Renowned designer Tracy Murdock recently won Architectural Digest’s “Open Auditions” as her design was selected from over 300 entries to win her this much coveted acknowledgment within the design community.
Tracy Murdock has been designing for LA’s celebrities and its business elite for over a decade now and she has been published in several design magazines and is renowned for her exquisite work. Her company not only works in interior design, but also outdoor and garden design, remodeling, event planning, property management and more.
The design world has always fascinated me as I’ve wondered what it’s like inside the mind of the great designers who see things through such an innovative and creative lens. In an attempt to get a better understanding of the processes and inspiration behind the great designs, I sat down with Tracy Murdock and asked her a few questions about her life, her work and what inspires her.
Me: Tell me about what you do and what sets you apart from other designers.
Tracy Murdock: Actually there are many things that set me apart… As you know when I started doing interiors it was with my own houses that I purchased as investments. I built my business and reputation on that foundation. Because of my design ‘eye’ I have the ability to see ‘the big picture’ when looking at a property. I can spot potential that others cannot, not even a broker… and not just with the interiors, but with the exteriors and the landscape as well. The whole picture.
When considering the design, I always implement what will maximize and bring the most added value to the home. Good interior design is an investment, one that will bring a return on the money invested. Real estate is one of the single largest and the most important investments a person will make in their lifetime and the one that will appreciate the most over time. Investing in the interior design will only make the stock of that house go up. Likewise, if a house is not maintained and updated as needed, the stock will go down.
Me: What initially drew you to design property, and how did you get started in the design business?
TM: I have always had an eye for detail, the artistic eye of a photographer, but it wasn’t until I worked alongside my former husband and ‘design mentor’, entrepreneur and real estate developer David Murdock did I discover the passion for it. He exposed me to so much and taught me so much.
Me: What are some design concepts that you specialize in?
TM: I love to do remodels, taking a ‘fixer’ down to the studs, moving the walls, changing floor plans and completely transforming that house. I enjoy and am very good with space planning and utilizing every inch of a property including (at times) encroaching ‘inside’ the walls to gain a few more inches necessary for a cabinet or for a niche or even an ‘indoor window’.
Me: What was your favorite or perhaps most interesting job that you worked on?
TM: Seriously my favorite clients are bachelors! They are certainly the easiest, they just want you to ‘pimp it out’, they don’t want to be bothered with the details, they notice everything and are so appreciative of what you are doing and they are happy to write that check… with a big thank you!
Me: Have you noticed any signs of recovery or worsening from your business point of view?
TM: Oh yes, recovering for sure! Two years ago I went from having three projects going simultaneously and a three month waiting list to having my clients in productions cut back or stop completely to all the projects in the pipeline canceling all together. I have been lucky over the last two years to have one project in production.
Much to my delight, with the New Year came a flood of new clients and great projects. Literally for the first three weeks my phone did not stop ringing with inquiries… I actually had to turn a few down and I am completely booked pretty much for the entire year. I am working 16-hour days, 7 days a week and thrilled. Productivity breeds creativity!
Tracy Murdock’s success is a testament to the impact the interior and landscape design of a home has on raising the value of a property. Style has the potential to play a prominent role in the sale of home; a unique and inspired design allows one to become attached to the character of a home and bring added value both monetarily and emotionally to the property for many potential buyers.
How important do you think the interior and garden design of a home is when it is on the market? Do you think potential buyers like to be inspired by minimally designed space or have a more daring and obvious design excite them? Please share your ideas and leave your comments below.
