cocktail hour, which is always one of my favorite times. And that's such a beautiful time just to kind of hear about what everyone did what tonic they experience and discover that day. And then we had a we have a beautiful dinner that is cooked by our husbands who are actually amazing cooks. They are
Kate Bendewald
oh my gosh, I was I was blown away at the meal the like four course meal that we had for dinner and you're and Molly's husbands were in the kitchen just whipping it up. Like it was a five star restaurant. I wasn't I was absolutely blown away. So and it's so fresh and delicious. It was so
Britt Davis
good. Yeah, a lot of times that means you can't get more local than like pig from our farm.
Kate Bendewald
Yeah, exactly. And
Britt Davis
we have the honey and you know we have we have chickens. So it's farm fresh eggs. Yeah, um, but yeah, we finished out the retreat with a blessing way which is in this wild spot, which is in our front yard. And I've had a historical architect check out this spot before and he called it a folly. Which Yeah, it's just like used in the architectural world is just something like whimsical and fun with not really any significant purpose. Right, but I'm Glenn Tovar, it used to be a Presbyterian girl school. And so this like stone structure that's kind of cut into the side of a hill, we think maybe they use that area for lessons or something. But it's it's a really neat, unique spot. And yeah, that's where we do the blessing way just to kind of send everyone on their way so they can be filled up and love their people back in their own places. So,
Kate Bendewald
yeah, it's, it's a really spectacular day. And as we mentioned earlier, I'm also in Enneagram, seven so you can imagine me just sitting down and doing nothing or a day of doing like, nothing is rare. If like it just doesn't happen even if I have the opportunity. I'm always finding something to do especially if I'm at home. And I like that that's fine, right? For the most part, but almost being forced to just be bored and just move around and just be in nature be present with my thoughts and with my heart and what's going on and then it's a it's a true gift and I truly didn't understand how much I needed it until the day was over. You mentioned tonic so the title The you call the retreats tonic and bloom, I recall some of the tonics one of them you have this beautiful letter writing desk in one of the bedrooms with postcards and stamps and pens. So you can just go in and just write a sweet letter to somebody and that's a tonic or you can come sit in the I don't know what room you call it but it's like your little sunroom with the brick floor off the back and lose there's like a pretty candle and books and some hand cream and you can just sit there and read or you can go to the pool or you can I took a nap in the parlor because I love that room so much. And again you know just different tonics that sort of choose your own adventure or do little to nothing which was very healing I would say for me so small Be sure yeah, you guys have and and I have to say to you guys do such an amazing job with the hospitality you know, I'm from the south I live southern hospitality is something that I'm excites me like I love to host too but you guys are just it's it's exceptional. There's fresh flowers everywhere. There's tea, there's coffee, there's snacks, there's, you just feel like you're at home. But there's nothing that you have to do. You can just be and it's really, really wonderful. So, the the home let's talk about the home for a second because you found yourself at the helm of putting together this beautiful home. Do unique for your family. And you've been doing some renovations. So tell us a little bit about what you've done to the home. And and where it is now. Yeah.
Britt Davis
Well, when we first moved into the house, it was stuck in the 90s there was a lot of red, like fire engine red and blue and they're patriotic. Um, so one of the first things that we did was we have this beautiful dining room and it was one of the original rooms in the house that was originally like a like a four by four. And everything was blue. In this dining room, these old beams were painted blue, there was like blue wallpaper, everything was blue. So one of the first things that we did was stripped down the many, many layers of paint on these gorgeous themes to expose the wood. And I ended up doing this wallpaper on the dining room. It's William Morris or Morrison company, the brook. Um, just because I felt like that wallpaper really encompass the property and and it's wild. One thing I love about design is sometimes things kind of take a turn in an unexpected way. But I found that wallpaper and kind of just based on my whole like color palette for the house off of that.
Kate Bendewald
I love that
Britt Davis
I wanted Yeah, I wanted to incorporate a lot of the colors of nature into the home and I also wanted to pick historic colors that really showcased the beautiful heart pine floors. And since you saw it, Kate it has been painted. So now it's all Have the Farrow and ball colors that I was my god geeking out telling you during the tour and Kate was looking at me like, oh, yeah, yeah, I know exactly what color you're talking about.
Kate Bendewald
For what it's worth, I approve No, your will your your use of color throughout the home, I think is spectacular. I think that it would be very easy to go into a home and have every room painted a different color and have it feel a bit chaotic. And this is anything but that every room in the scale of the home I think lends itself to this too. But you're right, the colors oops, very much, I feel are pulled from the wallpaper. But every room is a gorgeous color. And it feels a little bit like a destination or each room has kind of its own personality. And it works absolutely beautiful. The color palette is chef's because it's so good bread. Thank
Britt Davis
you. I love till during the tour, we were having like our own like designer secret language. And I was like, Yeah, I'm gonna be Dimity fanfare on ball and get like, yes, yes. And everyone else like, oh,
Kate Bendewald
yeah, no, I was the only designer there like it's okay guys. It's gonna like Wait.
