6 THINGS WITH CLAIRE ZINNECKER

6 Things with Claire Zinnecker Founder of Claire Zinnecker Design

Claire Zinnecker is the founder of Claire Zinnecker Design, a boutique interior design firm based in Austin, Texas. Claire is a firm believer that every space tells a story. Her unique style paired with her passion for clean, affordable design has become her design aesthetic’s trademark. She has since worked with some of Austin’s prominent designers, completing residential and commercial projects including some of the most popular bars and restaurants in Austin.

1. What started it all for you?

Currently, my day job is lead designer and owner of Claire Zinnecker Design. A boutique design firm that specializes in residential and commercial interiors in Texas and beyond! I went to school for interiors at the University of Texas at Austin in the School of Architecture. I graduated in 2009 with the expectation of a guaranteed job from my previous summer internship in LA but in 2009 companies were letting go of ~40% of their teams and so I had to move home to my parents' house, jobless.

I emailed every designer I knew (and didn't know) in Austin and started working for 4-5 designers doing anything from project management to taking their dry cleaning. During this time I started writing a DIY series for a blog and styled and photographed my finished projects and posted them to Instagram (which had just come out!)

I narrowed my 5 designers to 2 and then to 1 full time and developed my own aesthetic via Instagram. Soon I began getting inquiries to do projects on my own! I dove into that, left the design firm I was at, and worked part-time as a project manager for a restaurant group for a year and a half until I gathered enough clients to take the leap and jump into CZD full-time! I told myself I could always go back to a 9-5 but would never know if I could really do my passion unless I took the leap. Been doing it ever since (I think it's been 10 or so years!).

2. What drives your creative spark?

My clients are a huge part of keeping my creative spark. Creating spaces that become their homes, their restaurants, and their boutiques fills me with such joy. Every project presents new challenges and new lessons which can sometimes be hard but always keeps it interesting! Problem-solving, creating something client specific, and staying away from the "trends", as much as possible, fills my cup.

3. Most treasured home decor item?

That's tough! I love so many of my pieces but also would feel okay about parting with them. I think anything that has family memories linked to it: paintings by Adam's great-grandfather, he has one of his grandfather as a little boy and one of his grandfather's house, art by my uncle, a few incredible sculptures, my great-grandmother's mirror that my parents went to Missouri to bring home for me and a painting of our house by a family friend.

4. What’s the best advice you've ever received?

When discussing fees, if it doesn't make you gasp with shock and nervousness then it isn't enough!

5. It's 5 o'clock at home. What would you be pouring?

Adam and I both don't drink! So our go to beverage is always a Topo Chico straight out of the glass bottle or maybe a warm cup of dandy blend.

6. What are your favorite 6 accounts that you follow for inspiration?

@ameliatarbet
@pierceandward
@lamaisonpierrefrey
@steph_since_1979
@manwithahammer
@cheapoldhouses

"My clients are a huge part of keeping my creative spark. Creating spaces that become their homes, their restaurants, and their boutiques fills me with such joy. Every project presents new challenges and new lessons which can sometimes be hard but always keeps it interesting! Problem-solving, creating something client specific, and staying away from the "trends", as much as possible, fills my cup." -Claire Zinnecker

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDIT:
1-4: MADELINE HARPER
5: WHIT MCGUIRE