The Uncorked Texan: Refreshing Spaces with a Thoughtful Eye

Creating spaces for myself and then my family has always been a passion of mine. From painting my college kitchen red with my roommates to renovating our first house as a married couple with my husband, design has always been a part of my life. 

Born and raised in Houston, Texas, I moved to Kansas City when I married my husband, John, in 2008. For the first several years that I lived in Kansas City, I would spend my weekends discovering new-to-me restaurants and sourcing items for our home. I quickly discovered that Kansas City had a wealth of small, unique home stores and monthly markets. I loved finding items that made our space feel like a home, like us. To date, it’s still one of my favorite things about KC.

Before I became a mom, I was in education for eight years. I taught children from all different backgrounds in both Houston and Kansas City and loved it, but knew when I had my own children, I wanted to be home with them. In 2013, our daughter was born, and two years later, our son arrived on the scene. 

In fall 2019, I began to get the itch to have something of my own, to channel my creative energy and ideas. I began to explore options, went to a creative weekend in Nashville hosted by the amazing Gen Sohr, started a Christmas decorating service with one of my best friends, and then signed up for a mastermind program with the KC Influence Group. All things that were completely out of my comfort zone but were so exciting. I was doing it scared, having the best time and meeting amazing people along the way. It was in the mastermind program that I began to create a business model, putting pen to paper about what I wanted my services to look like. 

And then we all know what happened next. COVID. Shelter in place. The thought of going in someone’s home to help refresh their space went completely out the window. And then I got pregnant with our newest little guy. But even with these life events happening, clients began to reach out, friends asked for help with their spaces, referrals started happening, and the creativity and flexibility that we’ve all used this last year began to move my business ideas into reality.

These days, my clients come to me with a variety of needs and wishes for their spaces. From sourcing lighting, to paint options, wallpaper, fabric for curtains, new furniture, or simply reworking a room to flow better for their family’s needs; there isn’t a task too big or too little for  my services.

With all of us spending so much time at home the past year, the feeling of wanting to torch it all and start from scratch is not an uncommon one! Myself included.

I believe that we are at our best when our homes are a place of peace and comfort and fit our lifestyle needs. Creating a space that fulfills this is so important. I also believe that your home should reflect the people who live there. Your friends and family should walk into your space and see YOUR stories. YOUR heart. It should feel like YOU. ■

Contact Laura at theuncorkedtexan.com, lbdyates@gmail.com or @theuncorkedtexan. @janellenorthwayphotography