Meet Emily Collins | Designer

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

Hi Emily, other than deciding to work for yourself, what else do you think played a pivotal role in your story?
The single most important decision that has contributed to my success is simply following my heart, by default, trusting my instincts and taking the road less traveled. My professional journey has been anything but a straight line. I got my undergraduate degree in Interior Design, decided during a summer internship that I actually wanted to be an Architect, finished undergrad and immediately went on to get my Masters degree in Architecture (a seven and a half year journey). My dream was to design tall buildings, but I graduated in a recession and the job market was rough. After what felt like endless interviews, I accepted a job at a high-end residential design firm in New York City focusing mostly on Interior Design. I think my parents were more than confused about the expensive Masters degree in Architecture and my insistence that I wanted to be an Architect, not an Interior Designer. New York City was hands down my dream location, but at the time, residential design was honestly the absolute last thing I wanted to do. Something about the firm just felt right and I fell in love with my job (which never felt like a job) and with residential design. Three months into my “new” dream job, I got a call from someone offering me a job at my “old” dream job in the world of corporate Architecture designing tall buildings. With a “no regrets” mentality, I chased skyscrapers and spent six months miserable, crying on the subway ride home each night. This experience did offer me lessons that I never knew I needed, looking back on it, I am immensely grateful. With the fear of having a resume tainted by a “short stint” job, I went back to residential design and picked right back up where I left off. Eventually, family (both the ones I missed and the ones I hoped to add to the family tree) brought me to Dallas. Candidly, it felt like my career had peaked in New York City and the Dallas design world was a downgrade. I could not have been more wrong. I had an experience-packed run at a prominent residential firm, with a job focused back on Architecture, which turned into some Interior Design, along with business operations and management. The design market in Dallas has been white hot as of late, which has made making the leap out on my own much less scary. My collective path, though a little all over the map and definitely non-traditional, along with following my heart through it all, provided me with the most invaluable experiences and most wonderful education. I am able to offer clients a unique skillset and blend of Architecture and Interior Design that has thus far been met with exciting success.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I offer boutique, high-end residential Interior Architecture and Design services. I have degrees and professional experience in both Interior Design and Architecture, so while my business is focused on Interior Design, the lens through which I approach interiors is unique and my experience allows me to be a sounding board to my clients beyond the interior of their homes.

Though my path is non-traditional, I got to where I am today the traditional way – hard work and grit. It was not easy. The past ten years have been an absolute hustle. Burning the midnight oil consistently. Grinding 24/7. Absorbing everything that I could and continuing to be a life-long learner. Now, balancing motherhood and a career/company.

My firm is founded on my unique set of experiences and education, taking the best of what I have learned and building my company on these attributes. As a boutique firm, every project is deeply personal to me. I want my clients to know that blood, sweat, and tears go into their projects. Attention to detail is key. I am excited to offer niche design that is exclusively tailored to each and every person I work with.

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.
Beyond being a business owner and designer, I am a mom to two small children, so my idea of fun is a little different these days! I live in East Dallas a few blocks from White Rock Lake, so I would definitely encourage an out-of-towner to check out the lake – such a unique part of our city that sometimes goes unnoticed. I love history and architecture, so a drive through Lakewood and down Swiss Avenue to check out the historic homes is a must (hopefully my friends are as nerdy as I am)! A Cool Thursday Concert at the Arboretum would be at the top of my list. As a designer, I also spend a lot of time in the ever-changing Design District. I would encourage visitors to check out the array of hip restaurants in the Design District by night and spend time in the same area hunting for antiques and design gems by day!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my past bosses/mentors at my previous jobs. The ones who encouraged me, trusted me, occasionally threw me in the deep end, and supported me unconditionally. Thank you for the best education in business and design. Without these people who saw something in me, I would not be where I am today.

It also goes without saying that my family – my husband, children, parents, siblings, and extended family – are the greatest cheerleaders and supporters and often times therapists, without whom my success would not have been possible.

Website: www.emilycollinsdesignstudio.com

Instagram: @emilycollinsdesignstudio

Image Credits
Korena Bolding Sinnett
Caroline Guinn