We recently connected with Tara Rodrigues and have shared our conversation below.

Tara, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I was a PA to a Headteacher, at the same school my children attended and in some ways I was living a comfortable life. I was fine, maintaining the status quo! But I had a low level niggle inside me, knowing that I wanted more and could have it. I was on a good salary at a comfortable job so I was absolutely fine suppressing the yearning for more! In 2016, my dad passed away and it forced me to re-evaluate my life and that introspection opened the door to a new chapter.

After having my kids and doing countless iterations of their bedroom design, I had stumbled across the psychological and physiological impact of holistic design and I wanted to have the same meaningful impact in other peoples homes and commercial spaces. I decided to follow my heart and went to Design School in 2019. Shortly after graduating I applied for a design competition on national television and was shortlisted. It was such a difficult process, being away from my kids Sunday to Friday for filming and competing against the other contestants every week was difficult as the challenges ramped up each week. The final day of the competition, changed my life forever! I won a 2 bed flat mortgage free and it was another springboard to progress my career in the way I wanted to.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I love nature so naturally biophilic principles guide my design process. I apply a holistic approach to design, drawing inspiration from the configuration and colours found in the natural environment. Bringing continuity from the external elements which enhance physiological and psychological health to create energising interiors with a positive impact, translating my clients wishes into beautiful, holistic, functional spaces. Where we spend an increasing amount of time indoors whether at home, offices, co-working spaces, I’m passionate about creating solutions to support and enhance health and well-being.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The biggest reward for me is the joy of seeing the impact and benefit in other people’s lives. I think of creativity as a connection between source and humans. It always feels quite powerful to tap into that and the intricacies that unfold are always so unique and authentic.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

My pathway to interior design was by no means an easy or smooth road. After finally accumulating enough finance and courage to start studying, the COVID pandemic hit meaning the in person course I had long awaited for, moved online. As a single parent trying to transition careers whilst navigating lockdown was especially challenging studying online, home schooling my children and working from home on furlough. I was determined that none of these areas would suffer any neglect – so I worked a very meticulous timetable and didn’t have a weekend for months.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tararodriguesinteriors.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tararodriguesinteriors
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tararodrigues

Image Credits

J Watson Media