Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Coolbaugh.
Susan, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have been painting decorative finishes on homes for the past 15 years and am accredited in several faux finishing schools across the metroplex and country. I started experimenting new techniques on my walls and when I didn’t have any more blank canvases, I decided it was time to start a career doing what I love. I can help clients choose the right colors for their living spaces and change boring walls into works of art. I have several custom home builders that rely solely on my creative expertise to complement their architecture and accent their models. I have participated in the Kaleidoscope of Homes in 2007 and the Parade of Homes in Frisco, Texas. Several years ago, I had the honor to be a part of Extreme Makeover Home Edition in East Texas and was featured in Faux Effects Magazine in 2009. Not only do we enjoy the challenge of new construction, but welcome any room makeover of any size.
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?
I would say that it’s been a smooth road as long as I continue to educate myself on current trends and continue to update my portfolio. When the housing market took a decline, I noticed that our Custom Home Builders were starting to cut back on the amount of specialty finishes they wanted to incorporate into their homes which made me have to switch gears and work solely with the homeowner or the designer/decorator exclusively. I love being a part of the process with the homeowner and feel a lot of pride when they refer me to their friends and family!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My company is named Cool Concepts derived from my last name “COOL” baugh. I specialize in high end finishes such as venetian plaster, Lusterstone, animal skin replicas, cabinets distressed and antiqued, foils and metallics, and can help designers on a budget duplicate any wallpaper finish to meet the clients’ needs and budgets. I like the fact that I have started my company on no marketing, but have been successful just by referrals from my satisfied clientele for over 15 years. I branched out in 2011 and began decorating clients’ homes for the holidays. It’s a nice change from painting and I can take my creative talents and not transform walls, but deck the halls. I love the process from either decorating with the clients’ personal decorations, or starting from scratch and going to various locations to buy the perfect ornaments and greenery to make their holidays complete. I pride myself on working within every person’s budget and I feel that my honesty, my integrity, and my love for my job sets me apart from anyone else in the area.
What were you like growing up?
I was raised by a single mom with four kids and she worked four jobs to keep us together. I guess the term used today is “latch” key kid and at the time I didn’t realize the hardships and struggles we faced until I started school and saw that we may not have been as well off as our classmates, but I learned that hard work and dedication and that God will provide all our necessities. I was a happy child, but I had a lot of insecurities and was somewhat quiet, which could be a positive when dealing with clients, or a negative because I don’t encourage any client to spend any more than necessary. I was taught respect and to always tell the truth and I still live by that today.
My interests were probably put on a back burner because I started working at 14 and graduated from UT Austin with a BS in Education. I taught one year before marrying my college sweetheart in 1991. I have since followed his career in MLB from player to coach and I believe we are each other’s biggest fans!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.coolconcepts.shutterfly.com
- Phone: 817-521-8604
- Email: sstccool@aol.com
- Facebook: cool concepts unfauxgettable homes
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
