By Maria Desiderata Montana

It was destiny for small-town girl Jennifer Guerin to become a well-known color designer.

Growing up in a family with six siblings in the small lumber and iron-milling town of Ishpeming, Mich., Guerin was always super-independent and had big dreams of being successful. After earning an art degree from San Diego State University, Guerin became one of only 151 color consultants in the U.S. certified by the International Association of Color Consultation — a certification that allows her to select color palettes for public buildings such as hospitals and schools.

Guerin is a business owner and an artist, specializing in wax pigments, multimedia art, decorative plasters and eco-friendly design. She describes her style as Bohemian and Baroque, with touches of 1960s-inspired modern. Very eco-conscious, Guerin says that it’s important to always “save it, re-use it or paint it.”

For now, she’s also a reality TV show contestant: Guerin made her debut on the Home & Garden Television cable channel’s “Design Star” show on July 19, where she competed with nine others for the chance to have her own design show on HGTV.

I caught up with Guerin at her Bankers Hill studio and asked her a few questions about being one of the finalists on “Design Star”.

MDM: When did you first know you were destined to be a color designer?

JG: The minute I met a man who had chosen the colors for one of our favorite painting clients. He introduced himself, showed me the colors he wanted the crew and I to paint, and I knew I had found my destiny.

MDM: Did you ever think you’d be on a reality TV show?

JG: No! Although when I was young I was addicted to the Real World on MTV. I thought that looks like fun, until I hit 25 and realized it probably wasn’t.

MDM: What was it like being on the HGTV show?

JG: It was interesting living with nine strangers. It was really fun, but a lot of work. I made some really good friends that I know I will have for life. We designed all day, had to be fast on our feet, and be able to use power tools on a whim.

MDM: Are the cameras always on?

JG: Yes, all the time, except for when we were sleeping.

MDM: What did you learn most about designing while on the show?

JG: I call being on the show “designer boot camp.” Every day, I learned a new trick on using the power tools, on building, and using new and innovative materials. What I learned most was how capable I am at doing it all myself. I was so used to a team or staff helping for years, that when I worked on my own, I found a new love for design, building and installations.

MDM: If you had to do it all over again, would you be on the show?

JG: Absolutely!

MDM: How long did you own your first company and current company?

JG: Ox and Olive Painting, Inc., six and a half years, and JG Color Studios five years (it has gone through a few name changes in its evolution). This one is gonna stick!

MDM: What’s your favorite color and why?

JG: Right now my favorite color is canary yellow. It has a certain pureness and an ultimate happiness. Any other day my answer would be turquoise. Why? Because it’s drop dead gorgeous!

MDM: What do you feel is the most important element of color?

JG: Color is one of the most important elements of a room, business or home. It is also one of the most challenging elements to choose for the person who is going to be spending their time in that space.

MDM: What is it that you absolutely love most about your job?

JG: I get such satisfaction out of seeing the smile on my clients’ faces when they realize within a couple of hours that they love all the colors that were picked out for their space. They love the color palette so much, their faces are beaming and they actually can’t wait to have the painting process begin.

MDM: Where do you see your future headed?

JG: I plan to move to another country to raise kids in the future and write books on color and my adventures in life, but until then, I’m staying put in San Diego.

MDM: What do you want people to know if they are thinking of asking you for help with designing their space?

JG: I will give them homework and believe they will they have fun during the process of designing and making decisions. I think they will fall in love with the final look of each room. People need to be open to using eco-conscious products that save on carbon footprints and waste, but also can be just as beautiful and add so much more character.

MDM: When you design a space, what are some of the thoughts that initially go through your head?

JG: What are their ticks? What is their design goal? I have no problem asking every question to make sure I get it right. I can pin their personality down to a tee. So much of what a designer does, color or interior, is so much more psychological and intriguing. I love it!

MDM: What’s been your biggest challenge career wise so far?

JG: Running a company of six employees while building a business and growing at an alarming rate. I think every person should run his or her own business for one year to understand how much you have to give up personally to have success, as well as surviving the ups and downs of it all.

MDM: What do you think about the design space in San Diego? Is it as competitive as other areas in the U.S.?

JG: Since I’ve only designed in San Diego mainly I couldn’t answer that question. I’ve done a couple of projects in San Francisco, Seattle and L.A. but the clients brought me in.

MDM: Have you traveled internationally and do you have any design style from other countries that you incorporate into your work?

JG: I LOVE to travel. Every trip has a slight influence on my inspiration. My most recent vacation was to Cozumel and Playa del Carmen and the colors were so vibrant and bold it shocked my soul. I don’t have one country that stands out as an inspiration, they all hold a place in my memory banks and with the right design the memories of the places are re-created into design.

MDM: If someone wants to be your client, why should they pick you?

JG: If they are more environmentally conscious and want to integrate fun and character into their environment, then I’m the one for them. I prefer to use reclaimed objects/pieces in my designs such as items of architectural salvage, vintage stores or collections a client has kept. I want to display them in a whimsical way. A house or business doesn’t have to be boring. It should exude the personality of the person in the space and contain whimsy and charm. I will place eco-friendly products above others and ensure their space will exceed their expectations and imagination.

For more information, visit Jennifer Guerin Color and Design at 1843 Fifth Ave., San Diego. Phone: (619) 255-7676, or go to www.jgcolor.com

Maria Desiderata Montana is an award-winning journalist, editor, and published author based in San Diego. Visit her website at www.sandiegofoodfinds.com.