We had the good fortune of connecting with Haley Flanagan and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Haley, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
After a successful decade working as a digital marketing strategist, I recognized the need to pivot my career towards a path that would fully engage my creative potential and align with my innate passion for art in its various forms. I craved a new professional path: one where creativity would be at the forefront of my day-to-day work.
Although marketing exposed me to various artistic applications, I knew that interior design offered a unique opportunity to profoundly impact people’s daily lives – a prospect that resonated with me far more deeply than UX, brand and graphic design. This affinity for transforming physical spaces traces back to my childhood, where I would regularly redesign my room by moving furniture, propose home improvements to my parents, and even provide sketches for property value-enhancing renovations. The ability to create environments that foster safety, comfort, and well-being has been a constant thread throughout my life, and now, I feel incredibly fortunate to leverage this skill set, passion, and talent in service of my clients.
Embracing this creative career path has not only made me feel more in alignment with my authentic self but has also unlocked a depth of joy, purpose and excitement that I hadn’t previously experienced in my digital marketing roles. This transition represents more than just a career change; it’s a commitment to pursuing excellence in a field where I can make a tangible, positive impact on people’s daily lives through health-conscious, sustainable design.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At Haley Matchette Design, we’re redefining the concept of interior design by bringing health into our homes. Our holistic design studio offers residential and lifestyle design services that go beyond aesthetics, focusing on creating soulful, healing living spaces that harmonize with nature and enhance your well-being. (Read more about our services here: haleymatchette.com/services). What sets us apart is our unique blend of intuitive design and scientific research. Our approach begins with a deep connection to the land and each client. This involves taking time and space to be quiet with the land, intently researching the history of each site, and also providing extensive client onboarding to fully understand the unique needs and aspirations of our clients. By understanding our client’s dream lifestyle and design vision, we create spaces that not only look beautiful but also feel like a personal reflection of each client’s style, while inspiring them into their ideal way of living and reconnecting with nature.
Our design philosophy prioritizes health for all – for you, for our communities, for the planet, and for our future generations – through a commitment to sustainability and ethical practices. This commitment is evident throughout our entire design process, from initial research to final implementation. We have instituted a comprehensive procurement process that meticulously evaluates products and materials based on quality, sustainability, and overall health impact. This transparent approach empowers our clients to make informed decisions about their living spaces and highlights the potential negative health consequences associated with harmful materials, toxins, and chemicals that are often present in the supply chain of common products and materials. To uphold the highest standards, we consult industry-leading resources such as Healthy Materials Lab, Pharos, HPD Public Repository, and the EWG databases to identify harmful toxins and avoid unethical manufacturers, ensuring that our supply chain remains aligned with our values throughout the project lifecycle.
We’re most proud of and excited about the positive change we’re creating in the world of design. By prioritizing health, sustainability, and personal well-being in our projects, we’re not just designing spaces – we’re crafting lifestyles and contributing to a healthier planet. At Haley Matchette Design, we aim to work with clients who share our values and want to use their buying power to make a positive impact. Contrary to common belief, we’ve found that sustainable options aren’t always more expensive, and we continuously seek out and prioritize sourcing from manufacturers who provide affordable, healthier building products, ensuring that eco-friendly design is accessible to more people. Together, we’re creating spaces that are not only beautiful and functional but also contribute to personal, communal and planetary well-being for generations to come.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Denver offers a fantastic blend of city life and mountain adventures, making it the perfect destination for living and vacationing.
A must-do for any visitor is a day trip to the mountains. I love heading to Breckenridge for its stunning scenery and charming atmosphere. A hike to Upper Crystal Lake is a great way to start the day, followed by a latte & breakfast burrito at Unravel Coffee or Cool River Coffee House. Afterward, explore the town’s shops and grab a drink before heading back to Denver. A pro tip for day-tripping to the mountains during a winter weekend is to wake up early and leave the city by 5am to avoid traffic if you’re planning to ski or snowboard. Leaving the mountains by 1-2pm should help you avoid the mountain traffic as you’re headed back to the city.
Back in Denver, I often enjoy spending time at Cheesman Park and the Denver Botanic Gardens. These green spaces offer a peaceful escape from the urban hustle and bustle and bring together community outdoors. I always love exploring the Platte River Trail and stopping in the REI flagship store to stock up on camping essentials. Civic Center Park is also a great spot to check out free local events and soak up the city’s vibrant atmosphere. For amazing food, I highly recommend Sushi Den, Mister Oso, Duo, Little Gingko, The Greenwich, Cart Driver, or Pho & Bar. There are countless tasty dining options to choose from in Denver, I’m always finding new spots!
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
While I’m deeply grateful for my supportive professional network, my journey into holistic interior design has been primarily driven by my own intuition and unwavering dedication to my vision. I’m deeply thankful for the inner strength that has allowed me to continuously invest my time and resources back into this business that I feel so connected to and feel honored to operate. I must also extend a huge shoutout and heartfelt appreciation to my husband, Colin, whose support has been instrumental in pursuing my creative vision. Without his support, I would not be where I am today and I cannot thank him enough. Truly, I’m deeply appreciative of all who have influenced my path and the Divine forces that have guided me. Each experience has shaped me into the professional I am today, approaching each day with a gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity to make a positive impact through my work.
Website: https://www.haleymatchette.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/haleymatchette/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haleymatchette/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@haleymatchette
Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/haleymatchette/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@haleymatchette
Image Credits
Brand images shot by Nicole Denae Photography.