Tara Jones

Owner, Principal Designer Graduate of Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising

My passion for design began at a young age when life's circumstances taught me a profound lesson – the power of our surroundings that shape our well-being. As a child, my mother's struggles led us to lose our home, and we found ourselves displaced for quite some time. In that moment, I became acutely aware of the impact our environment has on our sense of sanctuary, privacy, and overall quality of life.

Those formative years instilled in me a deep understanding of how vital it is to have a safe haven – a place where we can fully express ourselves, feel comfortable in our own skin, and find solace from the world's demands. Our sanctuary impacts everything – our mental health, mood, habits, and lifestyle. It was then that I realized my calling: to create spaces that transcend mere aesthetics and inspire true transformation, which led to the establishment of Designer Space in 2015.

My journey began in the vibrant heart of Los Angeles, where I staged many hidden gem homes in neighborhoods like Los Feliz and Silver Lake to the luxury residences on Mulholland Drive and in Beverly Hills. Experiencing these unique homes in all the different lighting of the day inspired me greatly, as I got a glimpse of what it's like to live in them.

A few years later, I started working with a luxury design & build firm, where I became intimately involved with the intricacies of construction and specifying finishes for new builds. This experience expanded my clientele, and I now enjoy collaborating with developers and investors alike, whether it be a single, multi-family, or low-income housing endeavor.

Then, I stepped into the world of Hospitality design, working with the renowned Hillstone Restaurant Group. I dabbled in intricate custom design work for multiple store renovations nationwide. Collaborating closely with their Operations team, I gained insights into their needs to design functional kitchens and dining areas. This sparked my love for creating exceptional dining experiences for many to enjoy while traveling and getting to know the city and its culture.

Today, as Designer Space embarks on its new chapter in San Diego, our mantra is "Soulful Design. Inspiring Transformation." We understand that for years, you've been yearning to transform your space, recognizing its untapped potential to uplift your life. Together, we'll dive into your lifestyle, asking thoughtful questions to create spaces that nurture your well-being, cultivate joy, and empower you to live your most authentic, fulfilling life.

Clients

“Tara was a delight to work with. She had great ideas for our home, both the completely remodeled areas and upgrading old ones. She bore our budget in mind and sent us options to consider. She was always thoughtful, professional, responsive and communicative. Our home not only looks beautiful, but functions great and is eminently livable. We are thrilled with what she did. Tara also has great contacts for auxiliary services such as an art hanger, closet maker etc. She doesn’t impose her style but wants to hear what you envision for your home. We love her and recommend her super highly!” - Lorraine Lipson

“Tara is an answer to prayer for someone like me - overwhelmed with deciding colors and spaces to arrange decorative items. She calmly asked me about what I personally liked and my life style. I had several special and unusual items I wanted to display. For items I needed to purchase she looked on line for me and gave me suggestions to choose from. Then she came back to the house to do the installation. Now the rooms flow from one to the other giving a united look. Tara was always patient, calm, productive and professional. I highly recommend her.” - Sue Andersen

“Tara has a great eye for design and an ear for listening to clients' needs. Like any designer she has her own POV and will lend her expert opinion, but she doesn't push anything on you. She really understood the different styles we were looking for in different rooms and provided a fantastic range of suggestions in terms of furniture, fabrics, lighting fixtures, etc. You're in good hands!” - Jen Schwartz

“We LOVE it and we keep being surprised every time we turn around. Thank you so much for all of your great ideas, I love what you did in Matthew’s room and in Alec’s room and the hallway.. It just looks great!” - Corrine Schulman