Jewel Toned Interiors

It was the season of many firsts. My first internship, my first real exposure to a professional interior design studio, and the first time I could truly apply what I’ve learned in school to real-world projects. I was fortunate to spend this summer interning at Jewel Toned Interiors, alongside Jianna, another summer intern from the University of Florida. Though we come from different academic backgrounds, our shared curiosity and passion for interior design made us fast collaborators and friends.

Walking into the Jewel Toned office for the first time, I felt a mix of nerves and excitement. I didn’t know what would follow in the weeks to come, but I was eager to dive right into all of it. Looking back now, one of the most rewarding aspects of this internship was its hands-on nature. From sitting in on Client meetings to participating in design tacticals and preparing presentations, every task came with an opportunity to learn. Watching each design phase unfold, from creating a mood board to selecting materials with the team in the material library, to installations, was eye-opening.

One of my favorite memories was attending JTI’s quarterly POW-WOW event. For the first time, I had the opportunity to witness something that isn’t really taught in school. Witnessing the behind the scenes of everything that goes into running a business was a wonderful learning experience. I truly enjoyed listening to the team discuss what their goals were for the quarter, if they met them or not, mistakes that they learned from, and how they could do better moving forward into the next quarter. It gave me the chance to self-reflect, and I’ll be continuing that practice in my educational path. Working alongside another intern brought a unique dynamic to this experience. We exchanged insights from our different programs and helped each other grow. Whether we were organizing the materials library or bouncing ideas off each other for marketing tasks, we worked as a team.

All in all, the mentorship I received from the team is invaluable. They were generous with their time and feedback, always encouraging us to ask questions and think critically about design solutions. Their guidance not only improved my technical skills but also gave me a deeper understanding of the design process, from managing timelines and Client expectations to navigating challenges on the spot. This summer, I was able to witness what I’ve learned in school.

Design is about more than aesthetics. It’s about problem-solving, empathy, and creating spaces that improve people’s lives. As I return to FIU for the next chapter of my academic journey, I carry with me the skills, confidence, and inspiration I gained this summer.

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