An Interview with Heidi Teems

A PERSONAL INTERVIEW WITH HEIDI TEEMS

 

Tell us about yourself

I am the mother of an amazing 23 year old son and two fantastic and darling girls who are 12 and 13. I’ve been married to my pilot husband Patrick for 27 years who supports my crazy ideas most of the time! I am the oldest of 3 and was always a little different from other family members in my conservative family.

I studied abroad as a foreign exchange student, living and studying in Austria after high school. I have been back many times since and Austria has a big part of my heart. I also studied in Germany on a college exchange program and yes, I speak German.

I have sewn since I was a little girl with my grandmother who owned a fabric shop, and my parents who had a fabric and sewing machine shop. I made it my goal in high school to make myself a new outfit once a week.

As part of our travels (due to my husband’s job) we landed in Memphis TN where I learned a lot more about interior design. I LOVED creating for so many beautiful southern homes. People were much more interested in making a house they loved rather than a house that looks like their neighbors. I thrived in that environment and started designing full time and taking classes. I have taken the career of custom home décor and fabrication with me over the years wherever we lived, working in high end homes and with next-door-neighbors. We have lived in Boise ID for 10 years now and I was excited to settle down and open Heidi’s House.

 

Tell us about Heidi’s House

Heidi’s House is a fabrication shop for custom home décor and we also carry wallpaper, fabric, pillow forms, and beautiful one-of-a-kind pillows. It’s full of fun, colorful, artsy inspiration. We welcome people to come in so that we can start to understand their desires for their home from the beautiful fabrics on show. I recently added an interior design franchise, and the integration with Heidi’s House is seamless and the benefits great.

 

Why did you purchase a Decorating Den Interiors franchise?

I worked with a designer who was retiring and we became friends. Eventually we both had an epiphany that I could and should try to qualify for a franchise. I’ve always wanted to offer full service interior design, and have in fact spent my life designing, creating, and fabricating. Decorating Den gave me the structure to do it correctly. They connected me with multiple quality vendors, and offer resources, training, and ongoing support, something that individual designers don’t have access to.

 

How did you get started in interior design?

I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t making spaces more beautiful. The first big project I remember was my own bedroom. I convinced a sweet on me neighborhood boy to create a headboard wall with wood. I designed it all out and somehow convinced him and my parents it was a great idea!

My first house was in Memphis TN. Lions & Tigers & Bears, oh my. We bought the worst house in the best neighborhood, removing all traces of the former inhabitants including cougars, snakes and an alligator living in the swimming pool. By the time we sold it 3 years later, it was a show piece that garnered so much praise that the buyers wanted it furnished. I barely needed a moving team!

 

What are your personal favorite styles and why?

Color, texture, pattern. I am a maximalist. Layers. Interesting things to look at. A blend of new & old. A nod toward trends but really leaning in toward traditional – timeless looks. I also like a touch of whimsy in my home. We have a large cow head (named Peanut) that will occasionally be dressed for the holidays and parties.

 

What design styles do your clients prefer? Is there one that stands out?

Although I can design to anyone’s style, most of my clients like traditional. People say that the houses I decorate feel welcoming, cozy and inviting. I decorated an entire house for a couple while they were traveling for a year. It turned out so beautifully, they were thrilled with how I had made the effort to make it a true reflection of them and their lifestyle.

 

What can a client expect from you?

Clients can expect me to collaborate in partnership with them. I’m really good at giving just enough options to excite them but to not overwhelm them in the process. I give quality. I pay attention to detail. I’m honest and I give exceptional customer service.

 

What do you like about the design process?

I love curating and the creative process is like putting a puzzle together. It’s putting the pieces together and watching the picture form into something beautiful that is my happy place.

 

Why should a client work with Heidi Teems?

I am creative, fun and have a lot of experience.

 

What do clients like about working with you?

I am always excited about their project and try to understand them well enough (walk a mile in their shoes) so that I can make suggestions, offer options that truly fit their lifestyle, desires, hopes, dreams….

 

Describe your typical client?

Women and couples in their 50’s and 60’s. They are not afraid to be themselves and just need a little help to express that in their décor. They are creating the house of their dreams and want a little guidance and someone to handle the details so they can be off living their best life.

 

Tell us about your family

I have a large extended family and we enjoy getting together for a family dinner almost every Sunday at my house for those that live close. I put it out there to change family dinner to once a month and got a lot of protests even from the teenagers.

My family and I ended up in Boise because one of my favorite cousins lives here. Since then, my parents, several cousins and an Aunt and Uncle have moved to Boise and we joke that I’m the Pied Piper. My mother-in-law has lived with us since my youngest was 4 months old and is a huge help to our family. My kids are a lot of fun. We enjoy boating and traveling together. Hawaii with my husband’s family is a yearly event. Although we have a large extended family we are all pretty close and keep in touch through social media. I always feel like there is a huge cheering section from all over the country because of them.

 

What do you do in your spare time?

I am an explorer, it all started with my year-long exchange program to Austria. I loved to travel so much I got an airline job in my twenties so I could afford to travel as a poor college student. The most exciting thing about travel for me is seeing all the different styles of design & architecture.

It’s a total bonus if I find a treasure in my travels. I’m that lady that walks through the airport with some over-sized, crazy-shaped item I had to bring home with me. I am also a project girl. My husband sometimes gets frustrated, and he actually thinks that we will eventually be “done” decorating sometime!

Our neighborhood is a special place and we refer to it as a village. We keep busy helping people when they are sick, watching out for and serving others in need. I feel very fortunate to live in a place that is a real community.

If you would like to talk to Heidi Teems either contact us or call (208) 853-4987.