How did you end up in the design industry?
Right out of college, I worked for a to-the-trade original art and reproductions company doing their marketing, PR, and communications. Their wives had an interior design business, which I also worked for doing their marketing. Little did they know, it was my dream to be a designer. I worked with interior designers and attended High Point Market on and off for six to seven years (on the vendor side) before finally taking the leap and starting my own business. It was a complete restart for me, and I wouldn’t change it for the world!
What does your team look like?
I’m a one-man show (for now), but I do have a bookkeeper/accountant and I leverage amazing contractors for 3D drawings as needed.
Tell us about the project you're sharing.
This project is near and dear to my heart. I met the client when they first began renovating their home and consulted with the remodeling company to assist with finishes. When the remodel was close to complete, they reached back out so we could overhaul their home office, which had been acting as their primary bedroom during construction. Some of the core design styles and influences are English country, Ralph Lauren, and transitional. Throughout the office design process, we slowly expanded the scope to include the primary bedroom.
What was involved in this project?
Originally we were just working on the furnishing and decorating of the home office. As we continued to work on that room we brought in the primary bedroom. And since photographing those two rooms, we’ve moved on to the nursery, dining room, and guest powder bathroom!
What's something you were really excited about creating for this project?
This client really embraced the design process, which made for a beautiful outcome. The standout elements in the design are really the color-drenching and wallpapering the ceiling in the home office. The primary bedroom wouldn’t feel complete without the unique fabric on the lumbar pillow and the antique secretary desk.
What was your biggest learning from this project?
I’m a very kind person, and sometimes too accommodating, so this project taught me grit and courage. I had some hiccups with vendors that were completely out of my control; for example, a bench that took six months to arrive instead of four. Or when a drapery workroom let us down, I had to stand up for my clients so we could create the best possible experience and results. Lesson learned: always have backup vendors.
Is there a tool, tip, or business resource from Hot Young Designers Club that you use in your business?
Yes, I used most of my HYDC resources throughout this project – the Investment Guide, Client Welcome Guide and the Furnishing Budget Calculator.
Thank you Holly Baker for sharing more about your business and sharing this beautiful home with us! You can visit Holly Baker Studio on their website or Instagram.
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Photography: Marc Edwards, @mephotographs and Jessica N. Solis, @jessican.solis
