November 16, 2015
INTERIOR DESIGNER + STORE OWNER TERRI SHANNON
After having her first child Terri Shannon changed. “I had this overwhelming feeling that I could take on the world,” she says. “Amazing what child birth does.” Since then in 2014 she has grown her interior design business, Bloom Interior Design, to include a homewares store, and more recently an online shop, Bloom & Co. The store front was opened in the main street of Williamstown, Melbourne, where she lives, after having a much-needed overhaul. But Terri could see it’s potential. Her husband Luke, who runs Think Shutters, helped make the transformation and now it also houses the office for her design business, which she started when she was only 24. One of her more recent projects was featured on the cover of Inside Out magazine. “I love that house so it’s a thrill to see it in print,” she says.
Which five words best describe you? Driven, creative, shopaholic, homely, mum.
How did you get your career start and what path have you taken since? I studied Interior Design & Decoration at RMIT and got my first job through my mentor at a lovely small family run Design & Decoration store in Essendon. I learnt a lot about soft furnishings and the art of window furnishings.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learnt along the way? Employ trustworthy and like-minded people.
What’s your proudest career achievement? Opening my store Bloom & Co and launching our online store.
What’s been your best decision? Taking the risk to start my own business.
Who inspires you? My staff when I see them doing amazing, creative things.
What are you passionate about? It sounds a bit predictable but I really am passionate about my business. I’m one of those people who found a career they loved early in life and I’ve been lucky enough to be able to pursue it to this day. I don’t get Monday-itis.
Which person, living or dead, would you most like to meet? Grace Kelly.
What dream do you still want to fulfil? I would like to take my children and husband travelling to places like Croatia and Greece and many more places I have on my list.
What are you reading? Thrive by Arianna Huffington.
images courtesy of bloom & co