DESIGNER DIALOGUES - APRIL TOMLIN OF APRIL TOMLIN INTERIORS
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
When I think about what differentiates us humans from other created beings, I think of beauty.
No other creature stops to admire a flower in bloom or looks twice at the sky when the setting sun paints it in stunning shades. That seemingly frivolous appreciation is uniquely human. And I think it is a gift.
I think about this often when considering the importance of design in our lives. Design is about more than the material; it is about embracing something fundamental to our nature. We want to be surrounded by beauty. We want to be moved by it, to stand in awe of it, to experience wonder.
The reason we climb mountains to take in a breathtaking view is the same reason we carefully curate our homes. We want to surround ourselves with things that delight us, inspire us, and reflect what moves us. Not simply so that we can gaze upon beautiful things, but because we sense that this divine gift has the power to change the way we feel, the way we see, and ultimately, the way we live.
In today’s Designer Dialogue, I am thrilled to introduce you to April Tomlin, whose work demonstrates the transformative power of design. Through her Nashville-based design firm, April Tomlin Interiors, she and her team strive to create stunning spaces that are deeply reflective of their clients and the beauty that they find meaningful.
Throughout our conversation, April shares her design philosophy, how she got her start, details in a home that she admires, and more. I hope you find her answers, as well as her work, inspiring and that they encourage you to spend time pondering beauty and how it shapes the way you live.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR DESIGN STYLE, AND HOW HAS IT EVOLVED SINCE YOU FIRST BEGAN INTERIOR DESIGN?
I have always had a more masculine style when it comes to interior design. I have always enjoyed neutrals, wood, stone, and things that feel more natural. I would say after having two little girls, my style has grown along with them. Currently, in the home I am building, I am painting the pantry pink and doing a yellow floral sofa. For starters, they think my design style is terrible (they don't say it in a mean way, but are quick to tell me that they want our home to feel more fun and colorful).
I think somewhere on my journey alongside them, my design style changed into wanting a home to feel like they live there, not just me. I want them to have the happiest memories and want to come home. So, currently I am leaning a little more classic and colorful than normal.
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR PATH INTO INTERIOR DESIGN. WHAT FIRST DREW YOU TO THE FIELD? WAS THAT ALWAYS THE PLAN?
No, interior design was absolutely not the plan. I grew up with a single mom who worked 3 jobs in the inner city of Memphis until junior high. My mom ran her grandad's plumbing company, sold real estate, and dabbled in home building. In junior high, we moved to a better area into a home that my mom built. Then we moved again into another home she built during high school. We didn't have a lot of money to go around, so there was no art on the walls or rugs—just each other, really. I didn't know until after college that interior design was a job. As you can imagine, I did not grow up knowing any interior designers.
Fast-forwarding to college, that's where I really started caring about the aesthetics of any space I was living in. I would change out all of the lighting in any apartment I had and repaint, even if it was against the rules. I eventually ran into people who did interior design and started taking some classes. Around 27, is when a company hired me to decorate their lobby and the owner's personal condo. From there, the coach of the Titans saw the office and hired me to design their home. I was still working full-time. My next client was a music business manager, who then referred me to her client, Jason Aldean. That was when I knew I had to commit to this full-time.
I truly believe that my path to this position is borderline miraculous. The only thing I can say is that this is the path God wanted me to have; He gave me the talent, the direction, and the clients, and I think that is the only way this has happened.
CAN YOU SHARE A RECENT PROJECT YOU LOVED WORKING ON, AND WHAT MADE IT ESPECIALLY MEANINGFUL?
One of the projects that I loved working on was a home on the lakeside of 30a. The client was older but still had this creative side, so she really let us run with bold choices. I loved the client, the views, and the design of that house.
A few years ago, my mother-in-law and father-in-law bought a significant amount of land and gifted each of their children a portion, along with assistance to start building their homes. So I have been working on all three homes for the last three years, focusing most on my mother-in-law's. Now that they are moved in, I am really starting to hone in on the details of my family's home. It has been special because we will all live fairly close together, and the cousins will get to have this running through each other's yards type of childhood.
ARE THERE ANY MATERIALS, FINISHES, OR COLORS YOU’RE LOVING RIGHT NOW?
I am really loving unpainted brick homes, copper, welcoming entries, sun porches, garden-style rooms, rich wood tones, painted wood floors, and yellow for some reason.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT WORKING & LIVING IN TENNESSEE?
I was raised in Tennessee. I love how some of the homes I might be doing lean a little modern if they are headed downtown, but I can also work on countryside properties as you head toward Franklin, or a historically traditional home in the heart of Belle Meade.
Although I don't like most of the architecture happening in Nashville at the moment—because everything is starting to look very boxed and too modern—I still get to work on a wide variety of projects.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ROOM IN A HOME TO DESIGN AND WHY?
I really love working on kids' rooms when a client wants to invest money there, because you can try all of the colors you have been wanting to use, and the clients are usually okay with it. I love working on true dining spaces or rooms that do not require the most functions, like appliances and TVs.
IF YOU WEREN’T A DESIGNER, WHAT OTHER PATH COULD YOU IMAGINE YOURSELF PURSUING?
I honestly would just want to be a stay-at-home mom if I didn't do this.
IS THERE A PROJECT DETAIL THAT CLIENTS OFTEN OVERLOOK BUT DESIGNERS APPRECIATE?
I think wall treatments—whether it's wallpaper, wood, plaster, or moldings—are all very important. I also think real art and good framing are important. When I get to the end of a project and realize the client doesn't want any nice pieces of art, it kind of puts a little rip in my heart.
WHAT’S THE BEST WAY FOR PEOPLE TO STAY CONNECTED WITH YOU AND FOLLOW ALONG WITH YOUR LATEST PROJECTS?
Well, I am not great at Instagram, but that is one way to follow along. Every once in a while, I also post a higher-production YouTube video showcasing some of the homes we have designed.
Thank you so much to April Tomlin for taking the time to share her insights and her work with us. We would love to hear your thoughts on her feature in the comments below.
xx,
Brooke
too masculine, and too perfect
Fun interview!! Enjoyed photos & dialogue!! KUDOS!! franki