I’m obsessed with interior design, frequently in search for the latest design trends or appreciating how art and objects can add zest to a room. In an attempt to learn more about this infatuation with domestic composition, I sat down with former New Yorker and now Los Angeles interior designer Georgia Tapert Howe in the first of a series of interviews I will be doing with some industry insiders and professionals .
Here is what she had to say:
JH: You’ve been in the interior design world for over 15 years now. How have you seen the industry evolve over those years?
GTH: Yes, so much has changed. The biggest thing is that there are so many more direct to consumer products available and there are so many resources now for people who may not want to hire a full service design firm – whether its hiring someone from a place like homepolish.com or using an in-house person at restoration hardware. It was an industry that was sort of shrouded in mystery for a long time and not particularly transparent. In addition, technology has helped make my job so much easier, things like Pinterest have made it much simpler for clients to share ideas.
JH: How have you transformed as a designer from when you first started?
GTH: Honestly, I still like a lot of the same things, but I’ve gotten a little less precious about the process. I’m much better at remembering I don’t have to love everything my client picks – they may not always want everything I suggest and its my job to give them the best version of what they want. I used to be really stubborn about what I thought they should have. And lets be serious we aren’t curing cancer here, its supposed to be fun.
JH: Who is your greatest influence?
GTH: Probably my mom. She wasn’t a designer nor did she use an interior designer but she has great taste and loves interior design. The apartment I grew up in still feels timeless today, I’m always amazed at how good everything looked when I look at old pictures. She did it all herself and it was so chic and pretty.
All images © Copyright Georgia Tapert Howe
JH: How would you say art impacts a home?
GTH: More than anything its has the ability to transform a room. You can walk into a room with beautiful furniture and curtains etc, but it doesn’t feel finished until there is art on the walls.
JH: Who would you say is your ideal client?
GTH: Someone that has taste and likes the process. It’s always more fun when my client brings great ideas to the table.
JH: Any recommendations for where to purchase furniture and decor? Where can DIY-ers find deals or unique items?
GTH: Chairish and Etsy
JH: Any general advice for designing? What are a couple of your do’s and don’t’s?
GTH: The right size and scale, if you can try and do a little floor plan its really helpful. I hate when you walk into a room that has pretty thing and then the rug is like weirdly small.
JH: What are some of the latest interior design trends we can expect to see in 2018 and beyond?
GTH: I think color is making a come back!
Thank you Georgia for taking the time to answer these questions. If you’d like to learn more about Georgia Tapert Howe and see her full portfolio of work visit: georgiataperthowe.com