Today we’d like to introduce you to Sherry Millien.
Sherry, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I began my journey in interior design as a sophomore in high school when I had the choice of an interior design class instead of home economics. I received my degree in interior design from Oklahoma State University, I worked at George Cameron Nash, Walker Zanger, Ethan Allen, Design House, and a small design firm with a retail location before beginning my own firm in 2002 out of my home – Interiors of Distinction. In 2005, I opened a small retail/design studio in The Woodlands with my mom. We had the space for 5 years with 5 employees and working 20 clients at a time. I have two children; my daughter Megan has down syndrome. When our lease was up for resigning at 5 years, God told me that it was time to close the store because Megan was not getting what she needed at school.
I moved the business to my home and tried to do both, work full time and learn how to be an advocate for Megan. But I wasn’t doing justice to either one, so I began advocating the school district for inclusion for Megan full time and worked design jobs in the summer – mostly home renovation projects. Megan’s education was my focus for the last 7 years. Finally, last year I knew it was time that I could go back to interior design. Megan will be in 9th grade and my son will be in 6th grade next year. I have a part time business partner who has another full-time job until TIDG is busy and big enough to bring her on full time. I am very excited to be back!
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I am an interior designer. When I was 8, my grandfather gave me an art book – “How to Draw What You See” and told me I had gift that I should build and nurture. I remember that making be feel “seen’ and special. It wasn’t until my sophomore year in high school when I took that class that I knew that interior design would be the canvas for my art. I believe in creating rooms that are timeless and “hug” you when you come home. I believe your home should be beautiful but it should be more than that. I believe when you come home, you should be surrounded by things that give you peace of mind and peace of spirit.
Your home should make you feel loved, inspired, and safe – it should hug you when you walk in the door. I can only do that by focusing on the client completely. I really don’t get my design inspiration for a project from Pinterest, etc. When I meet a client and walk in their space – they are my pure inspiration. Each space is as unique as the person(s) who live there and together they will tell you what they need. Rooms are my canvas. My company’s foundation is firmly rooted in my Christian faith because I believe every moment I am awake is an opportunity to worship and show my love for Christ. God gave me this talent to reach and serve others with. I want to make my clients feel as special and unique as He makes me feel.
What do you know now that you wished you had learned earlier?
I wish I had learned the business side of interior design earlier. So many do not know to run the business and make it a profitable business.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
People can see our work on our website but the best way to see our work is to hire us to collaborate with them to design their home for them.
Contact Info:
- Address: Spring, TX
- Website: www.terravistaidg.com
- Phone: 832-264-6081
- Email: sherry@terravistaidg.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/sherrymillien_terravista/sherrymillien_terravista
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/terravistaidg/
- Other: www.pinterest.com/terravistainteriordesigngroup/
Image Credit:
Carla Due Photography
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