Today we’d like to introduce you to Tarin Wallace.
Hi Tarin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have grown up watching my parents design, build and remodel our homes. It seemed like there was always a project in the works. It was just a part of life to be picking out tile, paint colors or thinking about how moving this wall or that doorway could transform a room. When I got out of school and started working, I always felt like something was missing and I filled that void with projects of my own. I was always moving and decorating or remodeling new spaces. Until I met my husband Brad, I never lived anywhere longer than two years. I am sure he is glad the constant moving has stopped. We completely remodeled our home and it was at that point my husband got to see my love for design and construction. Brad encouraged me to take a chance at making a career of design. It definitely took me a little bit of time to get the courage to take the leap of faith, but it was so worth it.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like anything new, there were learning curves. I had to do a lot of figuring out and a lot of research. I had to go out and find contractors and vendors that I trusted and who did quality work. There have also been several times when I came up with a design and then had the “oh shit” moment of “now I have to figure out how to make it happen”. The thing I have learned along the way has been learning to manage the relationship with my clients. I have learned that managing expectations properly is a huge deal and each client’s expectation is different.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I love to do things a little bit different, always. I was working on a project a few years ago and my client, Hannah Hancock, is an artist. The house had super tall ceilings and the great room was all white, almost like a surgical theater. I had to come up with something to bring the scale down. We decided to use A LOT of black paint. This was before black was a color you used inside your house. My awesome clients trusted me and we went for it! We painted the entire living room ceiling and about a third down the wall black. It turned out so cool and it made their home feel like a great art gallery. All of this is to say I love to do things a little bit risky. Fun wallpaper on the ceiling and pops of color here and there is totally my style. I really enjoy using my art to show the personalities of my client and having fun with people’s homes.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I think it is super important for people to know that when you hire a designer, it is like a trust fall. My client, who is the artist made a comment when I started working on her home. She said, “I do not want to control your process; I know what it is like when people try to control my art, and it never turns out the way you had hoped it would.” That statement really resonated with me because it was so true. Designers are artists and we all see spaces differently. We put colors and patterns together differently and I think that is the coolest thing to see. If you trust the process, you get to see your home come to life with all different materials, colors and patterns. Often times the finished product is prettier than anything you thought possible. So take the trust fall, lean back and let go! Your designer will catch you.
Contact Info:
- Email: tarin@haute-home.com
- Website: https://haute-home.com/
- Instagram: haute_homedesign
- Facebook: @hautehometx
- Twitter: @homehaute
Image Credits
Danette Adelson @danetteadelson is the photographer
