Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Apolonio.
Hi Taylor, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in the Salt Lake area, where a love for the outdoors not only accompanied my hobbies and interests but also a rich source of inspiration. My earliest memory of being drawn to design dates back to third grade when my curiosity was sparked by the attic access in my bedroom. With a blank sheet of printer paper and a pencil, I sketched “blueprints” for a staircase leading to a loft, reimagining how the space could be transformed to its fullest potential. The main bedroom being designated for functional activities like sleep and homework, and the loft for fun hangouts with friends and mischief. That childhood creativity blossomed into a lifelong love of rethinking spaces and finding unique ways to make them special and practical.
Before Habitat Interiors Co, I earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in interior design, honed my skills at a custom furniture company, then as a custom cabinetry designer. Designing alongside talented designers, builders, and architects shaped my approach to design. Earlier in my career, I worked in restaurant management, a nod you’ll find in the new Design Menu. This involved leading teams and overseeing multimillion-dollar businesses which developed my ability to manage large projects and coordinate cross-functional teams. I often reflect on the frequency I utilize those same skills today, which have been invaluable in the design and construction world.
Since the inception of Habitat Interiors Co in 2020, I have further expanded my expertise by earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree in psychology. This advanced knowledge allows me to apply psychological principles to design, ensuring spaces are not only visually comforting but also promote well-being, productivity, and functionality tailored to the individual needs of those inhabiting the space.
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?
I started this business during the summer of 2020. Does anyone remember the context around that time? It was definitely hard! But a lot of people were spending a lot of time in their homes and noticing how they wanted to alter it to better support their current or future needs. I think because of that collective experience, many people have a more intimate understanding of design psychology and how your space can support (or hinder) them, even if they don’t have the language for it.
From a more design perspective, I also reflect often on what I was like during design school. I wasn’t a great designer and wasn’t as in touch with my creativity or pushing boundaries. I often felt as if I was the odd person out during my classes and didn’t get the same respect as some of my peers because I hadn’t really developed personal style or honed in on elements that were important to me. I was doing a lot of imitation and regurgitation of what was popular and not being super inventive. My time as a custom cabinetry designer is where I ended up developing a lot of those skills that pushed me to develop my approach and craft.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Habitat Interiors Co, every space I create is rooted in the client’s story. I aim for it to be beautiful, functional, and suitable for current and future needs. No copy and paste designs, just spaces to love living in and be excited to share with the people who matter most. I would say my specialty is designing floor plans, kitchen and bath design, or really anything that has to do with cabinetry. These are the muscles I’ve consistently built and if any of these elements are paired with a renovation, those are the projects I get extra giddy about.
One area that I’ve been really intentional with is creating services that are more accessible. So often folks share the hesitancy they have to just do an initial inquiry because they automatically assume the price point will be beyond what they can afford. It’s become really important for me to offer transparency and context around pricing with the Design Menu. And I’m currently dreaming up other ways to expand what might be future offerings that further enhance this area.
One thing in my career that stands out as something I’m proud of is building relationships with clients. It’s allowed me to push towards innovative designs and get a bit outside of someone’s comfort zone that make the end result that much more special.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
This is a hard question to answer at a time where so much is not only changing but changing very quickly. My hope would be that there’s a lot more affordable housing and that design is less about creating super luxury second, third, eighth homes for people and more focused around first time home buyers, small but highly intentional spaces, and centering personality and character. That may sound naive but I’d love to see that shift!
A few specific things I expect to continue to see over the next few years are creating spaces where people can gather and host, handmade items, natural materials, and secondhand or thrifted pieces. There are times some of these things are more ‘trendy’ or popular but I think they’re overall timeless and we’ll continue to find lots of value especially in response to AI, overproduction, and a craving human touch.
Pricing:
- Sample design consultation $145
- Bedroom or dining room design starting at $700
- Living room or bathroom design starting at $800
- Kitchen design starting at $1,300
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.habitatinteriorsco.com/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@taylorapolonio
