Designing homes across the county comes with its fair share of challenges, but for a team that thrives on creativity and a client-first mentality, these hurdles become opportunities for growth and transformation. In a recent conversation with senior designer at O’Hara Interiors, Heather Chadwick, we explored the exciting complexities of residential design–especially as they navigate the evolving requests of clients and the nuances of different regions.
One of the core elements of O’Hara Interiors’ success is their ability to hone in on a client’s individual style while maintaining a timeless appeal. “Everyone has a little bit of their own style,” the designer explained, reflecting on the process of curating homes that reflect both personality and functionality. This becomes especially apparent in homes across diverse locations, such as Austin, where clients are increasingly looking to bring the outdoors inside. The homes here echo this desire, with natural elements like stone, wood, and lush greenery becoming essential parts of the design narrative.
As the conversation shifted to textures and lighting, Heather emphasized the importance of blending durability with comfort. “When you’re working on family homes, you want to make sure everything’s durable and will last for over 10 years,” she noted, referencing the use of plush rugs and natural materials. The goal is to create spaces that feel inviting and timeless–spaces that will remain relevant no matter the season.
Natural textures are a key trend in today’s designs, often layered to bring warmth and depth to a room. “We’re seeing more natural elements in our designs than ever before,” Heather said, citing a growing consciousness about sustainability in the design process. As people become more mindful of their surroundings, this shift towards using organic materials is a reflection of this ethos, bringing a sense of calm and connection to nature into the home.
What sets O’Hara Interiors apart is their ability to marry form and function, making sure that every piece not only enhances the aesthetic but also stands the test of time. “We always want to make it a classic look, but with pops of color and fun textures,” the designer shared. The result is spaces that are approachable and inviting, without sacrificing the longevity of the design.
As they look ahead, Heather sees the expansion of O’Hara Interiors beyond its Austin base, embracing the rapid growth of Texas and its unique design challenges. “We’re expanding into new cities like those in the Hill Country and along the coast,” she explained. With a surge in second homes and summer properties, especially in cooler climates like Colorado, O’Hara Interiors is embracing a broader design range to meet the needs of clients living in diverse environments. This flexibility allows the team to craft homes that speak to both the land they sit on and the lifestyle of their residents.
What’s particularly compelling about the trajectory of O’Hara Interiors is the way they’re incorporating a warmer, more natural aesthetic in their designs. Moving away from colder tones and traditional styles, the firm is embracing a more organic approach. “We’re bringing in more natural elements, layering them in ways that create texture and warmth,” Heather said. “As light becomes an increasingly important element, the use of illuminated quartz countertops and innovative lighting fixtures transforms not just the function of a room but its emotional impact.
As O’Hara Interiors grows, it’s clear that the firm’s success lies in its ability to blend the classic with the modern, the natural with the luxurious, and always keeping the client at the center of the design process, a design ethos that Cantoni also emulates. From the challenges of connecting indoor and outdoor spaces to experimenting with new materials and textures, their work reflects a deep commitment to crafting homes that are both beautiful and enduring–homes that welcome you in, no matter where you are.
