Talk Shop: Tammy Connor // Tammy Connor Interior Design
Photo by Peter Olson
ABOUT TAMMY
Award-winning interior designer Tammy Connor has built her reputation on creating timeless classic interiors infused with a casual southern elegance. She founded Tammy Connor Interior Design in 2000 and since then, she and the firm have received numerous awards from the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, been identified by Elle Decor as “Ones to Watch,” named one of Traditional Home’s “New Trad Designers,” and selected multiple times for Luxe magazine’s “Gold List.” The firm’s work has also been featured in an array of national media publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Veranda, House Beautiful, Departures, UK House & Garden, Traditional Home, Luxe magazine, Southern Living, and Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, among others, as well as in numerous books, including on the cover of the recently published Waterworks book The Perfect Bath.
Tammy is a member of the Southeastern ICAA Board, Design Leadership Network, and Leaders of Design Council. She received a degree in Studio Art and Art History from Wake Forest University, a degree in Interior Design from The American College of Applied Arts, and is a member of ASID, and a NCIDQ certified designer. Tammy Connor Interior Design is based in Charleston, SC, where Tammy lives with her family and two rambunctious springer spaniels. The firm also has an office in Birmingham. We loved sitting down with Tammy, and hope you enjoy this Talk Shop!
Describe your style in three words or less:
Timeless, Unexpected, Inviting
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
The lifestyle of the South Carolina lowcountry; collaborations with the talented architects and visionary clients I've been lucky enough to work with; the trust that is developed from these collaborations that encourages creativity and innovative ways to push design boundaries.
What is your favorite thing about what you do:
Collaborating with clients, architects, builders and craftspeople to make a vision come to life is very rewarding. The diversity of our projects in terms of aesthetic, location and lifestyle keep my job from ever becoming predictable, while traveling and finding inspiration in new corners of the world keep my job fun!
What does your home say about you:
Work in progress!
Where do you find inspiration:
Nature and travel
Who are your style icons:
Albert Hadley, Nancy Lancaster, Iris Apfel (the usual suspects!)
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Amusing guests and 21 Seeds Infused Tequila!
Do you collect anything:
Turtle shells and design books
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
I’m a big believer that rules are made to be broken!
What are you working on right now:
We’re working on several exciting and inspiring projects throughout the country right now. Our current projects are in historic Charleston and Kiawah Island, Utah, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, North Carolina—with several others on deck!
Wardrobe staples:
A crisp white button-down; ivory pants; a pair of Tod's flats.
Favorite fabric/wallpaper:
Impossible to choose, but anything by Claremont, Rose Tarlow, Rogers and Goffigon is a firm favorite.
Best interior advice you ever received:
Every space should have something unexpected.
Best career advice you ever received:
If your dreams don't scare you, they aren't big enough.
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
To invest: Antiques and art; To save: tile
Your greatest extravagance:
Travel
Favorite places to shop for home:
Antique fairs in New Orleans, New York and England
Most prized possession and why:
A tortoise box filled with letters from my family and friends gifted to me for my 40th birthday.
Your interiors motto:
You have to know the rules to break the rules!
Your life motto:
Life is better when you are laughing.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: Fried chicken and chargrilled oysters from Leon’s in Charleston
Drink: Diet Coke and Paloma
Film: 9 to 5
Hotel: The Beaumont (London)
City: London
Bedding: Frette
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Peppermint Tea
Playlist: Shania Twain radio
Weekend Activity: Napping
Design Book: One Man's Folly