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Hello everyone my name is Ava and I'm from Columbus, OH, but moved to Chicago this year for my MFA in Painting and Drawing at SAIC. I also graduated Denison University in 2024 with a BFA in Studio Art! I've always had a large interest in interior design and my current artistic practice is super inspired by decoration and textile design! I love all things color and pattern (especially stripes and florals), and so Bloom & Co. certainly stood out to me!

I think both curation and timelessness are the brand values I resonate with the most. Within my personal design style, I've always prioritized hunting for the perfect piece that fits within the space that sparks daily joy and creativity. Everything that I put in a space I envision having for years to come! The aesthetic keyword "found" goes hand and hand. I love hunting through antique malls to find that timeless yet unique piece that becomes a part of a collection. Antiquing has become one of my favorite activities, and I have many amazing memories traveling to different antique stores with my mom! Adding touches of aged, or found, objects mixed with something new always creates the perfect balance.

I can't wait to meet you all and I'm super excited to join the team this summer!

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Hi everyone! My name is Sakina, and I am from Fort. Lauderdale, Florida. I am currently studying cognitive science and architectural engineering, and design. One of Bloom & Co.'s brand values that resonates with me the most is storytelling. From what I have learned thus far in my architecture classes is that one's concept and design should be telling a story. When a design has meaning can tell a story, it shows the commitment and dedication that designers put into their work. An aesthetic keyword that I connect with is tailored. I believe that one's design should be intentional, considering the client's needs/wants, including the intentionality of the project itself. This is acknowledging what materials work best with the location, how we can make things sustainable, etc. Having a tailored aesthetic is important to the result of the overall project.

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Hello Everyone! My name is Trinity, and I am from Charlotte, North Carolina. I began my journey as a designer in 2019 when I had the privilege of taking a design-centered summer course and subsequently studying architecture at SAIC. I believe design, beyond being a tool to create beauty, is one of the most powerful modes of thinking available to us, and I apply the analytical thinking and creativity I bring to my design work with me everywhere in life.

Outside of architecture, I love to draw, make music, and explore the city. I have a soft spot for live music of any kind, whether I am on stage with my band or in the audience.

The core value that resonates with me the most is curation. Approaching my life and surroundings through the lens of curation, that is to say, selecting with intention and focus, has helped me to find a sense of balance in my life. I have always been prone to collecting items that fascinated me, but the art of curation has allowed me to be present with my mind and understand what it is within me that draws me towards something.

The aesthetic keyword that best describes my design approach would be tailored. The act of tailoring requires precision and creativity; a balance between the creative act of stitching the fabric, the observant act of measurement and fitting, and the subtractive act of cutting, prototyping, or starting over. This idea captures my design process because the goal is always precision and specificity. The dance between the restrictions of the project and the creative nature of the work is endlessly exciting, and I'm very excited to join the team.

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Hello! My name is Mara, and I grew up in Washington, D.C. I moved to Chicago about two years ago and have been pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where my main focus is Fibers and Sculpture. I think a lot about how objects exist in spaces and am very interested in how various elements of a space can really bring it together.

Out of the 5 core brand values, the one that I resonate with most is storytelling. People want their houses to feel like a home rather than just a property, the personal details bring a space together. I’m very excited to help people choose the different elements that feel unique and important to their stories, incorporated into their living spaces.

I connect with the aesthetic keyword “Found” the most because I really enjoy repurposing found objects and materials in my art practice as well as in my everyday life (whether it is clothing, decoration, etc). I believe in drawing creative inspiration from existing pieces while preserving the unique, vintage touches that make them special. I’m particularly very drawn to Chicago’s architecture (especially Victorian and Greystone styles), and I am excited to highlight their historic features through designs that complement them.

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Hi everyone! My name is Samuel Grooten, and I’m a Finance student at Virginia Tech, born and raised in Virginia. I’m also Benjamin’s and Rebekah’s younger brother, and I’m incredibly excited for the opportunity to contribute to the sales and finance side of operations at Bloom & Co.

Out of Bloom & Co.’s brand values, Storytelling resonates most with me. In both finance and branding, numbers and narratives go hand-in-hand. The most memorable brands don’t just sell products—they communicate a vision, a feeling, a story that people want to be part of. I’m excited to learn how Bloom brings that kind of intentional storytelling to life.

I’ve seen firsthand the passion and creativity my family has poured into Bloom, and I’m genuinely excited to see their visions come to life through this business. I have full faith in their abilities, and I’m grateful to play a small role in supporting and scaling something so meaningful.

The aesthetic keyword I connect with most is Tailored. Whether in fashion, business, or branding, I value thoughtful design and strategies that are customized, refined, and purposeful. It’s that attention to detail that elevates a brand—and I’m looking forward to helping support that standard at Bloom.

Can’t wait to collaborate with all of you this season!

