Howdy 👋 I’m Nan Poole!
We are so thrilled to introduce our newest Thielmate, the extremely talented Ms. Nan Poole! Our culture relies not only on attracting top-tier talent but also top-notch people with big hearts. What does that mean? Well, a couple things.
First off, designers can be a fussy bunch. We’re famous for being prima donnas and aspiring community staples, which often leads to bigger heads than we really prefer to have around here. And while we definitely want our team members to project enthusiasm and confidence in their work, we want to make sure that doesn’t get in the way of being team players and lifelong learners. This is a team sport, of sorts.
Secondly, we want our team members to have a heart for service. We can achieve SO, SO MUCH when we’re banding our talents together to honor our clients’ projects and respective objectives … rather than focusing on our own promotion. That glory we chase will eventually come, but it can’t be the main objective. Our purpose is to pour immeasurably more into our clients and into our fellow Thielmates. We seek to build a culture that is somewhat hard to come by in this industry: uplifting, inspiring, motivating, cooperative, loyal, safe, and fun.
Those are the qualities we seek in every new hire (and hold accountable in every longtime team member), and precisely the qualities we find in Nan. We can’t wait for you to meet her!
T&T: So! You’re an interior designer. What is your favorite part about your job?
Nan: Three big elements that I love about my role as a designer:
Variety. Day-in and day-out, it’s always something different. No two jobs or clients are the same.
Graphic communication. It’s key to selling your idea to the client. Successful construction and/or installation depends on it. I love the challenge of coming up with efficient ways of explaining my ideas visually.
The reward of seeing the fruition of my work and ideas come to life. Knowing my ideas and work will be experienced by others; and the impact they will make is the icing on the cake.
Is this what you’ve always wanted to do? If not, what did you dream about growing up to be one day?
What’s your education background?
Did you work anywhere else before joining Thiel & Thiel?
What have you enjoyed the most about T&T so far?
What’s the biggest misconception out there about designers that just drives you nuts?
Oh wow! That’s hard to pick just one …
1) Interior designers just pick out paint and furniture … FALSE! Even if that was all we did, have you ever looked at a paint fandeck?! The possibilities are endless! Same with furniture, there’s more than meets the eye.
2) Interior design and interior architecture are the same as interior decorating. ALSO FALSE!
3) Flip flops are appropriate job-site/construction site footwear … FALSE! Thanks HGTV!
Who are your design heroes?
In no specific order: Dorothy Draper, Jonathan Adler, Alexander Gerard, Charles and Ray Eames, Josef Hoffmann, and Louis Sullivan.
What kind of styles or aesthetics do you want to see more (or less) of in the next wave of interiors trends? Anything in particular you can’t stand or can’t get enough of?
What do you read / watch / seek out in order to stay on top of your profession? Any industry magazines, conferences, etc.?
How would you describe your personal design style?
When it comes to my personal style, it is impossible for me to stay in one lane; I guess you could label it as “eclectic”. I love mixing and matching things together that would seem to most as unconventional. Good design, to me, is something that sparks my curiosity or makes think “I never would’ve thought that would work but, here it is working!” It is important to me that spaces feel personal, unique and authentic. I prefer quality vintage furniture and décor over the mass produced. Bonus fact: I’m also determined to incorporate leopard print into as many rooms of my home as possible. It’s 2019…. leopard print is a neutral.
Have you traveled anywhere lately?
Favorite Saturday Night Live skits. Go:
- The Californians
- The Target Lady
- Garth & Kat on Weekend Update
- Brian Fellow’s Safari Planet
What are you listening to on repeat?
Leon Bridges, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Tyler Childers, Greta Van Fleet, Lizzo, The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, Kacey Musgraves, and Ed Sheeran to name a few.
How do you stay organized?
What does your workspace look like?
Do you have a mantra or favorite quote?
“You have to go wholeheartedly into anything in order to achieve anything worth having.”- Frank Lloyd Wright
“From a tiny spark may burst a mighty flame.” – Dante
Rank the most popular holiday drinks from best to absolute worst:
1. Pumpkin Chai Latte (way better than your PSL)
2. Wassail (A trend of me liking my drinks to taste like holiday baking spices)
3–36 […]
37. Pumpkin Spice Latte (disgusting…even it wants to be a pumpkin chai latte)
38. Getting hit by a car
39. Eggnog
How do you sign off with your emails?
If you woke up tomorrow and decided you wanted to do something completely different with 100% conviction besides being a talented designer, what would it be?
A ranch manager. I took animal science for one of my science credits while at Texas Tech. I loved every second of it. I could look at a cow and tell you what breed and crossbreed it was. In my second life, I wouldn’t mind being a ranch manager and working with animals. For now, I will stick to designing, I enjoy getting manicures.
Do you have any hidden talents?
Diagnosing myself and others on WebMD (editor’s note: lol, don’t do this), speaking in front of large crowds, my green thumb, dramatic karaoke performances, and my wicked craft skills are just a few. I love a good craft project. I’ve hand-sewn and handmade about 90% of all of the ornaments on my Christmas tree.
What’s something surprising about you that nobody would ever expect?
