Tawna Allred is the CEO and principal interior designer of Tawna Allred Interiors, a complete design service from Wyoming. Tawna has a passion for rustic, romantic yet practical spaces. She is certified nationally with the C.I.D., having been trained at Penn Foster and the New York Institute of Art & Design. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in oil painting from Brigham Young University Idaho. So we are proud to bring you the Designer Insights of Tawna Allred.
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1) In your own words describe your unique style and creative aesthetic?
I am the Principal of Tawna Allred Interiors. I call my style rustic romance. I love mixing the rough and the refined. I infuse modern elements into my work to keep it clean and peaceful. I have a love for farmhouses. I dream of designing one in the English countryside or French Alps one day.
2) When starting a new project, what is your creative process?
Through several meetings I watch for that "thing" that makes my clients' eyes light up. It could be a tangible item or simply an idea. I'll also consider the boundaries the client has set. We'll build the design from there.
3) Out of the creative people you have worked with, who is it that you respect and admire the most?
I am a classically trained oil painter as well as an interior decorator. Leon Parson, one of my painting professors in college, is a creative I respect greatly. He is a master of classic drawing, painting, and use of light. I am inspired by tradesmen, especially those that work with wood and create custom cabinetry. They are artists themselves. When I draw a cabinet on a piece of paper and they make it become a reality, it never stops amazing me.
4) When looking for inspiration is there a particular thing you do to get inspired?
I let intuition lead. I mull the project around in my mind. I run the trails in the mountains where I live. I am greatly influenced by nature. I also sleep on my ideas. When I allow the project to unfold organically, inspiration hits me every time (usually at 3 in the morning)! This process has never failed me.
5) What has brought you to this point in your career? And what is your advice for people looking to follow in your footsteps?
A mix of so many things! Passion, hard work and a stubborn character; overflowing creativity and dreaming big. I would not be here today if it weren't for my supportive design network and my husband. Creative businesses are the toughest businesses, so don't try to do it on your own. Find coaches and cheerleaders. Know that there's going to be more tedious tasks than creative thrills, but being your own master is worth it. Above all else, love your clients.
