Name: Alex Bekrić (bek-rik)

Company: Big Sky Design‍

Position: Sales + Branding Manager

I've been in the interiors industry my entire life, both through my upbringing and professional career. From interior design and owning a small business specializing in vintage furniture and smalls to high-end furniture production and directing a luxury furniture gallery, I've experienced multiple facets of the interiors world. Growing up in a family-owned renovation and remodeling business, with a mother and grandmother who were both trained in interior design, I was immersed in the world of design from a young age. My path took a slight detour when college volleyball commitments led me to pivot my studies, earning degrees in strategic communications and fashion + retail merchandising. These skills have proven invaluable in my career (phewwww!). Now, I lead the marketing and branding efforts as well as the sales floor at Big Sky Design and the Shop + Studio.

How did you discover your passion for your field? Give me the elevator pitch of your journey to get where you are today.

When I was a kid, I created floor plans and design concepts for my bedroom makeovers to pitch to my parents (or anyone who would listen). My father would quiz me on construction lingo, materials, calculating square footage, eyeballing the center and then measuring for accuracy (I got pretty damn good), and everything in between. You could say I was groomed to be in this industry… just kidding, but really.

What inspires you the most when it comes to your design work? Are there any specific sources or experiences that fuel your creativity?

I am constantly researching and digging for interior design and fashion creatives who are doing cool stuff in the world. I pull a lot of inspiration from other designers from all over the world in furniture design, interior design, and streetwear (fashion) specifically. I find so much inspiration in incredible abandoned spaces, primitive objects and treasures, antiqued and distressed materials finding new life, clothing and art of all kinds. I am forever observing, which makes for an overwhelmingly creative world, but I quite literally live for it.

Could you share a project or design that you consider a turning point in your career? What made it significant for you?

My first whole-house design client when I started working for myself (at age 23) was the biggest and best learning experience to date. This client was exceptionally knowledgeable about industry trends and vendors, and she was also very well-traveled. While I offered my expertise and vision for the design concept and end goal, she introduced me to ideas and inspirations from around the world and from the depths of the furniture industry that I hadn’t been yet. It truly became a special experience for both of us. The collaboration was incredibly creative and without budget constraints, making the end result pretty special!

In what ways do you continually push yourself to grow and evolve as a designer? Any strategies or habits you've found particularly effective?

Stay informed and don’t let things get stale. I believe in truly timeless design decisions and starting with the actual characteristics of the home before I “put things in it”. The industry is ever-evolving, offering opportunities to do something new, innovative, or with creative application (I love bringing traditionally commercial design features into residential spaces). Additionally, staying aware of your trades/artisans and understanding the opportunities for custom goods, their processes, and costs can greatly expand your design world. Don’t limit yourself to the vendors or suppliers you know—exploring beyond them and collaborating with artisans is key to creating truly special interiors. You won’t know what you don’t know!

What challenges have you encountered along your design path, and how have you overcome them? Any valuable lessons learned?

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in the industry is the immense value of hands-on experience. Even when faced with challenges due to my academic background, the skills and knowledge I've gained through real-world experience have shaped my journey and helped me grow within the industry. From the very beginning of my career, I’ve had to knock down walls and won’t stop now!

I’ve also learned to be confident in what I know and honest about what I don't. Admitting when I don’t have all the answers not only builds credibility but also fosters genuine connections with clients and colleagues. Being a real human in this industry is crucial. I refuse to make anyone believe that I think I know it all. When I know it all, that’s when I’ll know I’ve done all I can in this world. Until then, I hope to keep learning for the rest of my life!

Are there any design trends or industry developments that you find exciting or intriguing? How do you incorporate or adapt them in your own work?

Right now, the industry is embracing vintage and antique items, and I couldn’t be happier! Given my background in vintage furniture, I might be a bit biased, but I genuinely believe this trend is here to stay (or at least it should be!). Incorporating vintage pieces brings balance and authenticity to any space. Promoting this trend has become a mission for me because it allows for truly personalized spaces when you include items sourced outside of the mainstream—or even from your own family archives!

Let's switch gears for a moment. What's the most unexpected or unusual source of inspiration you've had for a design project?

An abandoned building! The mix of colors and textures from old patinaed metal or surfaces as they grow mossy, rusty, and discolored is truly stunning. I’m a huge fan of unexpected color combinations and using them to create concepts that feel warm, creative, collected, and worldly.

If you could work on a collaboration with any artist or designer, living or deceased, who would it be and why?

I follow and adore so many creatives in the industry, but I’ve always had a soft spot for Axel Vervoordt (one of my first coffee table books so many years ago). I also used to wish that was my first name because Alex was just so close—HA!

Do you have any quirky design rituals or habits that you follow to get into the creative mindset? Share some of your design rituals, if any.

I REALLY tumble down the brainstorming and research hole to extensively understand the basis for the overall vision or concept and know what avenues are accessible or may take more time (this means I have 100+ tabs open and my laptop is quite literally hot) then I get specific from there. I like to understand whats possible within the constraints provided before I get too in the weeds with specific selections and decisions. I do this for interiors as well as in my marketing work!

Imagine you have unlimited resources and time for a dream design project. What would you create, and why is it meaningful to you?

An entire lifestyle multi-use property. From the land, the design and structure of the residential home, a mixed use commercial space on the property, to the crops grown on it and the animals that inhabit it… I’d love to create an entire little world (fingers crossed, it’s my own)!

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