By Tim Simard

Observer staff

Lindsay Jaccom is in the business of helping people in a creative way. When someone wants a new look for the inside of a home, whether it’s a living room, dining room, bedroom or all three, Jaccom wants that homeowner to call her.

A New York native who now lives in Williston, Jaccom is one of the town’s newest interior designers. She started her business, Lindsay Jay Designs, in late summer and promoted her services via word-of-mouth. She’s already worked on a few small projects in the Champlain Valley, and is in the midst of redesigning a home in Shelburne.

For Jaccom, her work combines her passions of art and architecture.

“I love how I can be creative every day,” Jaccom said, adding that she’s been busy learning the business aspects of her new venture.

She said becoming an interior designer requires a lot more work and education than many people believe. It’s not just decorating as a side hobby, she said; the profession requires study and knowledge of various types of architecture and art styles, and different prints, textiles and patterns.

As a student at the University of Vermont, Jaccom discovered her love for designing while earning her degree in studio art and art history. After graduating from UVM in 2006, she moved to New York City to study at Parsons New School of Design, enrolling in a two-year master’s program. Part of her studies led her to Paris, where she explored French architecture.

While in New York, Jaccom worked for a residential design firm, working on multi-million dollar apartments in Manhattan. She also freelanced her services on the side. Through her master’s degree and work in New York, she became allied with the American Society of Interior Designers, a professional organization for people in Jaccom’s vocation.

Jaccom returned to Vermont this year because she loves the state and believes Lindsay Jay Designs can succeed with artistically inclined Vermonters. Now a resident of Williston, she’s been a frequent presence at home shows around the Champlain Valley.

As part of her service, Jaccom works with clients to best realize how they want the interior of their home to look. By working with colors, fabrics and lighting, Jaccom provides several designs for clients to choose from.

As an interior designer, Jaccom takes care of all design issues. She chooses paints, furniture and lighting fixtures, orders products, sets up deliveries and organizes contracted workers.

Clients can spend as much or as little on a project as they want, Jaccom said. There is an initial design fee, and after that she charges a negotiable hourly rate. There can also be costs associated with any products purchased in the design, like furniture and light fixtures.

“I’m not one of those designers that comes in and says, ‘It has to be this way,’” Jaccom said. “It’s a collaboration between myself and the client.”

To contact Lindsay Jaccom and Lindsay Jay Designs, call 878-5857, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.lindsayjaydesigns.com.