Today we’d like to introduce you to Wendy McLaughlin Speni.
Wendy, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Since I was a little girl, I remember my mom letting my sister and I flip through catalogs and get to pick what we wanted to re-decorate our rooms. I took this insanely seriously, over thinking every detail, hanging draperies and picturing how the end result would look. From there, my love for more information, art and design, in every aspect, only grew. I knew I wanted to major in interior design in college and got my degree from Texas Tech in 2004. I did my internship with a firm in Fort Worth and started working there right after graduation. I branched off with another firm where my boss indeed became a dear friend and mentor. In 2007 I opened a store & studio with a friend…. After the market crashed, we closed and parted ways and I have owned my own company since 2010. I got married in 2016 and we moved out of Dallas and back to my home town of Fort Worth, where we are raising our one year old daughter.
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?
Interior design in itself is a crazy-busy, detail oriented, time consuming job… Let alone owning your own firm and filling the role of several titles at the same time. I personally learn the best when I am hands on and thrown in, lol, and that’s just what I did. Sure, there have been bumps, but on top of having amazing clients, the amount of knowledge and experience I have gained has all been immensely worth it…
Wendy McLaughlin Interiors – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My company specializes in high-end, residential interior design. This covers everything from new construction (finish selections, lighting, interior architecture and finish out) to remodels or even just a home or room update.
My personal style is pretty classic… I love clean lines with nods toward French details and modern finishes. With that being said, I think it’s really important to add that I design for my clients. I get into their head and learn their style and design for them. It’s so imperative to know your client and be able to create ANY style, in the best way appropriate, all while avoiding trends and anything that will scream in ten years. A home should have warmth and reflect your client.
I have had some of my clients since I was literally 23 years old and I LOVE that! I definitely become friends with many of my clients and I pride myself on that. I believe interior design is so personal; I am literally making someone’s space what they envision for their home and their family. That is a level of trust I do not take for granted. I like to know what they love, where their art is from, if their husband loves hunting, what pieces would make them get butterflies when I am out shopping, their children’s names for monograms… And I do.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Wow, that is a tough question. I think just having happy clients, in general, is something that makes me proud. I am extremely grateful to have repeat clients and hear that someone referred me; I rely on that, truly.
Contact Info:
- Website: Wendymclaughlininteriors.com
- Phone: 817-881-0548
- Email: Wendyminteriors@gmail.com
- Instagram: wendy_m_interiors
- Facebook: Wendy McLaughlin Interiors @wendyminteriors
Image Credit:
Wendy McLaughlin Interiors
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