Meet Tamra Coviello | Sustainable, Vegan Interior Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tamra Coviello and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tamra, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?

“Happiness is a journey, not a destination” Alfred D. Souza WRITER, PHILOSOPHER

To me, this quote is a reminder to stay present and live in the moment. When I was younger, I thought “I will be happier when I achieve XYZ,” but I was missing out on a lot of happy moments because I was not present because I was always future projecting on what I should do next. Now, I  realize that I need to slow down and recognize that there is no place or moment that you reach and say “Oh, here I am. I made it to the finish line,” There is no finish line. I make sure to try now to be present in the moment for myself, my friends and family.

What should our readers know about your business?

I’d say I’m most proud of taking a color consulting business and expanding it into a full-service, vegan & sustainable design firm with a staff! I went from a one-woman show to a three-woman firm with an amazing rolodex of the best trades in San Diego County. I am extremely pleased with the footprint I have chosen to leave in the world. My firm carefully selects vendors that are sustainable and I first chose to salvage pieces on a project before purchasing new by giving items new life rather than contributing to the landfill.

Business-wise, I was fortunate enough to get some great referrals from people that requested me to do things outside of the simple color consulting I was hired to do. They pushed me to expand my business and encouraged me to explore a full interior design model. They kept wanting more and more from me, and I said yes! Blackdoor Design has evolved more as I made changed  my lifestyle. Becoming vegan pushed me to align my personal values with my business values which led me to source primarily vegan furnishings and decor to create my signature timeless modern design.

Blackdoor Design’s success from the outside looking in appears as that it was quick and easy. However, I am always pushing myself and the people around me to do better, better experience for our clients, better choices in products. I am consistently educating myself, my team through  industry authorities and developing processes to be more efficient and to provide a luxury experience for my clients. I am also searching out new and innovative vendors/manufacturers to broaden my luxury design capabilities within the sustainable and vegan realm.

There are so many lessons, but one thing I have learned is how to communicate with all different types of people. Everyone has a different style of communicating and it is up to me to recognize how each person communicates to effectively express myself and listen to what they are trying to communicate. In interior design it is vital that you recognize your clients’ needs and wants, even when they have no idea what they are missing.   They just know they need a change. So, it is up to me create a roadmap that creates a clear vision of their design.   I have created a process for the client that they are involved in the key aspects of the space, but not overwhelmed by little or big decisions. I build trust with them through this process and every time it so rewarding for me when they emotionally let go and hand me the keys to their kingdom because I have earned their trust.

Another big lesson is you’re never done learning. There is always something new and I keep my mind open and my eyes peeled for opportunities to grow as a designer and as a business owner.

Lastly and the most important lesson is that being an interior designer is a great responsibility and I don’t take it lightly. There is an emotional and psychological connection between my clients, myself and their homes. It is just as important to meet my clients’ emotional and psychological needs as it is to  deliver a beautiful room. If they don’t feel heard and seen when you’re designing that beautiful room, then you’ve failed.

Follow along as we tell our Timeless Modern Design story on Instagram @blackdoorbytamracoviello!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Balboa Park has so much architecture and history to explore. It is unique and has to be experienced by all. So, I would start by taking them on the trolley where we would walk the Botanical Gardens, then walk over to the Spanish Villages Art Center. Where we can  walk the galleries and shops for some retail therapy.  After, we would dine at the El Prado for a delicious Mexican meal.

We can’t end the week without a round of gold at Native Oaks Golf Course in Valley Center- it’s a hidden gem!
In addition, there are so many beautiful hiking trails in San Diego as well. I would take my guests to one of my favorite hikes behind the Waterwise Botanicals in Pala to explore the grounds and hike the beautiful trails.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Debbra Sweet, my leadership/business mentor with Thrive Right Consulting. She helped me develop my “alpha female” and was my support during different phases of my life as an entrepreneur and businesswoman. She gave me the confidence to be a strong woman and not apologize for it. Now I am confident when standing in the room of some the most accomplished trades in the field to express what I need from them to assure a successful design. In return, they respect my expertise and we accomplish amazing results together.

Website: www.blackdoorbytc.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackdoorbytamracoviello/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/blackdoordesignbytc/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackdoorbytc

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/blackdoor-design-by-tamra-coviello-carlsbad-2

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjL9H05pDIpzkljQhXnGO8A

Image Credits
Melissa Au and Felix Mayorca