Today we’d like to introduce you to Ivania Rodriguez.
Hi Ivania, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My passion for interior design started with a simple desire to feel at home.
I have to say that I always had a love for beautiful and well-decorated spaces. When I bought my first home in Puerto Rico, I was always looking for ways to make it feel cozy. Still, I think the moment decorating truly became a passion was when I moved to Texas nine years ago. We moved suddenly, with little time to prepare—no jobs lined up and barely any knowledge of English. When we rented our first apartment, all I could think about was making it feel like home. Amidst all the changes and the cultural shock, I needed something to feel like ours. I needed that apartment to feel safe.That’s when I really started diving into the world of home decor. I spent hours watching YouTube videos, flipping through magazines and books, and scrolling Pinterest. I became obsessed with Facebook Marketplace and began furnishing our apartment with second-hand pieces, even painting my own coastal-style artwork because I wanted to feel close to the island. I still remember my first DIY project—a headboard for our bed made out of cardboard, stuffing, and two yards of Walmart fabric. I attached it to the wall with velcro, and when I saw the final result, I was thrilled! I wanted to do more.
A year later, we moved into a townhome, and that’s when my Instagram journey began. I opened my account and started sharing every little thing I did. I had to learn how to take good photos and edit them properly to post. My goal was to bring my small community along with me on the journey, showing them how to create a beautiful home on a budget.
It was in that new place where I also began to define my style—because let’s be honest, a beach house look didn’t quite fit in Texas, haha! One day I decided to make an entryway table. All I had was a hammer. But with that and a jigsaw I ordered on amazon later, I made the table, sanded it by hand, and from that moment on, I knew I could make anything. I slowly started buying my first tools and working on wood projects. I learned as I went. We were still trying to find our footing financially, so this became my way of having furniture I actually liked and could afford.
I made plenty of mistakes and often felt very frustrated, but completing a project and realizing what I was capable of kept me going. While living in that home, my husband signed me up for an interior decorating course. I had wanted to do it for a long time, but with three young kids and doubts about my English, I held back. Until one day he said, “There won’t be a perfect moment. You have to start now.” A year and a half later, I got certified and opened my e-design business, offering virtual decorating services. Before long, I started getting clients—many were my Instagram followers who had been waiting for me to help them with their homes remotely.
In 2022, we were blessed to buy our first home in San Antonio. I had always dreamed of a fixer-upper, but even then, I felt the house we bought was way beyond my abilities. It was so neglected and run-down that I questioned whether I had the creative vision or financial stability to transform it. But I remembered that God had helped us find it, and He would help us make it a home.
With the keys in my hand, everything felt possible. Now I could break and rebuild as much as I wanted! We’re still renovating and fixing things up, but it’s been both incredibly fun and incredibly challenging. With patience, lots of planning, and plenty of DIY, we’ve been turning this house into a beautiful home.
All along the way, I’ve shared the renovation process with my followers—no filters, no half-truths. I show the costs, the tough moments, the mistakes, the materials I use—everything—so I can motivate and teach others that it is possible to have a beautiful home on any budget. Because a home is so much more than just walls; it’s the place where your whole life happens. And to me, there’s no better reason to pour your heart and effort into your home.
And that’s how I got to where I am. What began as a desire to find a sense of belonging in the midst of overwhelming change became my passion, my hobby, and my art.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Well, being self-taught comes with its challenges. Even though I eventually got formal training—and I continue learning to this day—creativity doesn’t always flow easily, and I’ve definitely faced doubts about my own abilities. Sometimes the fear of making mistakes with a client, or even in my own projects, or not having the budget to fix something if it went wrong, has been paralyzing.
The hardest obstacles have often been the ones I allowed myself to believe. Overcoming them has meant not letting those thoughts take control.
Another challenge for me has been maintaining balance. I think we all struggle with this in one way or another. In my case, my role as a mother is sacred, and I had to face the tough truth that there’s no way to do everything perfectly all at once. At times, my pursuit of the ‘perfect balance’ between my dreams and my family became an obstacle that kept me from moving forward—it was stealing my joy.
Those are the moments when I’ve had to step back, reorganize, and reset my priorities—being a mom and wife first, and then giving space for my talents and passions to come through. I’ve learned that there’s a time for everything in life, and most of the time, the obstacles we face are the ones we create ourselves by not trusting in our abilities or the timing of our own priorities.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in virtual interior decorating. After exploring many different styles, I now focus on neutral and organic design—a style known for its calm feel, light colors, and natural textures.
For the past two years, I’ve dedicated more time to content creation and renovating my own home, teaching those who follow along how to tackle their own DIY renovations and how to plan and manage a budget.
I think what sets me apart is the deep passion I have for both home and family. I don’t just aim to make a space beautiful—I design with the intention of reflecting the life and story of the people who live there, turning their space into something sacred and meaningful.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Surround yourself with people who think and act like you—people who see your talents and encourage you to keep growing. The right company is important at every stage of life, but especially when you’re starting something new that can bring vulnerability and uncertainty
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/idesign.homes
