From Vision to Studio: The Story of Jess Borrelli Designs

Every business has a starting point. A moment where passion turns into possibility. For Jess Borrelli Designs, that moment didn’t happen overnight. It was built through trust, referrals, late nights, big decisions, and a whole lot of belief.

This is the story of how a side passion became a growing design studio, and how we got here.

If you’ve known me for a while, you know this business didn’t start in a studio. It didn’t even start with a formal plan. It started while I was working a corporate job, sitting at my desk, constantly thinking about design.

I’ve always loved interiors. Rearranging rooms, pulling fabrics, obsessing over the way a space feels. It was something I couldn’t ignore. But for a long time, it stayed in the “someday” category.

Then a friend gave me a chance.

She asked me to design her living room. One room. One opportunity. I poured everything into it, the layouts, the sourcing, the details, and when it was finished, something clicked. Not just for me, but for her too. She loved it. And then she did something that changed everything: she referred me to someone else.

That referral turned into another project. And then another. Slowly, this little side passion started becoming something real. At one point, I had a choice to make. Continue down the corporate path I knew… or believe in myself enough to build something of my own.

I chose design.

In 2018, Jess Borrelli Designs officially began.

For eight years, I was operating out of my home, with sample bins tucked into closets and client meetings happening around my dining table. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was mine. Every project taught me something. Every client trusted me with their home, and that trust is something I have never taken lightly.

Over the years, the business grew steadily. Referrals continued. Projects became larger. The process became more refined. What started as one living room became full homes, renovations, and long-term client relationships that mean the world to me.

And then came another big milestone.

On February 20th, 2026, we opened the doors to our very first studio.

But if I’m being honest, the road to opening those doors wasn’t exactly smooth.

Between unexpected snow days, delayed deliveries, shifting timelines, and even ankle surgeries thrown into the mix, there were definitely moments where it felt like every possible obstacle showed up at once. Things didn’t arrive when they were supposed to. Install days had to adjust. Schedules had to pivot.

It wasn’t perfect.

But we made it work.

And in a way, that season reflects what this business has always been built on; resilience, flexibility, and figuring it out no matter what. Design projects rarely go exactly as planned, and this was no different. It just reminded me why I love what I do: solving problems, adapting, and seeing the vision through to the end.

Standing in the finished studio, knowing everything it took to get there, makes it that much more meaningful. We are beyond grateful and so, so happy to finally be here.

This season has brought even more change. Hiring an assistant was a huge step, and such an exciting one! It means we can serve our clients better, be more present, and continue building something that lasts.

The studio isn’t the finish line. It’s a new chapter.

Jess Borrelli Designs has always been about creating thoughtful, intentional spaces that reflect the people who live in them. That hasn’t changed. If anything, this new space allows us to elevate that experience even more. Giving clients a place to collaborate, review materials, and truly immerse themselves in the design process.

To everyone who has trusted me since that very first living room, thank you. You’ve been part of this story whether you realized it or not.

From a corporate desk… to a dining room office… to our own design studio.

We’re just getting started.

If you’re ready to create a home that truly supports the way you live, click the “Book a Consult” button below.