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Illie Alvarez

I grew up as an only child in a single-parent household with a hustlin' Mom who had a great sense of style, both with fashion and home decor. I remember her hunting for deals in the home department of Steinmart & Solo Serve (does anyone remember that store?!) and I was always mesmerized by how she could change the look of our space with just a few pieces. She loved repurposing items, moving furniture into different rooms, and SPRAY PAINTING EVERYTHING. It's funny how trends repeat themselves (but we all know the amazing transformations a can of paint can make 🖌️). ⁠
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I never really acknowledged the same skill within myself until the birth of my first daughter in 2017. Something about raising a human propelled me to reevaluate my career and where I was. I thought about what it truly means to serve others and was hit with a rush of memories.... drinking wine with my girlfriend @hurricane.gbb and asking her if I could rearrange her wall art.... when, as newlyweds, @nazarethexplosion and I hunted down the perfect area rug for our new home on FB Marketplace, and created a gallery wall out of a bunch of small artwork and some old antique frames laying around from our wedding... giving new life to Mom's same accessories, standing on the back porch spray painting the old milk jug and floral vase she loved. I vividly recall Mom saying, "I wish I could hire an Interior Designer for our place". ⁠
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And that's where JoySpace was born... ☀️ It hit me that this was what we've been doing my whole life; practically & affordably reimagining a space and finding Joy in creatively creating a happy place for ourselves. JoySpace was created for everyone. Regardless of budget or what you do or don't have, everyone deserves to love their space their in & have it reflect what makes them happy. ⁠
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Creating Joy is my Joy and I'm thankful for this opportunity to help others. Thank you for taking the time to hear why. Now off to help Mami with her Master bedroom. She just needs to "change a few things," she said...

Feel free to reach out to Illie @ illie@joyspaceaustin.com