Meet Danielle Barrett

We were lucky to catch up with Danielle Barrett recently and have shared our conversation below.

Danielle , so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

Imposter syndrome was a significant hurdle we had to tackle while getting established in the fast-paced interior design world.

Unlike many skilled and seasoned interior designers out there, we did not have the extensive training and background others did prior to stepping foot into this profession. In stark comparison, we came into this field almost by “accident” unexpectedly. What others already knew we had to learn, and learn quickly.

I was working as a school-based speech language pathologist, while my sister, Lynley, was a stay at home mom. We always had a keen eye for seeing potential in spaces and getting others excited about what could be. We took on small projects for friends and family. People liked what they saw, and even more than that, they liked how they felt in a space that reflected their lifestyle. During the same time, my home was on the market for over 6 months with no interest. Lynley and I took the Accredited Staging training, and followed the staging guidelines to a tee. After our first stage, my home sold in 48 hours! Thanks to a little nudging from my realtor, we realized we not only enjoyed what we were doing, but we were good at it! The word spread, our projects got bigger, and we took on more. Fast-forward to six years later, we own LD Design Co., a full-fledged interior design and staging business with a team of 8 passionate designers!

Cue the imposter syndrome. In a world that hinges on looks, elegance, style, and taste, we were two green designers learning the ropes quickly! We had to lean into our strengths and grind in the areas we needed to grow. We kept our heads down, focusing less on achievements and more on results. We didn’t have accolades or a portfolio yet, but we did have results that spoke for themselves, We had happy client after happy client who loved their homes and enjoyed their spaces because it now felt like them. We had houses that turned into inviting homes where families wanted to spend time together. Most importantly, we had people in our own communities vouching for us and referring us to their friends and neighbors. A support system was growing around us to help us thrive while honing our craft.

While we learned the trade secrets and took on all of the on-the-job training we could get our hands on, we continued doing the simple things that go a long way- treating people kindly, communicating effectively, collaborating with other seasoned professionals, and building a business on hard work and integrity. This helped our business grow authentically and organically.

In order to get past that hurdle of feeling inadequate, we had to continue to be willing to be stretched to grow into the space we were already occupying. No one had higher expectations of ourselves than we did.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

LD Design Co. is an interior design and staging business, serving the North Dallas area. Family-owned and operated by sisters, Danielle Barrett and Lynley Tolleson, we take pride in helping clients curate homes that are both beautiful and functional for their families. Together, Danielle and Lynley have staged and designed homes for a little over 6 years, growing LD into a dynamic team of 8 designers.

Whether you have lived in your home for 20 days or 20 years, your home should be a reflection of who you are and tell a story about what you love (places traveled, sights seen, enjoying the outdoors, etc.). Collaborating with clients to help them tell their story is an important part of the job. The most rewarding part of it all is install day! This is the day the project vision comes together with hands on styling and even some fun surprises hand selected for your home. Seeing the look on homeowner’s faces after it all comes together is priceless!

Whether it be staging a home to maximize its potential before selling, or remodeling a home, we are in the business of transforming spaces and helping clients love the homes they have. From consultations to design boards and hands on styling, we offer a wide range of services to our clients in the North DFW area.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Initiative. We had to take some pretty significant risks to get to where we are today. We didn’t always have a clear vision of how we would get there, but we had a drive that spurred innovation and a hunger for progress. When starting your own venture, you have to be ok marching to the beat of your own drum at times. We didn’t wait for others to tell us when to move. Before we even took our staging course, we had a website and logo in the works!

Creativity. It is essential we are creative and innovative both in our literal designs and in building our business. In any field, things are constantly changing, and being able to pivot is an important part of the growth process. Know what you and your business stand for. Don’t compromise on your values or your work ethics, but when challenges arise, be creative with new ideas and think outside the box. In the beginning, our process and services were constantly changing until we found what worked. Remember often times, you must be stretched before you grow.

Communicative. Interior design is extremely personal and positive rapport is an essential part of the process right out of the gate. Being a team player and a good listener helps us gain traction with both clients and peers. Homeowners want to feel like they not only trust us, but they really know us when we come into their homes. To achieve that, be transparent and own your mistakes. Don’t apologize for things that are outside of your control, but do be understanding of the way others feel and their viewpoint.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

Our parents were, and still are, incredibly generous. Growing up, they were constantly doing quietly compassionate things like letting those who needed it live in our pool house for months on end or selling their car for $1 (literally $1) to the newlyweds who needed it. I remember on Wednesday afternoons, our mom would pull up to the middle school and fit as many of our friends in as she could in her big Suburban. She would treat us all to Taco Bell and then take us all to Wednesday night youth group. She didn’t mind being inconvenienced if that meant someone felt included or loved. She was constantly pulling those on the fringe in to be included and have a place. The best part of their generosity was that it was like Christ’s love- quiet, steady, and unconditional. They didn’t expect anything in return. They loved because they were loved immeasurably more than they could ever give back. In a round about way, if the work that we do both in our clients’ homes and in our own homes makes people feel seen or appreciated or confident in who they are, then we hope we can give back a small portion of what has been lavishly given to us.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lddesignco.com
• Instagram: lddesignco
• Facebook: LD Design Co.