We recently connected with Holly Owen and have shared our conversation below.
Holly, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
I am an interior decorator who specializes in vacation homes, and I was quite busy outfitting them until the city cracked down on Airbnb’s. I was left underemployed, and, by way of a connection, stumbled upon furniture painting and refinishing, which became my creative outlet in lieu of decorating.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I met my current business partner, Will, through a mutual connection; they both had warehouses in the same complex. He does antique restorations, and is a master craftsman. I initially went to talk to him on behalf of a friend who was looking for a career change. I popped by his warehouse and asked if he needed help. He replied yes enthusiastically, as he was quite busy. She didn’t end up being interested, but I was! I wasn’t sure how I would like refurbishing furniture at first, but I ended up really enjoying it – it’s both therapeutic and gratifying. I love comparing the “before” and “after,” as many pieces have undergone a drastic transformation.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I think the desire to try something new coupled with the passion to learn – and not be afraid to make mistakes – are key. I have made plenty of mistakes painting furniture! From aesthetic issues to damaging equipment, I’ve encountered plenty of challenges on my journey. It can be frustrating, and trying to learn a new skill as an adult can be difficult for a variety of reasons. Being open to instructions, advice, and constructive criticism is very important. Trying something new is brave. It’s okay if you’re not great at first, or even at all. The fact that you even tried is commendable. Not everything has to be perfect.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
We – the Hoard WareHaus – would love to collaborate with anyone looking to add unique, custom pieces of furniture to their personal collection, or to sell to their clients! Interior designers, set decorators, furniture stores, private collectors, etc.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chezhollidaydesign.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoardwarehaus/
