We were lucky to catch up with Terra McNutt recently and have shared our conversation below.

Terra, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the story of how you went from this being just an idea to making it into something real.

Once I decided to start my own business, the first task, and probably one of the harder ones, was deciding what to name the business. There were a lot of things to consider! I wanted to keep it simple so it would be easy to remember yet not too specific so it didn’t limit my business to just one aspect of the industry. For example, I knew I didn’t want to include just the word “interiors” as it would imply that is the only type of design I do. A big portion of my business is working with clients building custom homes which includes working alongside builders and architects in all phases of construction. I also knew I didn’t want to include my name in the business. I wanted to start my business with the mindset of building a brand. That way if and when I ever decide to sell my business, I’m selling a recognizable brand that is way more valuable than if I were trying to sell ‘Terra McNutt Interiors’. Forward-thinking is important even when starting a business! The second hurdle was the logo, after all, it’s a design company! I wanted my logo to stand out yet be timeless in design while having a fresh and modern font.

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 grew up around new home construction which cultivated my love for design and custom home building at a young age. I knew early on that this was my calling. I graduated with a BS in Interior Design and a minor in Architecture from Texas Tech University. My years of experience working in the industry for high-end design firms and custom home builders afforded me the opportunity to design projects across the United States. Many of my projects have won industry awards and have been featured in local and national publications. After years of working for other firms, I decided to redirect my talents and founded my own company, RI Studio.

I solve lots of problems for my clients, and Actually, it’s the problem-solving that makes my job so fun. I love a good challenge and often those challenges lead to the best designs! Every client has a “problem” that is unique to their situation. Sometimes it’s as simple as blending design styles to satisfy one spouse who wants a more traditional look while the other prefers ultra-modern, or what to do with a large open space. Other times the challenges are larger, like taking a lifetime of treasures collected from all over the world and incorporating those into a unique but cohesive design. Building a custom home with a uniquely designed floor plan that has never been built is a landmine for mistakes. Having an experienced designer on that project from the beginning working closely with the architect, builder and client can save a lot of time and money for all parties involved.

There are several things that set me apart from other designers. My extensive construction knowledge and having worked closely with custom builders and architects for years really sets me apart from other designers and gives me a unique understanding of the details that others overlook. Often my projects go from concept to completion and final furnishings so paying attention to the details is essential! It’s difficult to achieve perfection in your finished design if you don’t plan for it during the concept stage and verify it’s done correctly during the building process. My goal with each client is to go beyond what they think their needs are. I am known for imaginative and unique designs for residential and commercial spaces. I have an innovative way of blending the home/business architectural elements with bespoke details to invoke a unique and elevated design that is unique to each client.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Being able to do something different in each project is very rewarding. I do not feel stifled by a certain aesthetic, my job does not feel monotonous or repetitive which keeps me engaged in my business.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I feel that currently, I am in a stage of transition, or pivot, in my business. After 5 years I have been blessed with much success and I can no longer do it on my own. So I am looking towards the next steps – do I hire someone to help with design projects? How do I make my time more efficient? What do the next five years look like and how do I grow my business even more? All of these are questions I am currently asking and planning. It’s very exciting to be in this position!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ristudiodallas.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ristudiodallas/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ristudiodallas/
• Other: Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/RIStudioDallas

Image Credits
Headshot by Heacox Creative Co. and interior images by Aaron Dougherty Photography.