Forget everything you know about neon, this interior designer breaks all the rules.
For Jessica McCarthy, founder of JAM Creative Studio, neon lights offer the opportunity to evolve even the most traditional spaces. They are the centerpiece of any space and, as Jessica says, "the perfect insta-worthy shot, where everyone wants to take a picture."
Whether it's a modern apartment or a chic estate, Jessica's work involves layering unique pieces. "My Austin design is really funky. It combines traditional floral wallpaper with more modern furniture," she says. "The neon was the perfect way to merge the different styles and add a bit of whimsy."
A neon light for every location: find your bright soul mate
"For this particular project, I was able to find a ready-made neon sign. But for my other clients, I usually upload my own design or their logo," Jessica explains. "The ability to upload your own logo, customize the font and color, all for an affordable price, makes the process so fun and easy," she says of our custom neon design tool.
Yellowpop is great to work with. I use neon in a lot of my designs and they are the only company I work with now," she says. Jessica also appreciates the dimmer remote control that comes with our neon lights. "In most other companies, you have to unplug the panel every time you want to turn it off," she adds. "This is a game changer!"
Jessica is often asked by media outlets like Sunset, PopSugar and the Washington Post for interior design advice. So we asked her how she styles a modern decor element like neon. "Don't be afraid to add neon to a more traditional design," she says. "The juxtaposition makes for a really interesting look. Plus, neon will become the source of many interesting discussions."
"If you want something that blends in with the decor and isn't too flashy, I recommend a white sign. For something that stands out, consider a color," she recommends. We love the way Jessica arranged Stay Awhile by Caren Kreger in this pattern-rich living room.
"It really brings the space to life," she says. "The neon is the focal point of the room. It takes the place of an art piece. My client was absolutely fascinated!"
From intern to Insta-Famous: Jessica McCarthy's artistic journey
Jessica grew up taking fine art and painting classes, which inspired her practical approach to design. Thinking she wanted to work in film, she then studied set design. "After living in Los Angeles, I realized my passion was actually interior design, and I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area to take advantage of the startup tech boom," she recalls.
Not only was San Francisco teeming with affluent new entrepreneurs, but there was also a growing intersection between technology and design. "I got a job at a virtual interior design company and spent almost five years there," says Jessica, "starting as an intern and ending as a creative director."
While there, she styled spaces for design editorial publications and added some high-profile private homes to her resume. "I now work as the global design director for a hospitality technology company. There I designed an extensive collection of furniture, which can be seen in apartments around the world."
If the 2.0 tech boom was a turning point in Jessica's career, what follows the pandemic will certainly bring new opportunities. "It's crazy how much the industry has changed in the last year," she notes. "Interior design has become more in demand than ever before due to the fact that people are spending so much more time at home."
"Most of my clients are embarking on projects they've been putting off for years, as our homes have become our sanctuaries, our gyms, our offices and our homes." She continues to provide clients with her signature "maximalist approach to design" through JAM Creative Studio. And for her own space, perhaps she envisions a custom neon in the future?
"I'm passionate about music and pushing boundaries. I would love to have a set of sassy lyrics," she says of her dream neon.