Today we’d like to introduce you to Coraline Wheeler
Hi Coraline, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in a small coal mining town called Collie in the south west of Australia. I was always passionate about design, color and all things artistic from a very young age. I always thought architecture would be where I landed in terms of a career. Little did I know it would be a part of my journey, just not in the way I had expected. In the mid 1990’s I fell in love with a Londoner and soon after I left my country for love. His oil and gas career took us all over the world. During this period of my life of traveling and living abroad I truly discovered my passion for art, design and interiors. When our journey brought us to Houston I was no longer able to resist my creative desires, At this time our journey together was coming to an end. We enjoyed 7 years together. Though I was no longer happy living a life that followed someone else’s journey. I was ready to pursue my own path.
While I had no family or friends in Houston I decided to stay and make this my home, At this time my true artistic journey began and in 2001 I ventured out as a self taught artist. I founded my first company, “The Artists Hands”. We offered decorative wall and ceiling treatments/faux finishes, murals, cabinet finishes, decorative designs and custom canvas commissions. I learned so much with this business. I fell down many times, but never quit my passion. As a result I have enjoyed many years of success in this field of design and artistic finishes. While I still operate this company today, I have definitely scaled it way back to focus on my other creative passions.
While operating “The Artists Hands”, I networked primarily with custom builders and interior designers. This definitely fueled my hunger to design and remodel for myself. I completed my first flip property in 2008, right as the recession was hitting. Despite the economy and real estate market at that time, I knew there was no turning back. Interior design and remodeling was all I wanted to pursue. I had definitely discovered a deep passion that was incredibly fulfilling.
I’ve now been designing and remodeling properties since 2008. “Designer Details” was created and I had a very specific vision. I wanted to create a company that encompassed all of the things I was excited and passionate about. I wanted to provide an experience to our clients that enabled them to realize all of their design and remodeling needs could be met with us, a one stop shop. Today, Designer Details proudly operates as a full interior design and remodeling company. We can take our client’s from the beginning stages of architectural and space planning, to the interior design and materials selections. We can then project manage and complete the construction phase. We can also curate furnishings, accessories and art to complete the project for our clients. We cater to both residential and commercial clientele.
When I look back through our portfolio and our accomplishments I feel so proud and humbled at the same time. What a magical journey, working all of my passions. I feel fortunate to have earned the trust of all my clients during my career, to create and bring to life their dream homes or commercial spaces. I’m also extremely grateful for the contractor family we’ve grown through out the years. They are such an important integral part of the over all equation and success of this business. As a self taught artist, designer and remodeler I hope to shine a light for others to realize the only obstacles that stands between you and success is drive, desire and persistence. There is no feeling more satisfying or rewarding than working your passions.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Business ventures will always present obstacles and challenges. These have definitely shaped and molded me into the strong and resilient woman I am today.
My first real challenge was having no family or friends in the US. I was starting a business without any experience and knowledge. This was at a time when social media and googling everything wasn’t present the way it is today. The leg work was very different. I went from being somewhat shy and awkward to having to hustle to find clients. I had to make real efforts to network and find ways to become visible. Social media has definitely changed the landscape of how this works today, thankfully.
I was also raised in a small coal mining town in Australia. My life growing up was culturally very different to the lifestyle’s we enjoy here in Houston. I needed to learn how to approach all levels of social classes and deliver a product that was unique and set me apart from others. My back ground in public speaking saved me time and time again. I’m now able to blend in no matter the situation.
Perhaps the most challenging aspect of starting and growing these two businesses was being a female trying to navigate a male dominated industry. Construction by default has always been male driven and dominated. I had to really challenge myself to learn home remodeling and all areas of each trades disciplines. I wanted to be respected by the trades and taken seriously. This definitely took time, Once I found my contractor family and they realized I was stubborn about details and cared about and understood the details of their work, it all changed. Now our contractors are like extended family and together we create exceptional living environments for all of our clients.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
WHO ARE WE
We are a dedicated interior design and remodeling company. We focus on delivering attentive professional customer service combined with excellent workmanship. We pride ourselves on delivering classic, yet daring design concepts that are always custom tailored to our clients needs and desires. We are uncommitted to any one specific design style, and enjoy remaining diverse in our creative design abilities. Our skilled contractor family are exceptional. They are always friendly, courteous, innovative and deliver top quality installations. We offer all services in-house, from architectural, remodel construction, finish selections to the furnishings and accessories. There is no job too big or too small. We happily work with all budgets. While our home is located in Houston, Texas, we accept client’s nationally and internationally.
WHAT WE DO
We strive to remain on point with current industry and design trends. Equally important to us, is to set ourselves apart within our industry. We achieve this through creating and offering our clients innovative and unique design options, that are a true reflection of who they are and how they desire to live within their home. Our passion for our craft and design aesthetic, is always echoed in the delivery of our customer service and the installation of our quality interiors and remodels. Our mission is to always enhance and compliment the living environments of our clients, while taking all of the stress out of the process. Our homes are the backdrops for most of life’s moments and memories. We love that we are able to play a creative roll in enhancing these life experiences for our clients.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
There are definite essential qualities that help to ensure success in this industry. One of the most important is to be a visionary. To have vision you have to be able to see the invisible. This will definitely set you apart from many.
The ability to marry a business brain with a creative brain is extremely important. These two qualities have to co exist. The ability to sell is also essential. People buy people, ultimately. In our industry this is just as important as the quality of your product or design ability. Client’s need to feel comfortable that we can take them from A to Z and can be trusted with what is often, their most expensive personal investment ever, their home or business.
Finally, and equally as important, is the ability to be organized, lead and delegate.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.designerdetailsllc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designer.detailsllc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/designerdetailsllc
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/designer-details-houston
- Other: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/design-build-firms/designer-details-llc-pfvwus-pf~1227614267
