A Day In The Life of Grace Brackman

It’s the one question we are asked most frequently: “What’s it like to work at Maggie Griffin Design?” While there is no “typical” day (especially nowadays), we want to invite you to see what it’s like in our brand new series, “A Day In The Life!” That’s right — this is your official invitation to be a fly on the wall for a behind the scenes look at our lives, both inside and outside of the studio.

Today, to kick off this series, we’re following Grace Brackman, Associate Designer and Athens native, as she goes about her day. Grace joined Maggie Griffin Design as an intern in 2017 while studying Furnishings and Interiors at the University of Georgia. It’s safe to say that over the past three years she has become a beloved and valuable member of the MGD Team. Whether she’s sourcing antiques, meeting a new client over Zoom, or bringing a project to life on install day, her sunny demeanor and can-do attitude mean she’s always up for anything. Keep reading to learn more about Grace and to “live” a day in her shoes.

8:00am
I am not a morning person whatsoever, so I tend to sleep in as late as I can. Don’t judge! Once I’m fully awake and find the motivation to roll out of bed, I choose my outfit for the day. It varies depending on what I have planned, but I’m not going to lie, I especially love it when it’s an install day, because I get to wear my workout clothes! After I’m dressed, I usually take my breakfast to go and I won’t pass up a stop at Starbucks for my favorite drink (a venti strawberry acai refresher with lemonade) on the way into the studio!

9:00am
Once I make it to the studio and get settled, I like to see what’s on my schedule for the day. Each day is totally different from the one before, which is one of the reasons why I love my job and working in interior design so much. One day I could be headed to a consult at a new client’s home and the next could entail a shopping trip to source tile, countertops, lighting, and more. It’s always exciting and keeps me on my toes! Lately, as is the case with most people, I’ve been spending a tremendous amount of time online. Everything is email communication and Zoom calls. I truly miss meeting with clients and I’m looking forward to resuming it soon!

10:00am
My mornings are usually filled with calls and meetings. I prefer it this way so that I can put my head down and power through the rest of the day, plus, as an extrovert, it means that I get to start my day on a high note! I take pride in really getting to know my clients — and when it comes to a new client, well, I want to know everything about them! I like to learn about their lifestyle, personal style, and how they use their home (down to every single room). I feel like the process of getting to know each other ensures success while establishing trust. Trust is key in any relationship, and my best projects are those where my clients completely trust me and my vision.

12:00pm
I’m not big on lunch, but I do enjoy a big salad with lots of veggies. If you ask me, the more colorful the veggies, the better!

2:00pm
It’s the afternoon, which means that my head is down and I’m working hard. If it’s not an install day, I like to take some time to search for inspiration. I have an arguably unhealthy amount of design books that I have collected over the years, and I like to flip through them, as well as some of my favorite design magazines. And if I ever hit a roadblock, I’m lucky that I get to work with the best team in the business. They are a constant source of inspiration. Being surrounded by talented, passionate women makes work both fun and rewarding.

3:00pm
Once I’m chock full of inspiration, I like to return to the projects that I started working on in the morning. At this point, I have a good idea of what the client wants and needs, so the next step is for me to pull fabrics to start a scheme for the room. This is one of my most favorite things to do, as I think textiles set the tone for the space. Then, I’ll hop back on the computer to begin a furniture plan. This includes drawing out all the furniture to scale to ensure flow and layout. Then, another favorite step of mine, I’ll finish the design with accessories like art, lamps, and accent furniture.

6:00pm
After closing up at the studio for the day, I like to get in some exercise. Since the gyms have been closed, as of late I have taken to hiking and running trails at local state parks. It has been so nice to get outside and get some fresh air! I have also been playing a lot of golf with my brothers and dad. I’m improving my game each time!

6:30pm
Next, I’ll head home to make dinner. I’ve been fortunate to be able to stay with my family during this time, as I know others have not the same opportunity. We’ve been having lots of fun trying out new recipes. I’ve really enjoyed trying those that I haven’t felt I’ve had the “time” to before. Like my golf game, I’m also making headway in the kitchen! Ask me for my recipe for Fresh Mint and Chocolate Chip Ice Cream!

8:00pm
I like to finish my day by catching up on work at home. Lately it’s been outside in the courtyard, amongst the flowers until it gets dark. Then, after a shower, I am officially done for the day. I’ll turn the TV on for some PBS Masterpiece or Bravo — I’m a big Real Housewives fan — before heading to bed.