After discovering her passion for interior design in high school, Natalie enrolled at Heritage School of Interior Design Portland and began building the foundation for a successful career. Today, she is the owner of Natalie Lynn Designs and a partner at C.E. Wilson Construction. We caught up with Natalie to learn more about her journey, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and what’s next for her growing business.
Tell us a little about yourself and how you got started in interior design.
I grew up in the small town of Kalama, Washington, on a beautiful property overlooking the Columbia River. My childhood was filled with riding horses, exploring the land with my sisters, and spending time around my dad’s construction and development projects. Looking back, those early experiences sparked my interest in building and design.
Originally, I planned to become a teacher, but during my senior year of high school, everything changed. My guidance counselor enrolled me in an AutoCAD class, and I quickly discovered a passion for design. My teacher recognized my enthusiasm and tailored assignments to help me explore the field further. For my senior project, I shadowed a local interior designer, and that experience confirmed that interior design was the career I wanted to pursue.
While researching educational opportunities, I found Heritage School of Interior Design. I applied, completed the interview process, and was thrilled to be accepted. The following year, I began my journey at HSID and haven’t looked back since.
Why did you decide to pursue interior design as your career?
Once I discovered interior design, it immediately felt like the right fit. Looking back, the signs were always there. As a child, I constantly rearranged my bedroom, repainted walls, and found creative ways to personalize my space. Growing up sharing a room with my sisters, we even created our own “rooms” within the room using shelving, tape, and customized wall treatments.
I also spent countless hours on our family computer using an early 3D modeling program to design houses, interiors, and landscapes. At the time, I didn’t realize I was building skills that would later support my career. Once I found a clear path into the profession, interior design quickly became more than an interest. It became my future.
What challenges did you have to overcome to get where you are today?
One of the biggest challenges in my journey was finding the confidence to take the next step in my career. While attending Heritage and in the years that followed, I gained valuable experience in flooring, design, and the home furnishings industry, each role helping me build new skills and industry relationships. Eventually, I took a leap of faith and started my own business. Like many entrepreneurs, I faced uncertainty, financial challenges, and moments of self-doubt along the way. However, those experiences pushed me to grow, and with the support of my team, I persevered. Looking back, the challenges were some of my greatest teachers and helped shape the designer and business owner I am today.
How did Heritage School of Interior Design prepare you for your career?
When I started at HSID, I was both excited and overwhelmed by the possibilities within the design industry. I came in with no industry experience and limited product knowledge, but that quickly changed.
Heritage School of Interior Design taught me the fundamentals of running a design business, building professional relationships, and confidently presenting concepts to clients. One of the most valuable skills I learned was SketchUp, which remains one of my strongest tools today.
More importantly, HSID provided the foundation, technical knowledge, and confidence I needed to launch my own business and pursue my career goals.
What are you doing professionally today?
Today, I am an owner and partner at my family’s business, C.E. Wilson Construction, where I work alongside my father, husband, and brother-in-law. Together, we transformed the company from an excavating business into a full-service design-build firm.
One of the innovations we’ve introduced is incorporating design presentations at the beginning of every project. Using SketchUp, we create 3D renderings that allow clients to see their future home on their actual lot before construction begins. This process helps minimize change orders and ensures everyone shares the same vision from day one.
In November 2024, I also launched Natalie Lynn Designs LLC as an independent business. We are currently working on multiple custom homes throughout the Pacific Northwest, and each project continues to expand my knowledge of construction, materials, and luxury residential design.
One particularly meaningful project was collaborating on a tiny home built by students at Kalama High School, working alongside the same teacher who first encouraged my passion for design years ago.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I’ve ever received came from my husband: “Buy once, cry once.” As a new business owner, investing in myself and my business could feel overwhelming, but his advice reminded me to focus on long-term value rather than short-term cost. It’s a mindset that has helped me make confident decisions and continue growing both personally and professionally.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
One of my proudest accomplishments was designing and building a home for my grandmother. She trusted me with the responsibility of managing every aspect of the project, from design and material selections to coordinating subcontractors and overseeing construction.
It was my first full ground-up custom home project, and it provided an incredible education in the realities of residential construction. From the foundation to the finishing details, I gained hands-on experience that continues to shape my work today.
The project holds a special place in my heart, not only because it launched my custom home-building journey, but because I had the privilege of creating it for someone so important to me.
What are your future goals?
My long-term goal is to grow Natalie Lynn Designs into a thriving design firm with a dedicated commercial showroom. I envision a welcoming and inspiring space where clients can experience design firsthand, explore materials and finishes, and collaborate on their dream projects.
Ultimately, I hope to bring that showroom to my hometown of Kalama. It would be incredibly meaningful to invest back into the community that shaped me while continuing to build lasting relationships with clients and creating beautiful spaces that tell their stories.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
I’m incredibly grateful for the role Heritage School of Interior Design played in my journey. The education, mentorship, and confidence I gained there helped make my career possible. I truly don’t know what my life would look like without HSID, and I’m thankful every day for the path it helped me create.
To follow along with Natalie’s inspiring journey in interior design, visit her website at natalielynndesigns.com and connect with her on Instagram @natalielynndesigns.