[Texturious Designs] How Local Businesses Can Create Welcoming Spaces

Jen Haywood is fulfilling interior design dreams with her business Texturious Designs but it wasn’t always this way. Jen is not your typical “I know I’m going to be an entrepreneur” gal, and ultimately, getting laid off is what led her to her full pursuit of Texturious Designs. I originally met her through FemCity and love her positive personality and the work she is putting out into the world. Let’s dive into learning her story and the advice she has for local business owners on creating a welcoming space!

What is the business you own + how long have you owned it?

I founded Texturious Designs in 2017. I provide both home remodeling and online interior design consulting services for homeowners & individuals across the country.

What does your day-to-day life look like?

I start every morning with a cup of Nespresso coffee & a little bit of cream – my favorite! A perk of working from my home office is not having to put “real” clothes on so I usually venture into my home office with either pjs or yoga pants on. I like to be comfy, always.

I’m really trying this month to be better about an actual routine, so 30 minutes of social media posting (Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram) before getting into my email. Then, depending on the projects for the week, I’ll either be sourcing furniture, drawing out floor plans, or following-up with clients. I belong to Lifetime Fitness so I typically try to squeeze in a workout over my lunch hour or after work depending on what I have going on. In the evenings, I’m cooking dinner for me & my hubby. I cook, he cleans up the mess, it’s a wonderful thing. And then snuggles with our dog, Louie, and a Netflix movie usually round out the day.

What was the inspiration behind starting Texturious Designs?

While in my first job after college, I was working as a project manager on an IT campus that was filled with marvelous architectural features and interior design. Every building was whimsically-themed. My office building was designed after Dungeons and Dragons, complete with a lava-looking carpet and a dragon in the conference room. Surrounded by all this creativity and finding myself increasingly less enthusiastic about the job I was hired to do, I decided to return to school to study interior design. Three years later, I graduated from Iowa State University with a M.A in Interior Design. It took a few more years for me to use that degree, I returned to IT roles before starting Texturious Designs in 2017. I am a firm believer that the Universe will eventually course correct to get you where you are authentically supposed to be and that same year I was laid off from my job. Thus, creating the space and opportunity for me to completely pivot industries and roles.

Let’s dive into design. So many local business owners have spaces people come and visit. What are some key things they should think about when it comes to creating a welcoming space?

Every space has its own unique set of activities and goals but in general it’s important for business owners to consider lighting, traffic patterns, and color scheme. There are different color temperatures (warm to cool) and lumens (amount of light output) that can create different vibes in a space and impact the feelings you experience. Think about how a coffee shop feels versus a nightclub. It comes down to lighting. Traffic patterns or how someone navigates throughout a space is important because in general, people like knowing the layout of the land – where are the boundaries, where is the public versus private space? It’s important for someone to be able to quickly distinguish between where the walkspace is and where it is ok to set their laptop bag down and get cozy. Colors are powerful tools to help set a mood or directions for how someone is to behave in that space. You’ll see a lot of red used in restaurants because it is a stimulant and can increase appetite. Blues are reserved for spas because it mimics the color of water and is serene and calming.

What do you see some local businesses doing right?

The businesses that do it right, that prioritize good interior design are the ones that people love to return to again and again. I love listening to people’s responses upon entering a space for the first time. When you hear the “oohs and ahhs and wows,” that’s when you know a business has succeeded in creating an inviting space for their clients.

What do you see some local businesses doing wrong?

If you own or manage a storefront, you have to remember that your store is the first impression your client has of you. The businesses that are not putting any thought into what their space is communicating are doing it wrong. Your space is an extension of your brand, your values, and your mission. These should all be aligned with the feelings someone experiences upon stepping into your store. And even if you don’t have a storefront (I don’t!), what is your home office communicating? Is it organized, professional and luxurious or cluttered and confused? Think back to your brand words and make sure that is reflected in the design of the space.

If I’m a new and scrappy business owner; what are three things I can do on a shoe string budget?

1)Organization.

2)Bring the outdoors inside.

3)Personalize.

Decluttering was a big focus in the design world in 2019. If you don’t have the budget to spend on a fully-customized closet system or built-ins, some tubs, baskets, and organizational containers can function the same way. Papers and clutter all over a desk subconsciously tell a customer that you aren’t organized or prepared.

Humans are drawn to nature, so while we spend the majority of our time indoors, it’s important to bring nature to us. A plant (real or fake) can help improve our mental health – making us feel positive and relaxed. A real plant has the additional health benefits of purifying our breathing air.

Memories (especially positive ones) can be really powerful to help with our state of mind. Having art and decor around that reminds you of your favorite trip or people is an easy addition to your space or office.

What else should people know about you?

I offer hourly consultations so even if you don’t know what your budget is or where you should start, these meetings can be so helpful to get you on the right track with improving your space.