Interview with Shelagh Conway

An interior designer’s work may seem to be purely creative—an eye for what looks just right.

But there is far more than aesthetic talent involved in helping people achieve a finished home. Shelagh Conway of Triple Heart Design in Austin, Texas, reveals what exactly professionals like her do to make their clients’ visions a reality.

Tell us about your design background:
I have been doing interior design for a better part of my life, but it took a while to realize I had a knack for it, and I certainly never thought about doing it as a career. Before, I actually worked a corporate job and would simply renovate houses on my own. Then I ended up renovating houses for my boss; I was working a full-time job while traveling and managing remodeling projects remotely. After about the fifth home, I found that I not only enjoyed it but was also good at it. So I quit my corporate career and opened Triple Heart Design in 2016.

What are some struggles homeowners may experience with a design or renovation project?
While most homeowners can handle choosing materials, they may lack the knowledge to manage the details that make a well-thought-out project shine, especially when construction is involved. They don’t always understand how the installation process works, what building codes are, or how to deliver the necessary drawings and/or information to contractors, builders, and other such professionals. Even more, they typically struggle to answer the follow-up questions these trades may ask and end up having design decisions made for them, resulting in frustration.

How can an interior designer help with the process?
There are multiple benefits they can provide. For one, while designing is a highly creative field, it is also an incredibly analytical one. When clients come to me, they often want the beauty of a renovation but don’t have a clear understanding of the functional aspects of planning one. I’m trained to focus on the details, looking at the form, function, and flow of a home before even getting into selecting aesthetic elements. I consider each room’s floor plan and purpose, whether it’s for entertaining guests, hosting family members, or raising kids, so I can make smart suggestions or decisions that best suit the client.

Further, working with a designer means having someone who knows how to project-manage and communicate with any other professionals involved as well as confer knowledge to you in a way you can understand. Take a project requiring home construction. Architects and builders have the best intentions, but sometimes things get missed or misconstrued, leading to a finished result the client doesn’t fully enjoy. A designer will do functional reviews of the floor plan and work closely with the contractors and/or architects to ensure the smoothest route to the client’s desired outcome, crafting detailed drawings that help them build with strong design intent. This helps minimize miscommunication and any major adjustments that can otherwise occur.

How do you work with a client to determine their needs and wishes?
On our first consultation call, I ask the client questions about their lifestyle and look at photos or videos of their home to get a sense of their style and tastes. Some are unsure of what they want, so we spend a good amount of time looking at Pinterest on a shared board to dial in on what they like. Since I know what a home needs to be cohesive, I guide them through these steps, helping them make choices that feel perfect for them and align well with the home’s architecture.

What is the process of procuring goods for a home?
This is where I think many clients have a skewed notion of what designers do. I like to call it the Bewitched vision: they think we just wiggle our noses and put stuff together when, in reality, we spend hours making sure that the items we source will work in the overall design. Our process begins the same way for every client. We analyze the home’s floor plan, windows, doors, cabinet depths and heights, electrical diagrams, and more to gain an understanding of the current configuration and where our opportunities and constraints lie. Then we move onto concept design, discussing both preferences and budget.

At that point, for our full-service interior design clients, we transition to the materials and selections phase. We review each item or material’s technical specs, installation methods, etc. and communicate these details to the various contractors, if necessary. This is the longest and most detailed aspect of the job—there isn’t ever an item sourced that doesn’t go through a rigorous decision-making process. Finally, once construction begins, we go about selecting furnishings, window treatments, and decor as requested.

How long does it take to go from initial contact to end results?
On average, we spend six to ten weeks in design development for smaller projects and three months to a year for larger ones. This ultimately depends on the permitting, contractor, and client as well as the time they need to make decisions as we move through the process.

What would you say to someone who may have budget concerns?
Working with an experienced designer as your guide and advocate can actually save you money in the long run. I know that seems counterintuitive, given the cost, but they will diligently strive to foresee expensive problems in advance and collaborate with contractors and suppliers to execute designs within your price limits.

How do you suggest that clients find the right designer for their needs?
As with any trade or professional service, everyone has a unique style, approach, and process. Personally, I aim to design spaces that have a zen-like quality to them and promote healthy living, so I gravitate more toward natural materials. I believe that they emit a palpable energy, and I take extra care when picking them to ensure that they match each project I’m working on. If you’re looking for design assistance, make sure to do your research, interview several people, and request detailed information about each one’s areas of expertise so you can find the one who resonates most with you.

For more info, visit tripleheartdesign.com