The following is an interview conducted by Discover Marblehead with Christiana “Iana” Plum, owner of Beach Plum Interiors. Beach Plum Interiors is an interior design company that offers a wide range of services from studio decor to home renovations. Visit beachpluminteriors.com to learn more about the designs we offer.
Please tell us about Beach Plum Interior. Beach Plum Interiors is a premier coastal interior design firm based in Marblehead that specializes in creating spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. With over 30 years of experience, we offer a wide range of services, from one-room decoration and furniture to comprehensive home renovations. Our designs blend timeless aesthetics with the practicalities of coastal living to suit our customers’ unique tastes. Our customer-centered approach, attention to detail, and focus on quality make us the go-to choice for bringing coastal elegance to your home.
: Christina Plumb, pictured with her son Zach, owns Marblehead-based Beech Plumb Interiors. Provided photo
Beach Plum Interiors is more than just a business, it’s my way of life. So I can leave the world better than I found it. There is power in design and I love that sense of responsibility. As a business owner, it never stops. I started Beach Plum 10 years ago to provide a better life for my son and I. Commuting was a huge burden on me and took up valuable time. My son had just started school and I felt extremely guilty for not being present for all the events. As a single parent it was a big leap of faith, but I knew it could change our lives. The community I have created and continue to create is indescribable. We live in a special place where we look out for and support each other. It takes a village. Thank you, Marblehead.
What business advice have you ever received? Do what makes you happy. Happiness is the whole point. Everything else falls into place.
What is your favorite place in Marblehead and why? I spend most of my days in built environments, so I long to be in nature. My favorite place in Marblehead is the harbor. It’s a very picturesque place in any season, but my favorite is summer. I love water and am happiest when I’m near, in, or on water. Paddleboarding in the harbor is my favorite way to start the day. It’s a lot of fun to explore the different coves and sail the trawl. We are happy to be surrounded by such natural beauty. I mean, really, pinch us…we live here.
What would people be surprised to know about you?I have an adventurous spirit and enjoy challenges that make me aware of my limits and edges. Challenges give you an opportunity to expand yourself. Life can change in an instant. Back in 2018, my young son and I became homeless after we sold our marital home as part of our divorce agreement. At the time, my son wasn’t old enough to go to nursery school and I didn’t have any family in my hometown, so I couldn’t work because he needed care. Little did I know that I wouldn’t be able to find another home until I found a job. It was a strange series of events. Thankfully, after six months, we found a home for all of us, including our dog.
This story is not a story about suffering, it is an invitation to me to be courageous. When you’re going through hell…keep going. Those dark times taught me all kinds of possibilities. Since then, I’ve traveled alone across continents, climbed mountains as a lead mountaineer, jumped out of planes, built a thriving business, learned how to navigate townsfolk, and raised a teenage child. I am alive and well today and every day. It’s a choice. As one of my favorite authors wrote, “What are you going to do with your once wild and precious life?”
Business Spotlight is a weekly feature published in partnership with Discover Marblehead. For more information, please visit discovermhd.com.
