Interior Designer Vicki Zagrodnik Of Sims Exterior & Remodeling: 5 Things You Can Do To Help Your Living Space Spark More Joy
Bring nature into your space whether it be plants, items made of natural materials such as wood or stone, and use colors of nature that bring the outside into your room.
As part of our series on the “5 Things You Can Do To Help Your Living Space Spark More Joy”, we had the pleasure of interviewing Vicki Zagrodnik.
Vicki joined the Sims team in 2022, bringing nearly 30 years of experience in the kitchen and bath industry. As a Madison native with a degree in Interior Design from UW-Madison, she combines her expertise with a keen attention to detail to help clients create their dream spaces. Her ability to listen, collaborate, and guide homeowners through the design process ensures a smooth and enjoyable experience from start to finish. Vicki lives in the Madison area with her husband, Scott, and their two children, Connor and Chloe. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, cheering on her daughter at sporting events, gardening, tackling home projects, and being outdoors.
Thank you so much for joining us in this series! Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn a bit more about you. Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
I was always drawn to color and design and everything creative as a little girl. I went to school for Interior Design and have been in this industry ever since. I love space planning and creating spaces for people that they can enjoy for life.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started this career?
I actually did a kitchen for a couple in their 90s, they were the sweetest people and a delight to work with. It just goes to show you that you can never be too old to get your dream kitchen!
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
I had designed a space with a large and tall pantry cabinet that was to go into a customer’s basement. When we went to deliver the cabinet, it would not fit down the staircase, and we ended up having to bring it through one of the windows to get it into the space. Thank goodness that worked! I definitely learned that stairs can create a challenge, and it’s always a good idea to make sure larger cabinets can fit through the spaces by considering the path they are going to take and making all the correct measurements beforehand.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? How do you think that might help people?
I am currently working on a project on an older home that has only one bathroom on the main floor, and we are creating a master suite with a bathroom on the second floor. This will be a dramatic change as the second floor is currently only being used for storage, and now they will have a beautiful relaxing retreat. It just goes to show you that your home can be transformed into your dream space; you just have to use your imagination.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“Mistakes are a fact of life; it’s how you respond to the error that counts.”-Niki Giovanni. Throughout my career, I have always had a hard time dealing with making mistakes. In this industry, there are so many details and moving parts that it’s almost impossible for everything to go perfectly. To help me get through it, I know how I respond to the mistake is even more important than the mistake itself, but if you do your best to take care of the problem, the customer will appreciate you for it.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
There are a lot of people I have met throughout my 32 years in the design field who have been a part of where I am today. From my college professor who helped me find my first job in cabinet design, to my first manager who had to teach me the ropes in designing and selling kitchens, to the person who recommended me for the job I am currently in, and many others along the way. I would not be where I am today without the help and guidance of others, and I am grateful for every one of them.
What are your “5 Things You Can Do To Help Your Living Space Spark More Joy” and why?
1 . Bring nature into your space whether it be plants, items made of natural materials such as wood or stone, and use colors of nature that bring the outside into your room.
2 . Make your space a sanctuary, a place to relax and unwind and bring you peace. Surround yourself with calming colors, soft neutral materials, art you love, and photos of those you love.
3 . Declutter your space; it brings too much chaos to the mind. Decluttering will make you feel calm, bring you peace, and make you feel in control. Create dedicated spaces for specific purposes, such as a reading nook or an area to do crafts.
4 . Make your space your own; it should reflect your personality and interests. Fill your home with things that are meaningful to you and tell your story, such as photos, mementos, or collections. This will make your space more personal and unique to you and more enjoyable to be in.
5 . Add a splash of color; color can significantly affect your mood. Introduce colors that make you happy, whether it’s a fresh coat of paint, a colorful rug, artwork, or vibrant pillows.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)
I would love to inspire sustainable style for the home. Not only is it fun to find treasures in many places, such as thrift stores, salvage yards, flea markets, and estate sales, but it is also doing our environment a favor by not letting all of these beautiful and unique objects go into a landfill. Many objects can be found, such as beautiful wood furniture, vintage textiles, lighting, and decorative accessories.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might see this, especially if we tag them :-)
I have always been a fan of Joanna Gaines. I not only love her style but I also admire how she is a savvy businesswoman who has created her own empire all the while being a mom of five. She has made Waco, Texas, a destination, and I would love to go someday and would definitely be open to lunch with her while I am there.
How can our readers follow you on social media?
You can see my work and my coworkers’ as well if you follow this link:
Thank you so much for joining us. This was very inspirational!
