Jasmin Reese Exclusive: Secrets of Her Cat, Hercules Ring & Adventures at the Driving Range!

Jasmin Reese grew up in a military household, which meant she experienced numerous relocations during her early years. Her residences varied widely, including everything from repurposed industrial buildings to charming homes amidst vineyards. These constant changes played a significant role in shaping her perspective on how environments influence our personal experiences.

While putting herself through college, Reese worked in upscale furniture showrooms, igniting her passion for interior design. She discovered that her natural instincts were a powerful tool. “I possess a unique knack for interpreting spaces, and I often have a premonition about people and upcoming events,” she shares.

Reese’s commitment to her career was cemented when she chose to invest a bonus check into revamping her office instead of taking a vacation. This decision led her to move to Chicago, where she studied at Harrington College of Design and started her own interior design business on the very day she graduated.

In 2014, Reese established her namesake company and now operates out of a 6,000-square-foot studio. She shares this space with an upholsterer, providing her clients with an exclusive look at their bespoke items during the fabrication process. Reese is celebrated for her distinctive design elements, such as vibrant “color bomb” rooms and wallpapered ceilings, which add a playful flair to any space.

Reese is always busy with numerous projects and prefers to dive into work without waiting for the perfect idea. “I’m quite impulsive,” she admits. “I usually start by ordering materials or something related to the concept and maintain a daily journal to keep track of my thoughts and progress.”

Today, Jasmin Reese shares with us her Friday Five!

1. My Cat Nina

Meet my cat Nina, who loves playing with Samuel & Sons fringe. Watching her is delightful, even if the fringe gets a bit staticky afterwards.

2. Hercules Ring

This Hercules ring from the Grand Tour collection is a cherished gift from a friend who wanted to motivate me to persevere. It’s humorous because, despite other choices like Athena, Artemis, and Demeter, she thought I resembled Hercules on a bull, which always brings a smile to my face. I wear it on challenging days when I need an extra dose of strength.

3. Driving Range

My husband and I enjoy spending evenings at the driving range. We’ve been doing this for over 25 years, relishing the casual atmosphere and the city skyline at night.

4. Wedgwood Cake

I have a passion for collecting Wedgwood, and this birthday cake, crafted by my husband to resemble genuine Wedgwood, was extraordinarily special. He spent countless hours finding a bakery willing to take on the task since many declined due to its complexity. Coco and Eve accepted the challenge and exceeded expectations. The cake was pricey and I hesitated to cut into it, but it was a truly memorable treat.

5. Sketches

Here are some sketches I made of participants from my martial arts class, Benjilany. The instructor uploads videos online which I capture and use as references for my sketches. I aspire to turn these into a wallpaper design someday.

Guest Room

We adore using vibrant reds, particularly when paired with classic Wedgwood blue in our designs. This guest room is a testament to our love of layering vintage elements, each adding unique character to the space.

Cat Canopy Bed

We designed a quaint canopy bed for a cat, which was featured in an auction by the River North Design District to benefit PAWS Chicago.

Primary Suite

In a primary suite, we utilized a lush velvet stripe fabric from Christian Lacroix, enriched with deep colors, for a bolster pillow. The attention to detail is crucial, and we finished this piece with a custom-made tassel.

Foyer With Chandelier

The foyer we designed makes a bold statement with deeply saturated red walls and ceiling, complemented by a tiered crystal chandelier with a warm brass frame that softens the space with diffused light. A cove ceiling adorned with plaid wallpaper adds a striking graphic contrast and depth.

Powder Room

The Alexandria wallpaper by Designers Guild in the Lapis colorway in this powder room evokes thoughts of an English garden. Designing powder rooms is a favorite for us, as they offer ample opportunities for creativity and surprise.