Kate Bendewald
Well see, I'm gonna have to come back for another retreat. So I can see all of the updates because I know that you got and here's the thing that I love about you, Britt so much. You are willing to host these retreats, even though not every single thing was done in the house. I remember there was one room where you I think it was the scullery where you guys were still working out the plans there. And there's a lot of people that would use that as an excuse to not do the thing that they want to do. What was that? How did you make the decision to just do it despite still having renovations going on?
Britt Davis
Well, well, first of all, this is the longest renovation of all time. Sure. I mean, I'm sure everyone feels like that when they're renovating. But um, I was looking through pictures the other day, and we had construction guys, they're like cheering on my, my desert of my family, my, my little one who's about to be done with kindergarten. But it was hilarious to me because we started this renovation on her first day of preschool. Oh, yeah. It's, oh, it's been a minute. Yeah. But I feel like we can't stop living during things like this. And during one of the retreats, during the blessing way that I mentioned, you know, is down in the Foley. We call it the prayer garden, actually, because, um, so just a little side note helped me Kate with my ADHD. Self Help me walk.
Kate Bendewald
blind leading the blind, Brett. Oh,
Britt Davis
here we go.
Britt Davis
But just a little side note, um, so our first night in Linda bar in the house was actually the anniversary of my best friend's death, who took her own life. And so I had a few dear girlfriends, Molly being one of them that came over. And we sat in this area, which is now named the prayer garden because of this. And we prayed specifically for women, for mental health, for people to know their worth and their value. And to know that nobody has it together. Right. And so I just I love that. That's called the prayer garden. I had to share that. That's why I'm and I love that that was the first gathering at our house. Um, I got goosebumps again. No, I
Kate Bendewald
no way to wait. And Chris. I mean, that's the way to Chris in a place like that. You know?
Britt Davis
Yeah. Yeah, for sure. But where was okay, ADHD self. We're circling back. So, one, okay, here we go. At the blessing way in the prayer garden, there was a guest who mentioned that one thing that was like, one of the biggest things that she took away from the retreat was that we were hosting it in the middle of a renovation with like, you know, like our scullery or our butler's pantry didn't even have like, sheetrock on the wall. It was completely in the middle of a renovation. And so she It's like, you know, if you can host a retreat, and you're in the middle of this project, and there's boxes in the corner and things aren't perfect, that was inspiring to her to host people in her home, because she had felt very trapped, and felt like she couldn't have people over until she like, redid her living room or had her house exactly the way she wanted it. And so, I feel, I feel like there's something beautiful Kate just in the, the imperfect of that, and that we all need to just welcome people into our spaces, maybe with our shoes off and, and a stain on our shirt. You know, like, just Yeah. Yeah, you can be a great host without things being like, Insta worthy. Um, I mean, even though let's be honest with with our designer, there's still gonna be
Kate Bendewald
right. You know, it's true. And, you know, it's something that I'm thinking of, as I'm listening to you talk is that I, you know, obviously, I work with a lot of interior designers who feel like, they have to have everything perfect in their business before they can start talking about what they do. They have to watch, I'm like, but how do you get there without talking about what you do. It's like, I don't want to start talking about what I do, because I don't even have a website yet. And I'm Mike, that is gonna keep you stuck. You have got to make imperfect progress. Talk about what you do, it doesn't matter if you don't have a website, or if your website's not perfect. Or if your business systems aren't pristine and perfectly situated. First of all, they're never going to be perfect, the ducks will never be all in a row. You just gotta get moving, you gotta get going. So it makes sense, not only from the standpoint of just living life, and continuing to do what you're doing their island too far. But from a business standpoint, I'm hearing that resonates for me as well.
Britt Davis
Yeah, I've heard a lot of friends be like, but I don't have a huge portfolio yet. You know, like, what pictures? Or am I gonna show people? And yeah, I think that is such the case, and so many things in life, which is Enneagram, sevens were pretty good at jumping into things. Um, but yeah, you just have to try. You just have to put yourself out there. And. And that's what I did with my painting as well. And it's funny, because sometimes now I circle back and I see some of my original work. And I'm like, oh, you know?