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A photo of a rainbow I captured a few days ago; a reminder that, just as a rainbow brings color and hope after a storm, I aim to bring warmth, light, and a sense of calm to the spaces and stories I create :) 

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Hello! My name is Preksha, and I was born and raised in India. My journey into design began when I was 14, during a summer camp that first sparked my interest. Two years later, in 2016, I was selected as a foreign exchange student in the suburbs of Chicago. Out of curiosity, I enrolled in an Interior Design class, which turned out to be a pivotal moment. One of the most memorable experiences was a field trip to downtown Chicago, where I was completely awestruck by the city’s architecture. The blend of historical elegance and modern innovation left a lasting impression on me.

Cut to today, with around 3+ years of experience in the design industry, I remain deeply passionate about how spaces tell compelling stories. I’m currently expanding my expertise in design research, strategy, and innovation through a Master’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction at the Institute of Design, Illinois Tech.

While all the values at Bloom & Co. resonate deeply with me, what truly stands out is the brand’s emphasis on curation and elevated living. Each design is not just aesthetically refined but thoughtfully crafted to create meaningful experiences and spaces that feel intentional, immersive, and deeply personal. Beyond the visual language, it's the sense of belonging and meaningfulness woven into each project that speaks to me. It beautifully encapsulates the very reason I chose to become a designer- to create spaces that inspire and leave a lasting impact.

I hope to add more to these values of the brand, contributing not just my skills and experience, but also my deep appreciation for thoughtful design and meaningful storytelling.

Lastly, while my hobbies and interests have evolved over time, one quality that has remained constant is my desire and ability to bring warmth and a touch of individuality to both spaces and conversations.

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My name is Miles. I was born and raised in Washington DC, I have also lived in South East Asia for a good chunk of my teens before moving back to the states. I’m currently studying architectural and interior design, adjacent to my video and installation practice.

What initially drew me to Bloom & Co was its aesthetic and technical presentation with floral arrangements. In my Indonesian and Thai cultures, the relationship between an individual and the natural environment is a heavily sentimental and sensory one. Living in South East Asia, I have always been surrounded by foliage and fauna. I have always been taken aback at how the jungle and the “green” persists against concrete, essentially becoming a part of the design itself. I’ve appreciated how Bloom & Co essentially parallels this idea, with their various wallpaper and natural environment inspired designs.

A keyword and brand value that resonated with me was “timelessness, a style that endures”. It reminds me of the timeless designs of the various working class rowhomes present in DC, Baltimore and Philadelphia. Parts of the East Coast that are extremely familiar to me. These designs were built for newly started working class families and are now occupied by people of all walks of life. But for me, “timeless” also harkens to the nature of a design's surroundings. Back to the idea of how the natural world comes to reclaim what is built on it, one way or another.

A lot of my design interest falls within my love for Chicago’s own prairie style, along with the adjacent mid century modern and the various American-Victorian styled townhouses. Additionally I love a nice bungalow, an example being a Minangkabau house. A building which is native to Padang, Indonesia. Overall I appreciate any design that manages to incorporate/pay homage to its surrounding natural environment.

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Welcome to Bloom & Co. — where your creativity finds its purpose.

My name is Alberto, and I’m a lifelong Chicagoan, shaped by the rhythm and richness of this city. From the very beginning, I’ve been drawn to the act of making — whether it was sketching, composing music, crafting video games, sculpting, shading, or, most recently, building furniture. For me, creation is more than a passion — it’s a language, and design is one of its most powerful dialects.

Home, in all its forms, is our truest canvas. It’s where we let go, where we unfold — where we become. I believe a home reflects who we are at our core, just as much as the clothes we choose to wear. That’s why thoughtful design begins with listening — getting to know someone not just through their words, but through their world.

Of the three aesthetic words we explore at Bloom & Co., I couldn’t choose just one. Each is essential to telling the story of a space. Without any one of them, the narrative would feel incomplete. Together, they whisper and roar, speak and sing — far beyond what words alone could ever express.

Nature is my muse. The way animals and entire ecosystems use pattern and pigment, contrast and calm, function and flourish — it reminds me that great design is intuitive and honest. It should feel alive.

I’m very excited to be on this journey with each of you. This place — Bloom & Co. — isn’t just a company. It’s a home for dreamers, makers, and storytellers. Let’s build beauty together.

Alberto.

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Hi everyone! I’m Rebekah, and I’m so excited to kick off this season with you all. I’m originally from Virginia but now live in Chicago, where I split my time between behavior analysis work and co-running Bloom & Co. I’ve always loved interiors, but even more than that—I love the way a space can tell a story or shift how someone feels just by stepping into it. My love of flowers and plants plays a big role in that—I’m always looking for ways to bring the outdoors in and create spaces that feel alive, layered, and full of warmth. The value that resonates most with me is Storytelling. I believe that everything we curate should reflect a point of view or a memory. Helping people find those little pieces that feel like them is what lights me up. I also care deeply about building community—whether through shared spaces, creative collaboration, or everyday conversations. That’s at the heart of Bloom & Co. for me. Of our aesthetic words, I personally connect most with Beloved. I love when something feels broken-in and personal—like it’s been around long enough to mean something. That’s the kind of home I try to create for myself and help others create, too. I’m attaching a photo of my dog—my favorite thing—in a wildflower garden I had back in Virginia. It reminds me how connected I feel to nature, beauty, and a sense of place. Can’t wait to learn more about each of you. Welcome to Bloom & Co.