Does the state of your home really reflect the state of your mind? That’s a question for the experts, but the space that we live in does seem to have the ability to affect our mood. Walking into a clean, well-designed space can bring a sense of peace and contentment to both owners and visitors alike — and Heather Werking, owner and lead designer for Werking Design & Décor, says her clients’ happiness is her measure of success.
“I believe it is important to work closely with each client to understand their lifestyle needs and personal style, and I pride myself on the ability to integrate those unique client needs into a complete design aesthetic,” said Werking, who has been working in interior design for nearly a decade.
If the name Werking Décor seems familiar, you may have seen it — Werking’s retail store sits in the heart of downtown Apex, offering an eclectic mix of vintage, new, and found home furnishings. The recent launch of werkingdesign.com is the latest business expansion to grow the brand and offer these unique products on a national level.
When she’s not designing functional, aesthetic spaces, Werking can often be found hunting for vintage treasures in Apex and beyond. We recently caught up with her to learn more about the business of interior design, her creative process, and how it all werks for her clients across the Triangle.
Spotted in the mirror: Heather Werking, owner and lead designer for Werking Design and Décor.
When did Werking Design & Décor open, and what was the inspiration behind its opening?
My passion for design and décor started in childhood and grew into a vocational pursuit in my teens. After high school, I followed that passion to design school in Pittsburgh, PA. After schooling, like many young adults, life steered me in a direction that had nothing to do with my intended career. After being a stay-at-home mom and subsequently establishing a successful career as a director of sales for a software company, I finally had the opportunity to revisit my passion for design and décor and pursue my dream of being my own boss. In 2015, with the support of my husband and two children, I began my amazing adventure.
What interior design services do you offer your residential and commercial customers?
I offer residential and commercial design services in the Triangle and beyond. The process begins with an in-home design consultation to discuss the scope of the project and learn more about the client. I provide a proposal, and if the client wants to move forward, we schedule a project start date and we get to work. I take care of everything from design presentation, ordering furniture and décor, to installation and staging of the items.
Tell us more about your retail store in downtown Apex!
Werking Décor is my retail flagship store in downtown Apex. It opened in July of 2020. We offer a unique variety of vintage, new, and found home furnishings and accessories. It began with the simple idea of bringing the best curated finds to the admirers of old, well-loved, and often forgotten. I added pieces from the modern era, crafted by artisans and makers. What I found was an appreciation for a style that stood out from the rest, all on its own.
Owner and designer Heather Werking holds up vintage Indian saris used as throws.
What is your creative process?
My creative process begins with understanding the needs and wants of a particular client, then evolves into bringing that vision to life with mood boards and renderings that depict colors, textures, and an overall vibe for a space. Mood boards and renderings are the most tedious parts of the process, yet the most enjoyable aspect of the design process for me.
Where do you find inspiration?
My inspiration for a specific design can come from a special piece of art that the client wants to incorporate. It can come from a rug, a wallpaper, or even a pillow. It’s really about what speaks to the client, and then infusing all the design details that complete a space.
What is currently trending in the design world?
Trends? Never mind trends! Make it yours. Use colors, textures, and styles that YOU love, not what is trending. Trends come and go, but a space that reflects YOU will never go out of style.
At Werking Design and Décor, every display is a work of art.
What previous design projects are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of a project in Raleigh where the clients trusted the process. They trusted me to execute the design based on their likes and dislikes, then let me move forward with no hesitation. The process is much more efficient with the trust from a client, and without too many opinions along the way. In the end, I was hired back to help with more spaces in their home, and I have been working with them for three years.
What do you love about your job?
What I love most about my job is the ability to use my creative outlet every single day. I am constantly shopping for old things, sourcing new vendors, and dreaming up new spaces. Doing what I love for a living is a blessing!
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