Kate Bendewald
What, about all of our output? I look at my portfolio. And I say the same thing, as in any any person who practices a craft would do, obviously, it's, it evolves. Yeah. So tell us about your art, too, because I want to talk about the interior design aspect as well. But can you talk to me a little bit about how you sort of discovered at as an adult that you were an artist? Yeah.
Britt Davis
Well, certainly talks about tonic and bloom. But painting was actually something that started even before tonic and bloom. And so I guess this is what happens when you keep it in a room seven stuck at home. magical thing can happen. Yeah. But I was literally stuck at home with whitespace on the calendar, and my daughter decided she wanted to paint. And so I ordered some cheap canvases and acrylics. And I was sitting in our messy play room, and I used like a piece of scrap fabric as my first pallet. And it just sat down with her. And when I started painting, instantly, I felt my anxious heart just like it felt like I was taking a big deep breath. And it kind of like what you were saying with tonic and bloom, that it felt like such a treat to kind of make you slow down. That is what painting does for me. And for years, I had been praying for a way or platform to talk about hard topics like mental health, and to you know, get my friends story out there because I feel like the more we talk about the hard things, the more people can be reached. And you know, just by Her story, we can see that like, folding things in darkness. It's not good. And I just wanted people to realize like no matter what they're going through, like they're not alone in it. And so it was just wild, because painting was able to answer all those desires of my heart that had been placed on there years ago. Because I had tried for a while to be a part of different like PPD support groups, and go talk to different groups. And yes, I love doing that. But in a way, it was almost too hard. Like hearing everyone else's stories, and then being like so much in it. Just and with my, my story, too, it just felt so heavy. And so I love that through my art, I am able to create beauty that can tie in colors to kind of bring everything together in a room. So I can use my interior design, background as well as honoring people story, because I feel like so much of our decor in our household needs to be celebrating our story, or needs to be like a beautiful reminder that you are strong, and you're beautiful. And you've been through some hard times, but you made it. I'm just like a little reminder of, of either your strength or have maybe a sweet memory. So it's been, it's been an honor to get to create pieces that live in people's homes and can be that little reminder for them.
Kate Bendewald
Well, your work is absolutely beautiful. I've been spying your Instagram this morning. And it was like, Oh my gosh, she has a new collection out. But you do you have an incredible way with color. And with the textures that you use. So we'll be sure to link to that because your work is beautiful. And as an audience of interior designers, you never know who might come commissioned you for some piece for one of their clients. It's, it's really, really beautiful. You they're in for a treat. So you discovered at as an adult during the pandemic, that you were an artist you carved out a space in your home for a studio, which I absolutely love. It's got this beautiful, it's in a basement, but it has this door that opens up to the back. So it's got a ton of natural light, it's really beautiful and in what a great place to be able to spend time creating. And so you incorporate that into the retreats, right? So people can kind of really can do a collaborative art piece, which I think is really beautiful. So then now, just in the last, I don't want to has it been like maybe six months, you've recently announced that you are offering interior design services in your area. So talk to me about how you decided with everything else you have going on, you're like, I'm going to do this too. And, and event design. I mean, we already established your seven in real hard but you This to me is a calling, I think you're so good at it. Your interiors are beautiful, your your way with colors is beautiful. Your way of storytelling is beautiful. So tell me about starting the interior design aspect of your ventures. Yeah,
Britt Davis
um, well, I, you know, I've been in this renovation for a couple years now. And I just, I recently looked at my husband and I was like, hey, what am I? What am I going to design when we're done with our house like something hit me?
Unknown Speaker
It hit me like, I
Britt Davis
can't I love looking for a treasure like I love having like ideas and projects in my head, where I'm popping into different antique stores and looking for like the perfect piece that this you know, one client needs and And so basically,
Kate Bendewald
I want to pause you real quick. I know I know the look on your face. My I'm sure your husband has this experience too. But my husband when I have an idea or something that I want to do first of all, he knows that once once it's said out loud, like it will happen. happen like the next day it may not happen the next week, but it's going to happen. I'm not necessarily looking for permission. I'm still more like making an announcement, but he'll say to me he's like, You got that look in your eyes. Is that was that kind of what happened?
