Home Decor Interview:

Creede Fitch from "Grassrootsmodern"

1.  Hi Creede, thanks for joining us today. Please take this opportunity to briefly tell us about yourself, Grassrootsmodern, and anything else you’d like to mention.

I suppose I have always been into furniture and design. My mom used to joke about how she had the only 12 year old that was asking for furniture for Christmas. It's that passion that ultimately lead me to start Grassrootsmodern. I was just so excited about design I wanted to share it with the world. Recently that excitement has lead me to get even more hands on with my latest project Modern Union. It's a brand new Salt Lake City based company that is making custom modern furniture and cabinetry.

 

2.  What I like about Grassrootsmodern is that unlike most contemporary design blogs, you always have affordability in mind. What it is it in particular that draws you to the mid-century style?

Affordability was a big deal for me when I started Grassrootsmodern, mostly because I was broke at the time. Growing up my family was never wealthy, so I spent a lot of time at garage sales and second hand stores. I think that's when my love for mid century design was born. The more I learned about it, the more I connected with it on a philosophical level. The 50's and 60's were a very idealistic time period from a design aspect. People really believed that good design could change lives. Because of that there was much more of a focus on usability and affordability.


3.  We’re sorry to hear about your recent divorce, which necessitated the move from your beloved home in Salt Lake City. Please tell us a bit about your new place. Have you done extensive work on it yet, or are you waiting until you find something bigger and/or more permanent?

Sometimes it's good to shake things up a bit and have a clean slate. I'm currently living in a 850 sq/ft loft in downtown Salt Lake. It's a nice space, and I love living downtown, but ultimately I am looking to get back into a home. In fact I just bought a $50,000 tear down in a neighborhood downtown and I have plans to build a small modern home on the lot. If all goes well I should start building this fall. In many ways I've sort of gone full circle. I started the blog when I was broke and trying to build my first home, and now I'm broke again and trying to build a modern home. It's familiar ground and it feels good to have a new start.


4.  You’re an experienced do-it-yourselfer, and readers of Grassrootsmodern have enjoyed reading your posts about your multiple projects over the years. Doing it yourself definitely saves money, but with two lively children (Arri and Elouise) and a demanding job, how do you find time to work on all of the projects you’ve done and continue to do?

It's not easy, but I honestly believe that anyone can do it. It just depends on how bad you want it.


5.  Many of our readers would love to do their own projects themselves. Where would you say you learned all these skills from? Did you grow up having a knack for that kind of work, or did you take any classes?

Growing up I had a handy father and step father. I was lucky to work with them on a lot of projects. Mostly though it's all about attitude. For better or worse I am not afraid to try anything. Sometimes I end up over my head, but most of the time I'm able to get it all figured out. The internet is an amazing resource. With a little searching you can figure out how to do just about anything.


6.  You put a lot of time, money, and effort into your previous home. Part of you must think about how the new owners are treating the kitchen and remodeled rooms. Do you keep in contact with the new owners, and do you ever wonder if they are getting enjoyment out of all the work you put into the home?
 

I have been in contact with the new owner. He's a great guy and very into 50's design. I know he has big plans for the place and in many ways he will be picking up where I left off.

7.  You participated in something called the Ford Fiesta Movement, which was part of a promotion by Ford to promote their cars via social media. Have you completed this, or is it still ongoing? And how has the experience been for you overall?

The fiesta movement ended a few years ago. It was a great opportunity to get engaged with social media on a national level. I'm really a european car guy, but after that experience I have a lot of respect for Ford.


8.  Creede, thanks again for taking the time to talk to us today. We know it has been quite a roller coaster for you this past year, and we commend you for how you’ve handled yourself through it all. For this last question, please briefly tell us about any special DIY project(s) you have planned for this year that you’re looking forward to. We appreciate your time and wish you luck with Grassrootsmodern and encourage all our readers to go check it out.

As I mentioned before the two big focuses this year are building a new home, and my new company Modern Union. Modern Union has already competed one kitchen this year, and my partner and myself are just finishing up our second. We also are working on a new chair design in conjunction with Larimer + Bernheim and their "Free" competition.
 

We want to thank Creede very much for taking the time to talk with us, and we wish him great success with both Grassrootsmodern and Modern Union.  Please check out both sites today.  Thanks Creede!