Inside Ingenium Interiors
- Erin Gaffney
- Jan 13, 2017
- 3 min read
Born and raised in South Eastern Idaho, I grew up with a mom that loved to buy a home, fix it up, and then find a new challenge. It was a lot of fun knocking out walls, choosing wallpaper, decorating our rooms, etc. My mom instilled in me a love and eye for design from a very young age.

My first brown trout on the Henry's Fork, right after a client meeting
Not the traditional fishing attire!
I couldn't wait to leave Idaho and see what else was out there; I wanted to live in a big city...... discover cultures, museums, hotels, restaurants, everything! I also wanted to flee the snow—first stop, Honolulu, HI.
Living in Hawaii was incredible. Obviously the weather was divine, but I also had my first experiences with luxury interiors and amazing food. I secured a serving position at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hotel, and then began looking into college courses.
The hotel was so grand—the entrance, tea room, restaurants, suites, boutique stores, spa, grounds—all of it, absolutely breathtaking! I worked on the beach and poolside, forgoing college for the time being because I loved my job. Soon, however, it became time to get serious and give college a try.
I moved to Portland, OR and started on my path to a degree in Interior Design. I loved Portland instantly. The people, the diversity and college all were exactly what I was after. School was extremely challenging but I loved it. The atmosphere was such fun and so inspiring!

Lobby/Receiving area at Ai The Art Institute of Portland in Portland, OR
I spent 6 years in Portland but a series of events moved me around a bit and eventually I ended up back in Idaho.
Over the last 12 years since graduation, I have worked in the interior design industry in one capacity or another. I've done custom cabinetry design for kitchens and closets, headed up product development, and managed a successful furniture and design store. Meanwhile I was also building my current business, working on new home construction as well as re-models.

Current New Construction Project in Teton Springs - Victor, ID
But the question remains: How did I circle back to Idaho?
Having spent a year on a new home construction project in Salt Lake City, UT, I had a short break from work. So I took a month to return to my childhood cabin in Island Park, ID to relax and enjoy the beautiful fall weather and hiking.
Grand plans to return to Portland were quickly changed the night I met a fly-fisherman. Had anyone told me I would end up back in Idaho, and that I would have met my husband in the tiny town of Island Park, I would have laughed in their face—yet here I am!
Today my husband and I, together with our 2 daughters, split our time between Victor and Island Park, ID. He is a fly fishing and snowmobiling guide and I continue to stay busy with new projects, raising a 5 and 7 year old, and volunteering as a commissioner and treasurer for the Victor Urban Renewal Agency. Many of my projects include residential design for second home owners who have fallen in love with all the beauty and outdoor recreation Idaho has to offer.

The loves of my life at our cabin in Island Park, ID.
Enjoying a gorgeous summer night.
While, once upon a time, I would have been fine never returning to Idaho, I am now grateful and thankful for my life here. The daily beauty and wonderful community is all I could ask for in a place to raise my children and call home!
#Idaho #Portland #Hawaii #luxuryinteriors #interiordesign #college #newhomeconstruction #remodel #TetonSprings #IslandPark #family #flyfishing #snowmobiling #volunteering #urbanrenewal #residentialdesign #thegreatoutdoors #outdoorrecreation #ArtInstituteofPortland #Honolulu #KahalaMandarinOrientalHotel













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