Britt Davis
But yeah, If not, and it's what's actually been really fun doing this renovation because my husband has it great design I as well. And so we we kind of piggyback off of each other and the way he handles more of like the, the figuring out the layout of a room like working. You know what the exact measurements. I'm more of like, don't talk to me about math. But let's talk about color and finish. Yeah. And it's, yeah, it's it's just been it's been really fun. I've been working for years for fans, family and friends. But, you know, like I said, my, my baby, she's about to finish her kindergarten year. And I kind of always had it in the back of my head that this would be something that I did when, yeah, when she was in school. And so it's, yeah, it's been fun. I, I actually opened my email this morning, and I have six increase to about event design and for about, yeah, interior design. Well,
Kate Bendewald
my goodness, you got some work ahead of you. And it's because, okay, so I have to I have to admit, I'm a little bit fangirling with you, Brett right now. Because when I first left my corporate interior design job to go work for myself. I initially, it sounds silly when I say this out loud. But I initially named my business studio seven creative big seven being the Enneagram Oh, my God, I, I couldn't decide what I wanted to do. I was like, I want to do interior design. But I also want to do event design. And I like it, I did put together some curated events just for myself for fun. I wanted to design wallpaper, I wanted to do all the things I have, that I still have this vision for an upholstery company, but more on that later. But you're actually doing it because there was a point where I had to say to myself, because I was doing mostly interior design, like I don't have the bandwidth to do all of the things I like I would spin out of control. So I ultimately changed my name to Kate Bendewald interior design, because I just like screw it, I'm just going to do Interior Design exclusively. And then if something else can Oh, store window design is something that I think sounds super fun. Like you're actually doing it you're doing all the things and I love it so much. So your events, tell me about what kind of events you might help people create? Yeah,
Britt Davis
um, well, I let me just say I feel like seven should be the theme of like the name of this punk.
Britt Davis
Thinking of your design,
Kate Bendewald
I've got a seven circle here we mentioned
Britt Davis
Enneagram. Seven. Um, but I so I ended up naming my business Brett Davis art and adorn, you know, art being, you know, painting pieces to adorn the walls of your home. Like I said, to maybe the pull together room, or just to be that meaningful, original piece of art to kind of be the foundation of a room or that like anchor piece. And then the I also love adorning events. So I mean, let's say someone's 50th birthday is coming up and you want to do a outdoor dinner. I could come in and do like the tablescape for you. Or like a kid's birthday party. You have no idea like, what kind of theme you want to do. Like I could pull together like a sweet birthday party with all the little girls getting little hats and arrange doing like, different mason jars full of different colored flowers. And then, you know, having like little tea sandwiches and doing a flower arrangement. Um, I mean, it really varies I just
Kate Bendewald
brimming with ideas. I well. You're so good at this. Because there's I feel like when we came to tonic and bloom every where I turned, there was a little treat. There was a little something to delight the senses whether it was a candle or something tactile or something visual to just gaze at, and I think the interactive piece of it is something that you are really gifted at?
Britt Davis
Thank you. Okay, that means a lot.
Kate Bendewald
Oh my gosh, I love it so much. So what's next for you? Brett? are you what are you excited about for the coming months? Well,
Britt Davis
clearly I'm not going to be sitting still there. Um, well, if I couldn't be more Enneagram seven, I really want to hop on my motorcycle, Kate. I
Kate Bendewald
have a motorcycle.
Britt Davis
Is that not the most Enneagram seven thing you've ever heard, sir. Yeah, no, I do have a motorcycle. I have a triumph street twin. Oh
Kate Bendewald
my god. And it's a triumph. I want to picture how cute are you on this thing?
Britt Davis
It's pretty cute. It's like, all of beautiful. So
Kate Bendewald
Oh, no. Did you know how to ride a motorcycle?
Britt Davis
So my dad has always rode motorcycles. And my freshman year of college, I called him stressed out like midterms or something. And I was like, I'm so homesick. Can you just come and like take me on a motorcycle ride. And so he did that the fall of my freshman year, and we've been doing it every fall since?
Kate Bendewald
Isn't that sweet? You that is the sweetest. And
Britt Davis
so now my brother rides with us as well. And I have my own bike. So I've I've only done it two years on on my own bike. But um, yeah, hopefully this summer I can squeeze in a few motorcycle rides and hang with the kids. We're going to be you know, doing the whole like swim team life.
Kate Bendewald
I'm very I'm here. Yeah. One thing
Britt Davis
I'm very, very excited about which I have to admit, this is one of the sweetest gifts I've ever been given is my childhood best friend that took her on life. Allison, she loved sunflowers. And Kate when we were little she I remember in third grade. She wore hats everyday to school. Like every day. It was like a different kind of hat. And her favorite one was this. Do you remember blossom? I do? Oh my gosh, it was this blossom styled hat that like kind of went up in the front with a big sunflower on it. And so she loves sunflowers when we were in sixth grade. She like redid her whole room. There was some god awful sunflower wallpaper, but she loved it. Very. Um, anyways, it just has always been her favorite flower. And so since losing her the meaning of a sunflower how it like stands up tall and faces the sun has kind of taken on an entire entirely different meaning. Um, I mean, I never really loved sunflowers. I'm more of like a hydrangea kind of girl. But I love how it you know, it's a visual reminder, as you can tell that I like to turn your head and face the light, whether that is community and reaching out for help, or whatever tonic fills you up to do that, and so goosebumps again, Kate. Um, I am really looking forward to this summer because for Mother's Day, my husband planted two acres of sunflowers. Oh, I know. Isn't that the sweetest gift? I cannot I like I just want to weep. So for
Kate Bendewald
my I can't even talk my mouth is on the floor. Like why?
