We had the good fortune of connecting with Lashondra Butler and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi LaShondra, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
Butlerfly Interiors was created to be a transformative Interior Design Studio, and later an Architecture and Design Firm, to build and restore homes and third spaces in urban communities. The process was crafted to build trust as the space and the client both undergo a transformation to create a better quality of life. The process was also crafted to teach others how to sustain said transformation; how to live as the Butterfly.

It was important for me to establish vendor relationships, collaborators and team members that are community-focused; individuals that believe in and practice sustainability, the importance of a communities ecosystem and the impacts of housing affordability.

It was also important for me to research and understand design elements such as neuroaesthetics, color psychology, multifunctionality, biophilic design and decluttering/organization to create a mentally-balanced space in the home or third space.

As the Principal Designer and Owner, I intentionally sought out how to be more involved in the community, whether it be attending city-wide meetings, voting, attending community events or simply introducing myself to builders, developers, and realtors in the area.

By collaborating with community groups or individuals that are already aligned with the solutions to many community-level problems, Butlerfly Interiors aims to participate, advocate for, and design ways to improve our communities, one space at a time.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My father’s company, Butler Construction, sparked my passion for design. As a child, I would accompany him to paint and materials stores, where I was immediately drawn to the sample sections and would eagerly collect pamphlets filled with colors and design inspiration. That’s where my love for design began. Those memories stayed with me as I decorated my room, dorm rooms, and later my apartments, each project infused with those early influences.

As an Industrial and Systems Engineer—aptly nicknamed “The People Engineer”—my work revolved around designing and optimizing processes, facility space planning, product improvement, ergonomic furniture, and system optimization. In 2021, amidst the global shift toward remote work, I shared an idea with my best friend: I wanted to start an interior design business. That idea quickly turned into action. I enrolled in a few online classes, landed my first client, and soon had another, and then another.

Life, however, took its course. I paused my business to embrace the transformative journey of motherhood and after nearly a decade of optimizing tech products and processes, I was laid off —a turning point that compelled me to leap into what had always been more than just a hobby.

Interior design became the perfect medium to merge my artistic expression with my engineering skills to bring projects to life.

My designs are my art, and the journey to share them has been transformational. While working in tech, my passion for interior design was relegated to a quiet hobby, limited to Pinterest scrolling during airport layovers between project sites. Now, I have the freedom to grow and create without limits, building on past experiences to craft new, meaningful ones. My clients share testimonials of the same story, women in STEM that are seeking an artistic release. With that in mind. we create meaningful designs and spaces they are excited to work, rest or entertain in.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
After the airport pickup, I would take them to that cute coffee shop I went to that’s locally owned and has a fun holiday menu, Daily Dose, 404 Coffee ATL, or Black Coffee ATL.

For lunch/dinner, we would head to Bella’s on Butner Rd for their amazing Lobster Fried Rice and cute cocktails. And of course, for the stay we would make various trips to the Beltline, make our way to a few community events hosted by ArtsATL, ARTiculate ATL, or by Zucot Gallery.

If they’re in town for the week, they are of course, coming to book club with me and possibly to a City of Atlanta Plan A meeting.

And to just hang out, we would make our way to a food hall, park or any other nearby third space.

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?
A huge shoutout to my village; my family and best friends for supporting me and being a soundboard during my career pivot from Technology Consulting to now Interior Architecture and Design. The support means the world to me and I truly wouldn’t have gotten through my first year of entrepreneurship without it.

Another shout out to the City Planning Bookclub formed by Liza, of the City of Atlanta Department of City Planning. This group was pivotal in helping me understand how to show up in community and discussion where there may be different perspectives.

Website: https://butlerflyinteriors.com

Instagram: @butlerflyinterior

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lashondra-butler/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ButlerflyInteriors

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