Meet Casi St Julian | Owner and Principal Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Casi St Julian and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Casi, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
For over a decade, I worked alongside my mother as Senior Designer at our family firm in New Orleans. My husband’s job during the pandemic required us to move to Houston, which gave me the push I needed to go out on my own and start my own firm. It was terrifying at first because this world of business was all new to me. I had only been on the creative side so there was a huge learning curve that needed to be had. The biggest thing that ran through my mind was how could I navigate this new world in a new city where I knew little to no one and have my business flourish? I knew it just takes time and it can be overwhelming to think about, but it always works out in the end. I believe that the fact that I was scared, proved to me I was moving in the right direction.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My firm Francis and Saint Interiors is a Residential Interior Design firm with experience in Boutique Hospitality Design. I think what sets me apart from others is my ability to have every project I lay my hands on look completely different than the next. I think a lot of decorators or other designers, tend to stick to what they’re known for or good at, but they don’t keep the client in mind during the process. It is about the client, how they live and function. I also love color and pattern, but I am good at keeping things neutral too. I think that’s what keeps me as a designer on my toes and excited to get up every day doing what I do because every day you are creatively striving to come up with something that has never been seen or done. My goal is to create my stamp on someone’s sanctuary and bring people joy. I think just working in the business for so long before branching out on my own, you are presented with tons of challenges which comes with the territory. Dealing with procurement always can be scary and stressful for example. Ever since covid, lead times for custom orders are longer than normal, so keeping clients’ expectations at a level of a new reality is the biggest challenge. I think at the beginning of starting my business personally, the most intimidating part about running my business was making sure I had all the correct software and skills to do my own bookkeeping correctly. Luckily, I have relationships with other local designers who were awesome enough to refer me to resources locally or virtually that have helped me out tremendously. Once you get a hang of those tedious tasks, it all becomes second nature. What I have learned is that you literally have to take it day by day. Unchartered territory is always scary, but once you take that first step the rest gets easier. With my brand, I also think being born and raised in a City as unique as New Orleans, gives me a different design perspective than others in the Houston area. I think what I bring to the table is refreshing and I just want to present it to the world.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend came to the city I would definitely take them for a lunch date at Tiny Boxwoods. It is such a gorgeous place with a nursery attached and Thompson Hanson is attached as well, which has decor, accessories and clothing. Of course afterwards we would walk over to Tiny’s to grab a sweet treat. They have the best chocolate chip cookies in town! I love going to Khul and Linscomb for a sensory overload experience. They have everything from candles, cookware, furniture, fashion and children’s toys. I always love going there when people visit because they are truly a one stop shop for all things fabulous. During the night, I love a good cocktail of course. I would definitely take them to either Permission in The Heights or get a classic Margarita at El Tiempo on Washington Ave. Since I love the arts, the Menil Museum is always a must. The Rice area that it’s in, reminds me so much of home and the museum is so beautifully curated for the size that it is. It is as small museum ,so you’re in and out in no time…plus its free! Lastly, for a swanky dinner and a fun, upbeat scene for dinner I would go to Toulouse on Westheimer. The food is to die for and there is outdoor seating where you can people watch.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I definitely wouldn’t be here where I am today if it weren’t for my mother Penny Francis. She is one of the hardest working people I know who showed me the ropes and in’s/outs of not just the Interior Design world but retail. When you work for family, expectations are higher of you, so there’s less opportunity to get away with messing up. Lots of pressure and hard work but it shaped me into the businesswoman/designer that I am today. I also wouldn’t be where I am today without my husband Cedrick. He is the most loving, motivational and supportive partner I could have ever asked for. If it weren’t for him lifting me up and encouraging me to take the biggest leap of my life with starting this business, I truly think I wouldn’t be fully fulfilled with the life I was living but also stagnant. He knows my potential is sky high and knows I am going to take the Interior Design world by storm. He is my best friend and my biggest supporter.

Website: www.francisandsaintinteriors.com

Instagram: @francisandsaintinteriors

Image Credits
Laura Steffan