Britt Davis
I know for people that come to tonic and bloom there might be like a, you know, two acre field of sunflowers on that mountain field. Um, so Oh, so that's what I'm looking forward to is some growing sunflowers. You
Kate Bendewald
I cannot wait I want to come see it. I can't come on June. When is the June 29? Because I have but I might. You might find me just to showing up at your farm. We can just take you do flowers.
Britt Davis
I'll take a ride on a motorcycle.
Kate Bendewald
Oh my god, I would love that. I love
Kate Bendewald
that so much what a sweet husband you have and I I'll tell you I planted I, I took a mental health day yesterday and I had to, I didn't have to I got to go ply planted, I made myself so sore. And you can tell I look a little sunburned because I got too much sun. But I planted so much yesterday in my garden. And I'm really excited about some new sunflowers that are. Gosh, I wish I could remember what they're called. But they're one is like a purple, like a dark purple petal, and the other one is like a reddish orange and yellow like Unbreak. It's gorgeous. And I'm so excited. And I planted those yesterday. And I guarantee you that this summer when they start to bloom that I will be thinking of you and Alison and have this conversation. And that beautiful story that you shared with us.
Britt Davis
Yes, thank you so much. Thanks for having me on. Thanks for thinking about me, Kate. This has been a honor. And so fun chatting.
Britt Davis
Oh, you know, thank
Kate Bendewald
you. Thank you so much. I'm so glad that it worked out. It was meant to be. You're such a light. I think this story and this episode is really going to touch a lot of hearts. And so we really appreciate you taking time out of your busy day to chat with us. Before we go though. We'll be sure to link to everything in the show notes. But your first tell us your website. What is that called? So we can come find you there?
Britt Davis
Yeah,
Britt Davis
it's just it's Britt Davis art.com.
Kate Bendewald
And Brett is with two T's two T's. Yep. Yeah. And
Kate Bendewald
that is that where people can find out about the tonic and bloom retreats as well. Yes,
Britt Davis
yeah, we can definitely link that. But um, there is a tonic can bloom page on my website. And the registration is on that. You can also find me on Instagram on Instagram. This Brett's seven Davis, and the what's
Kate Bendewald
the seven four? Well,
Britt Davis
the theme of this podcast seven, I guess out Oh, okay. No, this. This is insane. But oh seven is actually not from Enneagram. Seven. It's my anniversary because I was married on 7707.
Kate Bendewald
I know my goodness is seven has a number of meetings for you clearly last
Britt Davis
meetings.
Kate Bendewald
i Yeah, that. Ben sounds like it sounds like you need to have one more baby just to make it a family of seven.
Kate Bendewald
Oh, you're up for that, Brett.
Britt Davis
No, I don't have a uterus.
Kate Bendewald
Like I'm officially done.
Britt Davis
I no more babies you'd have to adopt, which actually to have this past week separately mentioned like, can we adopt a baby boy and I was like, what is really, very
Kate Bendewald
though there's many pathways to parenthood, if that's something that I am joking your pup can be number seven, your sweet pup. Okay, well, we'll be sure to link to everything. Brett, you are a light and a delight. And I am grateful to know you. And I cannot wait to keep tabs on what's happening over on your end of things. It's always something fun. So and please do say hi to Molly for me.
Britt Davis
I will I will we love you sending so much love for Virginia. Awesome.
Kate Bendewald
Go check out those new client opportunity. Sounds fun and busy.
Britt Davis
I know I'm excited but also like her about her work hours
Kate Bendewald
here. So I hear you I hear you. All right. Take care. Bye now. He finally he friend, thank you so much for letting me spend a part of this day with you. I'm so passionate about helping designers like you. And I believe in a rising tide that when one of us does well, we all do better. So if you share this attitude of abundance with me, I want you to do just one little thing. Please share this episode with someone using might love it. And if you're feeling extra generous today, go ahead and take just 30 seconds to open your podcast app and leave us a five star rating and review. It's free for you to do and it helps me to be able to keep making more episodes and resources for you. However you choose to help please No, I appreciate you so very much. Thank you, my friend. Have a wonderful rest of your day. I'll see you soon.
