Today we’d like to introduce you to Essence Scott Chynesha Hickles.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
2GIRLS1ROOM really started by accident. In 2022, we were designing one of Essence’s Airbnb properties just for fun. It was supposed to be a creative side project, a way to experiment with bold colors, layered textures, and pieces that felt a little unexpected. Once the space was finished, the response was immediate. Guests constantly commented on the design, asked who did it, and wanted to know if we worked with clients.
That momentum carried into the next project when we designed Essence’s mental health offices. Again, the feedback was overwhelming. People weren’t just noticing the spaces, they were feeling them. The environments felt warm, expressive, and different from the typical minimalist look people expect from professional spaces.
From there we designed a second Airbnb that really pushed our style further and started attracting outside attention. That project ended up putting us on the map and people began reaching out about working with us. What started as a hobby between two friends quickly evolved into something bigger.
In 2023 we took our first paid design project, which was the moment we realized this wasn’t just a passion anymore. It was a business. Today, 2GIRLS1ROOM is about creating spaces that feel bold, layered, and deeply personal. Our goal is always to design rooms that make people stop for a second, look around, and feel something.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been figuring out exactly where we fit in the design world. Our aesthetic is pretty distinct, and early on we realized that what we create doesn’t always fall neatly into one category. That meant we spent some time experimenting, refining our voice, and figuring out how to communicate what we do in a way that made sense to clients while still staying true to our style.
Another challenge has honestly been confidence. We’re both self-taught and didn’t come from traditional interior design backgrounds, so there were moments where we questioned whether we were “qualified” enough to be doing this. When you’re building something creative from the ground up, self-doubt can definitely creep in.
But over time we’ve realized that being self-taught is actually one of our strengths. It allowed us to approach design without rigid rules and develop a style that feels authentic to us. The more projects we completed and the more feedback we received from guests and clients, the more we started trusting our instincts. Now we see those early doubts as part of the process that helped shape our voice and our confidence as designers.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At our core, we are interior decorators who specialize in bold, highly styled spaces that feel layered, expressive, and memorable. Styling is really where we shine. We approach every project with the mindset that a room should feel like it has personality, not just furniture placed neatly inside of it.
While many people first discovered our work through residential spaces and Airbnb properties, our focus isn’t limited to homes. We love designing environments across different industries, including salons, barbershops, offices, and other commercial spaces. Our goal is always the same: to create spaces that feel intentional, immersive, and visually striking.
What truly sets us apart is our aesthetic and our creative flow. Our style is very distinct and doesn’t follow a rigid formula. We mix textures, colors, statement pieces, and unexpected elements in ways that make a space feel curated rather than staged. A lot of our work happens organically, where we build a room piece by piece until it tells a story.
One of the projects we’re most proud of is a recent Airbnb we designed that ended up gaining a lot of attention online. The space resonated with people in a way we didn’t fully expect and ended up circulating on Reddit with tens of thousands of views and comments discussing the design. Moments like that remind us that great design isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s about creating spaces that people genuinely connect with.
Ultimately, what we’re known for is creating rooms that stand out. We’re not trying to replicate trends or produce cookie-cutter interiors. Every project we touch is meant to feel bold, distinctive, and completely its own.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
We honestly think risk-taking is a requirement for being a creative. When you’re designing something from scratch, there’s always a moment where you have to trust your instincts even if you can’t fully see the final result yet. For us, risk is really about faith in the process. You try ideas, combine pieces that may not seem obvious together, and trust that the vision will come together in the end.
Some of our favorite design moments have come from taking those creative risks. There have been times where we’ve introduced a bold color, an unexpected texture, or a statement piece that initially felt like a gamble, but ended up being the element that made the entire room work. Sometimes a project needs that moment of courage to push it from “nice” to something that really stands out.
One project that felt especially risky was designing a group home. It challenged us to think beyond aesthetics and consider the lived experience of the residents as well as the expectations of the owners. We were working in very personal spaces with adults who all had different personalities and preferences, so we had to balance comfort, function, and respect for their environment while still creating a cohesive design. That experience pushed us creatively and professionally.
Even outside of design choices, risk shows up in smaller ways throughout our work. Sometimes that means collaborating with new contractors or handymen we haven’t worked with before, trusting that the right team will come together to execute the vision. In many ways, our entire journey with 2GIRLS1ROOM has been built on taking those leaps of faith and trusting that if we stay true to our creative voice, the outcome will be worth it.
Pricing:
- Room Styling & Decorating: Starting around $800–$2,500 per room depending on the size of the space, complexity of the design, and sourcing requirements.
- Short-Term Rental (Airbnb) Design: Packages typically range from $2,500–$8,000+ depending on the size of the property, number of rooms, and level of furnishing and styling required.
- Commercial Spaces (salons, barbershops, offices, etc.): Custom pricing based on the scope of the project. Most commercial projects begin around $3,000 and scale depending on layout planning, sourcing, and installation.
- Full-Service Design & Styling Projects: Custom proposals are created for each client based on project scope, timeline, and sourcing needs.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.2girls1room.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2girls_1room
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2girls1roomrva
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@2Girls_1Room
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@2girls_1room
