Don’t ask Helen Bailey about Plan B, she doesn’t do Plan B. "I go cold turkey", said Bailey. "Plan B distracts me from fully realizing Plan A." Bailey dreams big and after eight years of consistently working her Plan A, she’s a walking testimony that your dreams are worthwhile ventures to undertake.

Bailey is a self-taught interior designer and event planner whose goal is to bring the family back together by incorporating beautiful and comfortable décor in the home. With the first successful season of her Chicago-based television show - "Urban Livin’" BETJ - under her belt, the second season underway and plans for a new publication on the horizon, Bailey is poised to continue realizing her Plan A of creating an empire.

ICC: How did you get your start in interior design?

Bailey: I once owned a hair salon on Oak Street. The shop allowed me to make a living, it wasn’t a passion. After my mom passed away I decided it was time to find more meaning in my life. My first decision was to sit and be still. I researched my own life starting with what I liked to do when I was a child. At the age of 5 years old I showed interest in decorating. I’ve always lived in the city and growing up our backdoor was in the kitchen. Our back porch was enclosed. I felt that the porch should match the yellow kitchen. Even before sponge painting was popular I got the idea to use a kitchen sponge to paint the walls of the back porch. [Laughing] My mother tore me up when she got home, but at least the porch matched the kitchen.

In the sixth grade my class traveled to Washington DC where we got a chance to visit the White House. Unlike other kids who were in awe at just being inside the White House, I was busy walking around pointing out what needed to be changed, like the chandelier in the dining room didn’t match the tableware. These instances helped me realize the talent of decorating came out in childhood.

I knew a little about design, having always decorated my salon and home. I took a couple classes but I didn’t enjoy them. One instructor told me either you have it or you don’t. I knew I wanted to help African American families get back home by enhancing the living space; making it warm and comfortable.

One day I stood in Barnes & Noble and saw the magazines Southern Living, Country Living, Martha Stewart Living, but I didn’t see urban living. I ran home that day because it all came together that Urban Livin’ Home should be the name of my company. Eight or nine years ago it would have been taboo to name something urban. However, I believe that you should start in your own backyard and other ethnic groups will follow. Now people name everything urban.

ICC: Talk about some of the struggles you’ve encountered on your path to success.

Bailey: My family and friends said I was crazy. They said I needed to get a job, adding that the Post Office was hiring. You have to ask yourself what are you willing to do. I didn’t know how I was going to pay my bills, but I did know that I had to push forward with my ideas.

At first I did second guess myself. I found a sales job at a hotel.I didn’t like the control so after three weeks I quit. If the job had been too easy I would have put all my energy into Plan B. But God made it difficult for me to deal with a regular corporate job. I felt like I was cheating myself.

I started taking on design jobs one at a time but that wasn’t enough.  I bugged producers at ABC, NBC and WGCI to let me on the air to discuss decorating ideas in order to build a resume’. You have to put in the work to get rewarded. In time I pitched my show idea to BETJ where the idea was eventually accepted.

I prayed that if I made a dollar within five years of working Urban Livin’ then I’d hang on for the sixth year. [Laughing] I should have asked for a larger dollar amount because it has been a struggle, but one that is paying off. You have to invest money back into your company, but to see a contract or a check with your company’s name on it is amazing; you see the hard work paying off.

At the end of the day when all is said and done, we’re all just a story. I want my story to encourage people to live out their dreams.

ICC: How did you move from interior decorating for individuals to publishing your own magazine?

Bailey: Actually, Urban Livin’ Home was a magazine that I started only to learn about the publishing industry. There aren’t a lot of people out there willing to answer questions. Instead of waiting around for someone to help me do things, I decided to do things on my own. I believe mistakes are lessons. I started the magazine to learn about editorial, advertising and anything dealing with running a successful magazine. Urban Livin’ Home was a vehicle to my next magazine which will complement my television show. The magazine will be based in Chicago and will appear on newsstands nationwide some time in ‘09.

ICC: Talk a little about your television show. Where and when can folks check you out?

Bailey: I’m in the middle of taping the second season of "Urban Livin’" for BETJ, which airs Wednesday at 8p.m. The show also airs  in the UK. The show is based in Chicago and provides design ideas for city dwellers. We’ve taped shows all around Chicago like 63rd and 67th Streets; in the Woodlawn neighborhood and far North side. It’s fun when you touch someone’s life by giving a little extra. I took it for granted that everyone set the dining room table or hung drapes, but that’s not true of everyone. I believe you should make your home a haven. You should take time and think outside the box to do what makes you feel comfortable. You can go to BETJ.com to learn more about the show and follow the designs we create for everyday people.

ICC: What are some of the inspirations for your design?

Bailey: I believe in past lives and I believe I either lived in England or the South of France; I love old stuff and French-oriented things. I’ve always loved antique stores and thrift stores, jazz music from Ella Fitzgerald - even as a child. So because of those things I love to mix old with new. I cannot imagine living in a totally new home, totally modern because I would feel like a robot. I love to live in a contemporary home where I incorporate antiques, rich fabrics and drapes. In fact, On BETJ we design a lot of rooms where we mix antiques and used items from thrift stores with new, modern pieces.

ICC: Give a couple tips on decorating on a budget and decorating for the season.

Bailey: I always say use what you have. You can bring things from one room and use it in another. To the second room the item is new. Swap out pillows and fabrics. Use items family members pass down and family photos to dress up your home. For instance, I went to the thrift store and found a little glass bowl. I filled the bowl with dried flowers and a little oil and placed it on the sofa table and only paid $15. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a comfortable home.

Decorating for the season is practically the same. Use what you have available. I try to make sure to have a simple color on the wall to enable me to move furniture and easily add accent color. We’re going into Fall and you want to add warm colors such as orange and/or rust. Add pillows in those colors, include pumpkin scented candles. Using the same furniture, simply change out pillows and add fabrics by tying the pillow with ribbon. Change again for Christmas by adding reds and cinnamon-scented candles. You can use a nice sweater on the sofa as a throw. In Spring, you want to incorporate bright colors into your home. You can fold back your comforter and put on crisp, white sheets; change pillows and add candles. I also recommend recycling when decorating on a budget.

I’m a city girl and love to decorate with urban flare. I’ve learned that you ca
n have glam by including bling in the décor without using a lot of money. With thrift stores, Wal-Mart and Target you can add bling to your life without spending glam money.

ICC: I once read every woman should have a signature color and scent. If there’s one, what would be your signature  design that people would immediately associate with Helen Bailey?

Bailey: I always use chocolate brown, sometimes black, but I always mix chocolate brown with colors like baby blue, pink, or yellow. Sometimes I’ll use black with yellow, red or blue. My favorite color is purple so it would not be unusual for me to use purple with chocolate brown. The only rule is don’t limit yourself because you miss out on a lot when you’re not open to think outside the structure. Paint is the key thing to change in your home. For me, I love lavender and gardenia scents. If my home doesn’t have candles and flowers I feel like I can’t breath.

ICC: You live and work in Chicago, what do you enjoy doing and/or seeing in Chicago?

Bailey: I like how I feel in the city. I live downtown so I wake up to the sound of construction. Some people think the sound would be irritating, but the sound of construction inspires me to think bigger. The buildings coming up in my neighborhood inspires me to someday live in one.

I also love looking out at the skyline; I love the city’s rich history; and I love that people strive to help each other. Chicago is something of a hidden secret.