Eiko Okura

Eiko Okura

Interior Designer


I don't think that success is something you reach at one point when you're 88 or 92; it's an everyday, every moment practice.

Videos

By Roadtrip Nation

Eiko Okura

Milestones

My road in life has been direct.
Majored in aesthetics / art philosophy in Japan, but quickly realized her major was not particularly marketable in the job industry.
While she was in this in-between state, she found herself constantly rearranging her furniture to calm her.
Realized that this practice of designing her home was what she wanted to do with her life, went into interior design.
Moved to the U.S. to pursue more design opportunities; got a stroke of luck, found a job right before her visa expired.
Says that deciding to go into interior design was not a "long, philosophical conversation" with herself-her passion was obvious.
Believes most of our interests should be obvious, but we complicate them; once you're grounded, you can "see what emerges."
Says her "North Star" in her designs is her virtue; in her career and her personal life, she tries to do what feels right and honest.
Doesn't believe that you should tune out others' advice, but says you should always put your own voice above the others.
Keep following my journey

Education

High School
Bachelor
Philosophy
Tezukayama Gakuin University, Japan

Career

Interior Designer

I create a place of refuge with timeless beauty and quiet simplicity, using methods of eastern and western healing arts.

Career Roadmap

Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Design
Environment & Nature
Accomplishing Goals

Day to Day

I am an Interior Designer who integrates the ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui into clients’ homes and businesses. My simple and elegant way of creating a special place is based on my life principles – joy, ease, and contentment.

Advice for Getting Started

Here's the first step for everyone

See the challenges and obstacles as a chance to discover who you are. Always remember to be thankful for the gifts ( seen or unseen, seemingly positive or negative ) you are given from your parents, the world and life. Always be kind and respectful to yourself and others. Always speak truth. Always see beauty around you. Always do the right thing. Never give up. You are never alone.

Hurdles

Challenges I Overcame

First-Generation Immigrant

Interviewed By

The Answer is Within You

The Answer is Within You

The road-trippers explore the Experience Music Project in Seattle, where experience designer Andrea Weatherhead advises that the best path toward happiness is getting to know yourself. In Colorado, the team meets interior designer Eiko Okura, who urges them to stop overthinking and see what emerges, and Michael Franti, who advocates for making lots of decisions and seeing what sticks.