We asked what you wanted to see next on The Casa Project and many wanted to know more about Erick Garcia – our Principal and the founder of Maison Trouvaille. Below is an interview with questions that were submitted on Instagram and answers from Erick, himself.
Where were you born and raised?
“I was born in Zacatecas, Mexico, and raised in Burbank, California.”
What is the meaning of Maison Trouvaille? How did you come up with it?
“‘Maison’ means home in French and the definition of ‘trouvaille’ is something that is discovered by chance or stumbled upon.
I wanted something that encompasses everything that we do – stumbling upon the perfect pieces that tie our projects together and creating spaces that feel lived in and almost as if they were meant to be. I looked up different words in French because I’ve always thought it was such a beautiful language and I literally stumbled upon trouvaille and fell in love.”
Tell us about your journey to becoming a designer
“I originally went to school for fashion but quickly found out that the industry wasn’t for me. I knew I wanted to do something creative and interior design had caught my attention. I loved designing my own spaces and friends would always ask for help – that’s when I realized I could turn my hobby into a career. I enrolled at KLC School of Design in London and never looked back. When I graduated I took on as many freelance projects as I could and worked at a couple of design showrooms until I felt that I was ready to open up my own studio.”
What is your favorite part of being an interior designer? What is your least favorite?
“I love that we get to design spaces for our clients that they get to enjoy and create beautiful memories in.
My least favorite thing is lead times and sometimes not being able to find the resources to create the vision I have in mind.”
Where are some of your favorite places to shop vintage?
“1stDibs, Etsy, Chairish, Berbere, Big Daddy’s”
Where do you find inspiration?
“My Mexican background has a big influence on my designs and where I pull inspiration from. I am also inspired by the galleries and showrooms, and hotels and restaurants that I visit on my travels. I love to look through design books, watch fashion shows, check out museums, and scroll Pinterest, too. When I’ve exhausted those I like to spend time in nature or drive down different neighborhoods and take in the architecture, colors, and patterns. There are endless places to look for inspiration. I think that’s what makes being creative so exciting.”
How do you decide which projects to take on?
“It depends on a couple of factors – the scope of the project and if it’s manageable to take on with the other projects that are in progress; the budget and if it will allow us to turn out quality work we’re proud of; if the design the prospective client is seeking aligns with the MT brand and our interior style; and if the prospective client and I believe we are a good match. That last one is especially important to me as projects usually last anywhere from 6 months to a year or more, and we have to spend a lot of time together in their personal space. It’s like stepping into a relationship – it goes both ways!”
What do you look for when hiring someone new onto your team?
“Attitude and design taste over everything. Of course, technical capabilities and experience matter a lot but a positive, friendly, and hard-working attitude can’t be taught. It’s important to me that the work environment and culture in our studio are uplifting and everyone works well together as it’s a very collaborative environment. As for design taste, everyone has a preference but if your design aesthetic doesn’t align with ours then it just wouldn’t make much sense.”
What has your biggest challenge been as a designer?
“The business aspect of running an interior design studio. It can be a lot and that is why when I could afford to hire I brought on a business manager first. She manages all business operations – taxes, bookkeeping, etc. Doing this has allowed me to focus more on doing what I love and leaving the things I’m not as great at to someone who is!”
What advice would you give to aspiring designers?
“Gain experience by taking on as many projects as you can, get familiar with materials, and learn the computer programs necessary for the position you seek.
Market yourself and offer competitive pricing for your services.
Leverage social media and reach out to influencers. Offer your work in exchange for coverage. It’s a great starting point that can help accelerate your business.”
Has there been any project to push you out of your comfort zone? If yes, which one and why?
“The OUAI office. It was my first commercial project and having to work within commercial guidelines like ADA compliance and fire safety was a learning experience and pushed us to grow and learn.”
Do you take on out-of-state projects?
“Yes. Outside of LA, we currently have projects in New York, Connecticut, and Nashville.”
Why don’t you share your sources?
“This one is tricky because I would love to share everything but because our clients hire us for our sources and to create spaces that are unique and special to their homes, we have an obligation to respect their business. If they are comfortable with us sharing that information then we do our best to share but it’s on a per-client basis.”
What do you see next for Maison Trouvaille?
“A studio in Mexico City where we can take on projects and create new MT spaces and experiences.”
Why do you feel people gravitate towards your work?
“I believe it’s because we create designs that are a bit more attainable yet still uphold a high level of sophistication and design. We work with pieces that range from high to low in price range and create interiors that are inviting and have somewhat of an experiential factor to them. I think that’s enticing and translates well for our clients and prospective clients.
We also always aim to design spaces that bring you a sense of peace and stillness, and in this fast-paced environment we live in I believe most people are looking for a little bit of that calm that we create.”
Who are some of your CREATIVE influences?
“There are so many. Architects like Tadao Ando, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Ricardo Bofill are big inspirations. In fashion, I love Yves Saint Laurent, Aimé Leon Dore, Gallery Department, Loewe, and ALAÏA to name a few. Peter Lindbergh’s work, too.”
