I grew up in the heart of Miami Beach, spending my childhood hopping between
the lobbies and pools of the city’s most exquisite boutique hotels. When my friends
and I were inevitably asked to leave for failing to produce a room key, we’d simply
wander to the next hotel and start again. We all had pools at home, but I was
captivated by the curated spaces—the way design could transport and transform.

As a K-12 student, I won awards for my art almost every year while excelling academically, graduating in the top 3% of my class. But while my peers chased Ivy League schools, I was more interested in building a life where art was at the center. So, I packed my bags and headed to New York for a formal design education.

I attended Pratt Institute, one of the first universities in the country to offer interior design courses and still a leader in the field over a century later. I made the Dean’s List every semester and earned my BFA in Interior Design. I won’t lie—the program was grueling, far more intense than most imagine art school to be. Many (many) sleepless nights were spent in the studio, pushing creative and technical boundaries.

Through brutal critiques and endless iterations, I learned to transform feedback into something constructive, to self-direct but also take direction, and most importantly, just how far I could push myself—both creatively and physically.

Pratt sharpened my design skills, but it didn’t teach me the realities of budgets, client management, or running a business. I filled those gaps working for boutique firms throughout college and beyond, learning valuable clerical and project management skills. But I’ll admit—I was frustrated that my creativity was sitting idle. More than anything, I wanted to observe client interactions, yet my employers weren’t keen on letting me in the room.

That changed when I joined Carlos Mota’s firm full-time. He was transitioning from his career as a renowned stylist into full-scale interior design, and when I asked if I could be part of client meetings, he laughed and said, “Honey, the meetings don’t run themselves!” Music to my ears.

Carlos gave me creative freedom, valued my opinion, and packed years of experience into an intensive two-and-a-half-year mentorship. I managed projects, built relationships with vendors and clients, designed custom furniture and textiles, and learned not to shy away from bold choices—or color. Most importantly, I realized I was ready to start my own design firm.

As I began taking on my own projects, Homepolish (RIP) was the hot new platform connecting designers with clients. After a rigorous application process, I was admitted to their agency, which meant clients were sent straight to my inbox—no marketing, no cold pitching. It was great… until it wasn’t. My gut told me to step back just before they announced bankruptcy, leaving countless designers unpaid and clients without refunds. Dodging that bullet was a relief, but it also meant I had to master client acquisition on my own.

I dabbled in lead-generating platforms, but my business grew most organically—happy clients spread the word, and enthusiastic followers on the internet resonated with my work. It’s been a journey, but I’ve built a career where creativity is at the forefront, just as I always hoped.

Starting my own firm young wasn’t the traditional route. Most designers spend years climbing the ranks under an established name before branching out. But patience has never been my strong suit, so I forged my own path—and Veyebs was born.

I came up with the name in college for a side Instagram account that served as a textural diary of design inspiration. A play on “vibes” and the artistic eye needed to curate them, Veyebs also gives a nod to my own, well… uniquely large eyes. The name is constantly mispronounced, but like most things in my world, I’m committed to it.

For the past ten years, I’ve specialized in residential design between Miami and New York. Lately, I’ve been expanding into commercial and hospitality spaces—an exciting evolution that allows me to create immersive environments where design meets experience. No matter the project, my goal remains the same: to craft spaces that feel as good as they look.

Follow along to keep up with our ever-evolving story.

Xx, Stefany (Founder & Chief Designer)