Our August Woman in Business is Monica Stewart of The Misfit House
Based in: Athens, Georgia
Established: 2016
Monica Stewart of The Misfit House is a fellow vintage purveyor and design lover.
We love her signature juxtaposition of styles: traditional and modern and her ability to make a house a home.
Give us a little background into your business JOURNEY.
My husband decided to go back to college to finish his degree and we were flat broke with a third baby on the way, so I started painting furniture to pay tuition. Each project became more involved and I did a lot of work in town for a local designer. She was kind enough to let me shadow her and help me get started. Before that, I spent my childhood moving around to mostly furnished parsonages (homes owned by churches). They were never updated and the furnishings were random hand-me-downs, but my mother made each house feel like home on a zero dollar budget with sentimental family heirloom art, other small pieces, and the comfiest bedding. Watching her, unknowingly inspired me to work on making houses feel like homes.
When did you know you wanted to go all in and start your business?
I felt excited to give it a try but felt I couldn’t help others before I had lived through a renovation myself. We gutted our kitchen, it ended up on the cover of Atlanta Magazine and after that I decided to get serious.
What has been your biggest challenge since starting your business?
Right after the magazine came out, my dad was diagnosed with a very rare form of lymphoma. I spent every moment I could with him and helping out my mom. Our children were very young, and my business was so new I couldn’t keep all the balls in the air. My husband kept things going at home and fortunately, I had extremely understanding clients and was able to keep the business alive until my dad made a full recovery!
“Any chance I get to pour over an old house, design books, textiles, art, I’m always looking for it and can’t help myself. Sometimes I find it in the strangest places.”
Looking back on your career so far, what has been your biggest achievement?
I completed 2 homes for brothers whose wives have completely different styles, and I’m equally obsessed with both. Those projects were full of creative freedom and out of the box moments, I learned so much and in turn feel we achieved a really bad ass level of design!
How would you describe the “Misfit House” aesthetic?
It’s client driven, sentimental, warm, layered, cozy and hopefully always a bit unexpected.
What’s your favorite part of the design process?
I love textiles and paint and cabinetry and aaaahhhh I don’t know, I love everything except the never ending computer work. The design process always starts with layout and floor plans, making sense of the space and achieving the most function while infusing it with character.
Who is someone you admire in the creative space, and why?
Susan Hable is a local artist that’s a friend and someone I look up to, she and her sister Katherine have been so good to me. Susan has always given me very real advice about business ownership, creative pursuits, and even being a mama. To name a few others Lulie Wallace, Anna Bond, Pierce and Ward, Robert Kime, Rita Konig, Gil Shafer.
What's one piece of advice you'd have for someone wanting to pursue a career in design?
Be prepared to put in a lot of hours learning, triple checking your plans, thinking through all the details and working on projects that may leave you feeling a little lost or down. It seems very glamorous in some ways and parts of the job are incredibly fun and rewarding, but there is a lot in between that is humbling and requires grit.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
Any chance I get to pour over an old house, design books, textiles, art, I’m always looking for it and can’t help myself. Sometimes I find it in the strangest places. A project I am super excited about this year has a porch railing detail that was inspired by a rusted mailbox stand falling over in my neighborhood. I HAD to find a way to create something replicating it’s unique diamond pattern.
Working in a career that often overlaps with your passion, can easily lead to burnout. What still lights that fire when you are lacking inspiration?
I’m in a constant inner push and pull with this one. I love my work, so when I find myself day dreaming of having nothing to do or wishing I could curl up and be completely unproductive for the day…I try to recognize that as my brain’s nudge, telling me to take a little time. Even if that’s just one day “out of the office” to a trip with my family where I truly don’t look at my phone. Every summer I attempt to slow down and that has really helped me feel rejuvenated and re-inspired.
Anything exciting happening at The Misfit House that you want to tell us about?
YES! I started Evolve Lighting Co with my partner last year and I’m so excited about the lights we’ve made and what we are planning to create. Our lights are made in Athens, GA from authentic materials, such as brass, walnut, linen, glass, that will evolve and patina with time. You can also find us on The Expert. I have really enjoyed virtual consultations and connecting with people all over the world. It’s the coolest!
Monica’s Everyday Essentials
Rapid Fire
Coffee or go to beverage order? DECAF black
Person who makes you laugh harder than anyone? My Uncle Mike.
Top song on streaming app? Crowded Table by Brandi Carlile
Last book you read? Love Her Well by Kari Kampakis
If you could only have 3 items for the rest of your life, what would they be? Wow, what?? Soap, toothpaste, a dress? I could never pull off stinky and naked.
If you had a day free of all responsibilities, what would you do? Can I have 2? Either a 2 hour Massage and a never-ending lunch with friends or an all day picnic with my family ending with cocktails to relax after a full day of sibling mediation.
Role Model? I’m a daddy’s girl, always have been, always will be.
Favorite Clothing Store? Free People, Cillie’s (downtown Athens), and any clothing rack in the back corner of an antique store.
Biggest Fear? Something harming my children.
Do you have any kids? Names/ages? Bess 12, Hodges 11, Chuck 6
Guilty Pleasure? Milkshakes! One year, I asked a guy at Round Top where I could get one and he laughed so hard. Still not sure what’s funny about it :)
What reality show would you thrive on? Haven’t watched reality TV since season 2 of the bachelor.
A place on your bucket list? Italy.