Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Abess
Hi Taylor, 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 grew up immersed in a world of construction and design—my family worked in building, and my mother was an interior decorator. Early on, I was inspired by that environment, but as a teenager, I felt the need to explore my own path, which led me to a career in fashion. I started designing and representing other designers, and in 2006, I opened my own showroom in Soho, which I ran until 2015. During that time, I renovated my entire showroom space, and friends who saw it began asking me to design their homes. The transition into interior design happened naturally from there. Ultimately, I closed the showroom to pursue design full-time, but my fashion background gave me a solid foundation in textures, layering, and mixed media.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I opened my first business at 26, and as a naturally creative person, learning the business side of things came with its challenges. There were plenty of hiccups along the way as I figured out how to run a business. Eventually, I burned out in the fashion industry, but I realized my real passion was in interiors. When I transitioned into design, I started small, working with friends and family to iron out the kinks. I took some architectural courses, taught myself design software, and from there, things took off through word of mouth.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My firm, Parlor Interiors, elevates and redefines the very practice of interior design by composing a story for each project that captures the true expression of a property, building and customizing its unique volumes, enhancing its interior and exterior textures, producing handcrafted details, and meticulously sourcing lighting, furnishings, vintage pieces and antiquities, and artwork. We work to educate clients in collectible design as a form of art and currently serves clients throughout South Florida, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Mexico.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
Set clear boundaries early on—define what’s acceptable in terms of client-designer relationships, interactions with subcontractors and general contractors, and even set guidelines for appropriate contact times. It’s essential to establish a healthy work-life balance from the beginning; don’t let work take over your life
Contact Info:
- Website: https://parlorinteriors.com
- Instagram: @parlorinteriors
