We had the good fortune of connecting with Christopher Charles Evans and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Christopher Charles, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
The principal that matters most to me is understanding the importance of value over cost. The reason this principal matters most to me is because the impact of value has a longevity that far exceeds the temporary upfront impact of cost. The temporary effect of cost is long forgotten in comparison to the unremitting value of a purchase. A thoughtful and calculated purchase, no matter the cost, should be viewed as an investment when done with insight, focus on quality, craftsmanship, the heritage and the timelessness of the piece.
What should our readers know about your business?
What sets me and my business apart from others is our firm’s focus on the design experience. We are dedicated to our clients enjoying the entire design experience beginning with the discovery call and through the final reveal. We want them to have the experience of collaboration in the design process. Undoubtedly, the client will have a beautiful space, but to also ensure that the experience in achieving that beautiful space is as exhilarating and beautifully memorable, is another level of design that we, unlike any other firm, concentrate on and pay close attention. I am most proud of our firm’s participation in Architectural Digest’s first ever virtual home tour in collaboration with BIDN and The Boundary UK. This first ever and historic presentation of THE ICONIC HOME, virtual home, created by 17 super and multi-talented black creatives, was a milestone for me personally and professionally. The journey in my interior design career actually jump started with having a stroke at my desk during my oil and gas accountant career. With nearly twenty years of oil an gas experience, I had one toe in the interior design industry, working in it on the weekends and during my extended days off during larger design projects. In August 2009 while working 12 to 16 hour days at my accounting job, I had a mini stroke at my desk. While out on medical leave, I made a decision that I wanted more out of life and that if I died working, I wanted it to be at something I loved. So, in 2015 I decided to make the leap and left oil and gas accounting to do interior design full time. It was not easy and probably one of the worst decisions I ever made. The decision to do interior design, was not the worst decision, but HOW I decided to do it! In retrospective, I would have phased out of accounting and phased into interior design. The financial hit was tremendous. The lack of documented detailed business processes and established lead generation was a major hurdle. These obstacles were overcome by sheer determination, grit, sacrifices, crying fits, tantrums, trial and error and a belief in my value and creative prowess. The lessons that I have learned during my journey in the interior design industry is that comparison will kill hope and creativity, business processes are paramount to business success and being bold, vocal and visible is not an option it is necessary. What I would like the world to know about my story and my brand is that interior design is not just about beautifully curated spaces, glamorous finishes and editorial photographs. Interior design for my story and my brand is a dedication to an art form that functions, supports and under girds where people live, love, laugh, become and are being. We create spaces that are a part of the most precious moments of their lives, we design spaces that create home.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend visited I would have an itinerary that looked somewhat like this: A. Sunday Brunch – Lucille’s in the Houston Museum District – best brunch and Sunday live band B. Monday – First Monday Live Music – Live Art and The City – best live music and amazing talent in Houston C. Tuesday – Kemah Boardwalk – best seafood and ambiance on the water D. Wednesday – Galleria – great shopping – great dining E. Thursday Lunch – The Greasy Spoon – best local soul food spot F. Friday – Furniture and Decor Shopping at The Design Center Houston and LADCO Design Center G. Friday – Cocktails at Paul Jefferson’s famous house Pop Up – one of my clients that has a natural born talent for home entertaining. I would never let anyone visit Houston and not experience the hospitality and amazing time always had at this home. H. Saturday – Breakfast – Lankford’s Grocery – hands down the BEST breakfast in Houston. I . Saturday – Evening – Walk through Discovery Green J. Saturday – Evening Cocktails – Moxie’s Experiencing Houston through intimate house gatherings and having the chance to have conversations with people, it was allows anyone visiting Houston, to really experience the essence and beauty of Houston. Falling in love with Houston is based on getting to know the residents of Houston. The extensive art, music and food of Houston are unmatched but the human connections are what makes putting roots down in Houston, enchanting and irresistible. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to give a huge shoutout to BIDN (Black Interior Designer’s Network) founded by the late Kimberly Ward, current president Keia McSwain of Kimberly+Cameron Home, Tony Ward, Adrian Laday of Adrian Laday Interior Design and my amazing, always supportive and encouraging husband Randolph Littleton. In addition, I have a tribe of friends that are more like family that have not only encouraged and uplifted me, they have supported my business and advocated for business in ways that humble me and brings me to tears. This type of unrelenting support, encouragement and advocacy has been the corner stone of my interior design career, business growth and brand.
Website: https://www.christophercharlesinteriors.net
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christophercharlesinteriors/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-evans-5a06aa177/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CCI_IndigoRed
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristopherCharlesInteriors
Image Credits
Aaron Doughtery Photography Laurie Perez Photography