Today we’d like to introduce you to Jillian O’Neill.
Jillian, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I attended design school at Harrington College in 2001-02 and launched my interiors business shortly after. I was fortunate enough to immediately take on a full scale new build that was published by Chicago Home & Garden and my firm grew from there.
I’ve built a business around offering very personal service to each client by keeping my firm small and only taking on select projects. Upon moving to Houston in 2013, my direction was no different. Since launching I’ve been privileged enough to participate in numerous show houses, speak on panels and see the work we do published often so we really are getting to branch out within the design community.
Entering into 2017 what is perhaps our most exciting endeavor is coming to fruition and that is our boutique custom furniture collection. We are creating pieces that are made locally in Houston by very talented craftsmen and with solid exotic hardwoods, stunning marbles and beautiful metals. It has given us the chance to fill what we saw as a hole in the market – handcrafted furnishings that are priced in accordance with their quality.
And it’s even more exciting that we are able to offer this level of furniture and style to the homeowner, where in the past they’ve only been offered to the trade. And, of course, we will still support our design community by offering trade account pricing.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have been lucky to enough to experience fairly smooth sailing as an entrepreneur.
My challenge has always been balancing my passion for my work with my priority of my family. I have learned my threshold for work/life balance over time and now strive to spend two days home per week with my four children. This only works well due to the support of a good team of assistants whom I’m able to trust (I’m always looking for new talent!). And of course from my husband and parents whose support allows me to not only work as hard as I’d like but also to travel to events like Masion et Objet in Paris and Legends in LA which is vital for inspiration and collaboration when one is a lone entrepreneur.
Jillian O’Neill Interiors & Collection – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are a full scale, high end residential interior design firm. We are known best for our elegant and modern aesthetic, but also one that is family friendly, warm and inviting. I believe what sets us apart from others are the vendors we specify. We constantly seek out new makers and our strength is in our eye for finding the very best. We have hopes that our new furniture collection will be considered among these lines by our peers now that it has launched.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
That is twofold – One, when a client confirms that the end result of our work is far better than something they could have imagined, and that they don’t want the project to end.
Two, seeing this furniture collection come to life after so many years of hard work.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jillianoneill.com and www.jillianoneillcollection.com
- Email: contact@jillianoneill.com
- Instagram: atelierathome and jilliaoneillcollection
Image Credit:
Susan Soriano Photography
Audrey Woulard Photography
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