Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Chiles.
Jessica, before we jump into specific questions about your work, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in Austin, Texas, where my dad owned and operated an architecture firm. His office largely specialized in large-scale apartments and mixed-use projects. Despite his concerns that architecture might stifle my creativity, I pursued the field anyhow. I studied architecture at the University of Texas in Austin. While in architecture school, my dad developed an aggressive form of brain cancer and soon passed away. I was in no position at this time to take over his firm and we sold the company to architects that had worked there for decades. In the end, I was able to pursue work in the type of architecture that I was more interested in: single-family residential architecture. After graduating and relocating to Dallas, I freelanced for a few businesses until 2012. That year, purchasing and renovating my own home would inspire me to open my own studio. Breathing new life into this 1940’s Austin stone cottage unearthed a passion in me for working on older homes, to reshape them to better suit modern lifestyles.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
My dad’s passing in 2007 has, by far, been the biggest struggle for both life and career. Not only had our family as we knew it been wholly shaken, but at the time, I also felt I had lost my mentor and the person who I always imagined would help foster my development as an architect. Finishing architecture school after losing my dad was a real challenge.
When I graduated in May of 2009, jobs in architecture were incredibly limited. Construction had nearly ceased for homes and hospitality businesses, anything that extended beyond basic necessities. Boutique architecture firms, that worked on the types of projects I was interested in, had stalled or were not hiring during the recession. I ended up finding work employing my skills in web and graphic design until the residential architecture climate improved. Ultimately, I am incredibly grateful for what these chapters taught me, and I am confident I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.
Tell us more about your work.
I started THCKT in 2012 after buying a 1940’s Austin stone cottage. It had never been renovated before and it had been vacant for three years. Still, it had beautiful bones- original oak floors, a solid foundation, solid wood doors and an incredible amount of natural light. I modified the floor plan in a significant way but kept a lot of the original character of the home. I incorporated my Scandinavian aesthetic and a more open concept, arriving at a final product that is eclectic but well-suited to mine and my husband’s lifestyles. We are wrapping up a second renovation on the home that involved a small addition and incorporated more storage throughout the house.
The original project inspired me to continue this type of work and since that time, I have worked mostly on homes throughout Texas that were built before 1980. There have been a few new construction designs and additions, but most of my work has involved this type of renovation- taking something old and making it serve modern needs and aesthetics. I am most proud of my ability to rework a floor plan in a way that creates space where it is lacking and that opens up sightlines. My work celebrates the original character of the home while realizing the new potential for space and light, often within the house’s existing footprint.
My design studio is unique in that I am not only producing the designs and drawings for my clients from planning to permit and construction, but I am also involved in the interior design specifications and installs (everything except the furniture). I like to be committed from the very first sketch to being present when they hang the last light fixture. It is my preference to be involved as much as possible in helping to realize the vision from start to finish, and in this way, I can best ensure that the outcome is everything I and my clients hoped for.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Luck plays a major role in both getting clients and, of course, in construction. I have been so fortunate to have had so many word-of-mouth referrals that I never have needed to worry about where the next project will come from. In truth, the hardest part has been saying no when the timing just hasn’t been right. I have been incredibly lucky to have had amazing clients, people who have trusted my vision for their homes. It’s personal what I do and there is a lot of time and money involved. When people put their trust in me, it means a lot and I’m so happy that I’ve met and worked with a variety of great people… and also people with really good taste!
I have encountered some bad luck in construction, which is always a possibility. In this business, especially at a time that the construction industry is so busy, the quality of contractors and vendors is very hit and miss. Fortunately, with every challenge comes an opportunity to learn, and I have learned to ask my clients to vet their contractors thoroughly. I’ve learned what to watch out for, that I can never include too many details and that I can never be too watchful while work is being conducted. I’ve also learned that if my clients find any trade that is truly skilled at what they do, never to take that person for granted!
Contact Info:
- Address: 1227 Walter Dr, Dallas, TX 75211
- Website: thckt.com
- Email: jessica@thckt.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thckt/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thcktstudio
Image Credit:
Jessica Chiles
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