Episode Overview

Title: From ICU to Interiors: The Nurse Designing Bold Homes
Podcast: Next On Scene: The Human Behind The Brand
Host: Jaclyn Zukerman Delory
Guest: Eunice Wetkesser – Interior Designer, Nurse, and Mom
Date: November 26, 2025

This episode of Next On Scene features a candid conversation with Eunice Wetkesser, a multifaceted professional who balances a career in nursing, her business as an edgy interior designer, and motherhood to two boys. Host Jaclyn Zukerman Delory digs into Eunice’s journey from the ICU to designing daring, personality-filled homes, how she developed her brand “Crown the Cool,” and how embracing visibility means being unafraid to be your most authentic self.

Key Discussion Points

The Psychology and Power of Fashion

• [01:13] Black as a Power Color:
  Eunice and Jaclyn discuss their clothing choices—both in black—and the psychological comfort and confidence black brings.
  • Eunice: “For me, I feel most powerful in black. I love designing with black. Black is my neutral... makes me feel confident.” [01:30]

Genesis of “Crown the Cool”

• [02:19] Birth of the Brand:
  Eunice shares how her company emerged from a desire to break tradition and celebrate her clients rather than herself.
  • Eunice: “I wanted to make it known that my clients are the cool ones. Everybody deserves a moment, no matter what that moment is.” [02:21]

Journey From Nursing to Design

• [03:11] Nursing Roots, Creative Aspirations:
  Eunice recounts her upbringing, where traditional careers were encouraged over creative ones, and how designing her own space during the COVID ICU days became an essential escape.
  • Eunice: “[Design] was really just an escape for me, a moment in time that I could have some solace in this crazy time of our lives... I was in the ICU treating patients.” [03:45]
• [05:23] Nursing as a Calling:
  She discusses how the empathic and human-facing side of nursing shaped her attitude toward embracing boldness.
  • Eunice: “I’ve held so many strangers’ hands as they’re dying... it gave me that mentality: if they can’t [live fully] because they’re so sick, and I can, why aren’t I doing this?” [06:03]

Balance, Authenticity & Dealing with Overwhelm

• [07:27] Balancing Two Careers and Motherhood:
  Eunice admits the chaos of juggling two demanding jobs and parenting.
  • Eunice: “Am I amazing at all of them? No, but I do a good job... You can’t do so many things and be amazing at all—something always takes a hit.” [07:27]
  • Eunice on staying present: “If I think about all the shit I have to do, because I have so much shit to do, I will never be able to get out of bed.” [08:03]

Breaking Into the Design Industry & Building Community

• [08:37] The IFDA Story:
  Eunice explains how joining the International Furnishings and Design Association changed her professional trajectory.
  • Eunice: “Nobody would give me the time of day... but when I went to an IFDA event, and was just myself, people saw my fire... Now, I want to make others feel the opposite of what I felt.” [08:41]
  • Eunice: “There’s room for everybody... If you’re kind and you give [someone] an opportunity, the universe gives that back to you.” [10:50]

Parenting Children on the Spectrum

• [11:32] Motherhood & Advocacy:
  Eunice opens up about the challenges and perspective shifts parenting two children on the autism spectrum brings.
  • Eunice: “Being a mom is the hardest job ever, and then throwing in kids with disabilities is 50 times harder. I live my day hour by hour... I want to focus on all the good things, everything that brings them joy.” [11:52]
  • Eunice: “You just have to think, what their differences are is what makes them special.” [14:14]

Defining Boldness, Visibility & Confidence

• [14:38] Being Bold & Authentic:
  Jaclyn: “The bold things you do are huge statements: you can be bold, it’s safe to be bold, and like yourself.” [14:38]
  • Eunice: “You got one life to live.” [14:46]

Fun Segment: The Red Carpet Song Challenge

• [14:56] Song Choices for the Red Carpet:
  Eunice lists her pump-up tracks: “The Greatest” by Sia, “Juicy” by Notorious B.I.G., and “Bossy” by Kelis.
  • On her favorite: “Every time I have a big meeting or I worked out hard, I play that song [Bossy]... I am the motherfucking boss.” [15:21]

Dream Client & Inspiration

• [15:39] Dream Project:
  Jaclyn: “If you could design anyone’s home, who would it be?”
  • Eunice: “I would love to design Sia’s house. She’s artistic, out there, and magnetic.” [15:44]

Mantras & Legacy

• [16:07] Confidence Boosts:
  Eunice: “I just give myself good intentions... You are worthy, you are the star, you are articulate, you have a passion. You are the divine goddess. If you don’t say it, no one else will.” [16:12]
• [16:37] How She Wants to Be Remembered:
  Eunice: “Kindness, creativity, and beauty.” [16:42]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On escaping burnout during COVID:

  • “I was in the ICU treating patients... I thought, why can’t I do this [design] all the time? I was in the depths of this stressful situation and I was like, you know what? Fuck it, I’m going to get that crazy wallpaper!” – Eunice [04:07]

• On overcoming industry barriers:

  • “Nobody gave me the time of day… I want to make others feel the opposite of what I felt.” – Eunice [10:05]

• On visibility and self-worth:

  • “If you don’t say it, no one else will.” – Eunice [16:20]

• On raising children with disabilities:

  • “If you want to be the CEO of this huge company… or if you want to work at Market Basket and bag groceries—if that makes you happy, I’m all Gucci about that.” – Eunice [13:48]

• Empowering clarity on living authentically:

  • “Life isn’t meant to be easy… What their differences are is what makes them special.” – Eunice [12:31, 14:14]

Important Timestamps

• [01:13] - Power of black in fashion and design
• [02:19] - Origin story of "Crown the Cool"
• [03:11] - Transition from nursing to interior design
• [05:23] - The emotional labor and impact of nursing
• [07:27] - A day in the life: balancing two careers and motherhood
• [08:41] - Breaking into the design industry, IFDA journey
• [11:32] - Parenting boys on the autism spectrum
• [14:56] - The “Red Carpet” pump-up song game
• [15:39] - Dream client: designing for Sia
• [16:07] - Confidence mantras and self-talk
• [16:37] - Defining her legacy in one sentence

Follow & Connect

• Eunice’s Instagram: @crownthecoolstudios
• Website: www.crownthecool.com

Takeaways

This episode highlights the resilience and authenticity behind building a bold legacy. Eunice’s story is an inspiring reminder that embracing what sets us apart—whether in business, artistry, or parenting—is essential to making real impact. Her journey from “burnout in the ICU to audacious wallpapers” is a love letter to all those seeking courage in the messy middle. As Jaclyn says, “The right person will never miss you.”