Meet Chrystal King: The DIY Designer Helping People Makeover Their Spaces
Photo Credit: Chrystal’s Instagram
Deciding to makeover your home can be an exciting decision. Enlisting the help of creative designers can give anyone looking to uplift their spaces an added level of inspiration. One such creative designer, that has captured the hearts of DIY enthusiasts and interior design lovers through her successful DIY projects, is Chrystal King.
Chrystal is a Tik Tok and Instagram content creator, who has been able to consistently and creatively make over her own space through her innovative interior style choices and DIY designs. Even up-cycling unwanted items and revamping them into modern and unique statement pieces.
Her creativity has enabled her to shift into making over other people’s spaces and showcasing the journey through her new series. The first episode of the series follows Chrystal making over the home of new homeowner, Drico, as they work together to turn his space into a “bachelor pad”.
The response to Chrystal’s new series, has been overwhelmingly positive with one Instagram user, Deborahbiyi, commenting “this talent is out of this world”. In a recent CM interview, here’s what Chrystal had to share:
CM: For those who don’t know, tell the readership a little bit about yourself?
Chrystal: Of course! I started sharing my home design journey online two years ago after I bought my own home and began documenting my journey online, designing it and turning it into a smart home. With time, my platform has grown and now I’ve started designing other people's homes, which is a natural extension of my passion for design. I also have an architecture degree so it feels great to finally be putting it to good use!
Photo Credit: Chrystal’s Instagram
CM: How did your creativity for designing home spaces and DIY start?
Chrystal: I have always been interested in designing my own space, and I grew up in a home where DIY was normalised. My mum used to do a lot of DIY projects, and I remember seeing her build a wardrobe from scratch and repair our ceiling one time. She encouraged me to be creative and do whatever I wanted, which gave me a lot of confidence. I have always loved being creative and [I] have explored it in many different mediums, including graphic design, digital art, tech, videography, and architecture.
CM: What was the inspiration behind the ‘Make over other people's spaces’ series?
Chrystal: I wanted to help people love their homes and feel proud of them. That's what inspired me to start the series I want to empower people to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing environment without necessarily breaking the bank and make home improvement accessible to everyone.
CM: A lot of your home design projects seem to be art and tech inspired, will this carry on into your designs for other peoples spaces?
Chrystal: Definitely! My home design projects are totally art and tech-inspired, and I plan to carry that on for other people's spaces too. I've been working in the tech industry for nearly 8 years now as a product designer, so that influence is definitely ingrained in me. Expect to see homes that are not only beautiful but also smart, and designed to make peoples lives easier!
CM: How do you approach the process of designing other people's spaces?
Chrystal: My approach is always centered around the individual and their unique needs. I start by having a conversation with them to get a better understanding of their personality and lifestyle, as well as their design preferences and goals for the space. This helps me to create a clear picture of what they are looking for, and allows me to tailor my approach to their specific needs. Once I have a good understanding of the person and their space, I begin the creative process, exploring different design options and ideas, taking into account the space's size, layout, and architecture. I also consider factors such as lighting, colour, and texture, and how they can be used to create a cohesive and harmonious space.
CM: Your home makeovers seem to be very budget friendly, how do you manage the challenge of designing on a budget?
Chrystal: When it comes to designing on a budget, I try to be creative and resourceful. I believe that you don't always need to spend a lot of money to achieve a great look. Sometimes it's just a matter of looking at things from a different angle. For example, I may repurpose items that I already have in my home or use materials in unconventional ways. Another strategy that I use is to research and compare prices to find the best deals. Google reverse image search is a tool that I find particularly helpful in this regard. I can easily find similar products at lower prices by searching for the image of an item that I like. This way, I can stay within my budget without sacrificing style or quality. Furthermore, I try to prioritise my expenses and focus on the areas that will make the biggest impact. For instance, I may invest in a statement piece of furniture or a bold accent wall, and then work around it with more affordable items.
CM: Bonus question: Which iconic figure, past or present, would you love to design a space for and why?
Chrystal: Ooo this is a tough one, if I had to choose one iconic figure I would choose Stephanie Ike. I love listening to her, and would love to work with her to create a space that reflects her personality and style!
Follow Chrystal King @chrystalking_ for more DIY design makeovers.
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