“Meeting a client is like parachuting into a new land…” ~ Tonya Freeman 

Tonya and I met at a beautiful mid-century house in Orinda, surrounded by the rolling hills and native California greenery, a project that she had recently completed. The house has just been remodeled and is ready for sale. Tonya was involved in the whole design process, from choosing interior finishes to landscaping. The builder who worked on the house made a lot of changes to the original structure, but the best elements of the original mid-century home, such as a charming wet bar, have been honored and saved. Tonya even designed the floor planters at the entrance, as an homage to the mid-century style and indoor/outdoor living.

What was challenging in this project?

It was a fun project. I worked with the investor and builder – I had the freedom to design things the way I wanted. My vision was to update the home to a modern aesthetic while making a significant nod to its mid-century roots. This project included the challenges of communication with multiple team members, budget, and providing the high-end design that would appeal to a wide range of potential buyers.

How did you start in Interior Design?

My formal training is in Social Work. I grew up with a dad who did a lot of construction projects, and I learned from him. I started managing remodel projects of my own, then met Hope Broderick, an Oakland realtor, and started working with her, helping to get her listings ready to go on a market. Now I also work with homeowners and investors to provide a wide range of design services.

What’s your long-term goal?

I want to be in a position where I can pick and choose projects. I love doing residential projects. To have my own design/build firm that is focused on providing modern ecological design would be great, too.

What’s the most rewarding part of your work?

To see how everything comes together. A new space always feels like a blank canvas. My favorite part is when the project is taken to the bare studs. It’s like a new beginning with so many possibilities.

What keeps you motivated and inspired?

There’s always a new tile or a new design challenge. I use Dwell and Houzz for inspiration. Sunset Magazine is great – such a fun lifestyle magazine. Sustainable design is very important to me, and they have a heavy bent toward sustainability.

What do you like about ART TILE?

I love the diversity in styles and prices. I can always find inspiration there. And, I can go in and find the high and low-end tile. I can choose a more expensive tile to highlight some areas while going less expensive in other areas, which allows me to stay within client budgets. I prefer to work with small local businesses, and I like everyone there – ART TILE has fantastic customer service. Eve is great to work with!