Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Tepper.
Amanda, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always been creative and artistic, with a knack for solving puzzles and thinking outside the box. And I grew up surrounded by residential construction, as my parents built each house we lived in and many spec homes themselves from the ground up.
When I arrived at college, I was still unsure about my academic direction, but I knew I wanted a career that would allow me to build relationships and help others improve the way they live. I initially explored psychology and social work, finally realizing that my unique creative and spatial thinking, paired with my foundation of residential construction knowledge, were a perfect fit for a career in interior design. What better way to help others live their best lives than to literally transform the homes they live in? From my very first introduction to design class, I knew I had found my calling.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelor’s in Interior Design and was eager to go out and make a name for myself – unfortunately, starting a career in interior design in the midst of a housing market crash meant my path would be more winding than I’d anticipated. In those first few years, the job market was tough, but I was sure that interior design was what I was meant to do and I refused to give up. I bounced around a bit, which was frustrating at the time, but looking back, I see it gave me exposure to a lot of different facets of the design industry and helped me find my true niche.
I gained experience in model home design, luxury kitchen cabinetry, custom furniture sales, high-end interiors, A/V and home theater design, and even taught elementary art classes briefly, before I finally joined a design-build remodel firm, working on full scale residential remodel projects. I spent five years there before starting my own business, honing my technical construction knowledge and flexing my creative muscles to design almost 100 remodel projects, ranging from small guest bathrooms to full house renovations. When I went out on my own, I knew residential remodels the projects I was best fit for, and they have been my main focus since.
Amanda Tepper design – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My designs are personal. My first priority on any project is to really get to know my clients and build a relationship with them, so I can fully understand their family’s needs and how their homes could better meet them. My focus is remodeling design, working within an existing space to make it more functional as well as beautiful. I understand structural requirements and am adept at construction and building codes. Still, I also know the furniture layout and finishes, and consider all these things when designing any space, as they are each equally important to the finished project. The result is dynamic interior spaces that are true reflections of the people who live in them.
In addition, my actual design process is a bit unique. I utilize 3D design software, so my clients can see exactly what their new space will look like before construction ever begins. For those who aren’t as visual and might have a hard time picturing a room from a floor plan, this is invaluable. I’ve had clients tell me they have interviewed architects and designers, but couldn’t find anyone else who had such a good understanding of both space planning and aesthetics, so I bring a unique perspective in that sense.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I feel a sense of pride any time a client tells me how much their new homes have changed their lives for the better. Hearing about how their kids are taking an interest in cooking, now that there’s space at the island for them to join, and it’s improved their time together as a family. Or an empty-nester couple with mobility issues, who didn’t want to leave the house they’d raised their children in, but thought they’d have to move until we came up with a more accessible solution that allowed them to stay in the place where all their family memories were made. And definitely, the moment I received my first true referral and starting my own design business went from a dream to reality! I felt reaffirmed that I am doing what I am meant to do – and doing it well – making a positive impact on my clients’ daily lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.amandatepperdesign.com
- Phone: (512) 658-8671
- Email: amanda@amandatepperdesign.com
- Instagram: @amandatepperdesign
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmandaTepperDesign/
- Other: https://www.houzz.com/pro/amandatepper
Image Credit:
Versatile Imaging, Hatfield Builders
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