Oh My Styled Life

CEO + Creative Director Kate O’Hara shares her takeaways from The Marketplace’s recent panel discussion on the future of the Austin interior design industry

On a summer evening in Austin, O’Hara Interiors CEO and Creative Director Kate O’Hara joined a group of design leaders for a conversation that felt both timely and deeply rooted in place. The panel, hosted by The Marketplace and moderated by its founder Anita Erickson, brought together voices from across the design spectrum – OHI’s own Kate O’Hara, Megan Lin of CoXist Studio, Liz MacPhail of Liz MacPhail Interiors, Lara Hallock of Luxe Interiors + Design, and Can Cakmak of ICON – to explore the future of design in one of the country’s fastest-evolving cities. But for O’Hara, one theme stood out above all: infrastructure. 

“When you want to talk about the future of a city, it’s easy to talk about the things you love about it,” she reflected after the event, “but without an actual plan for supporting infrastructure, there’s really nothing to build upon other than that sentimentality for what you love.” 

Held at The Marketplace, which recently celebrated its two-year anniversary, the event underscored the importance of long-term thinking, particularly as Austin grows.  

O’Hara noted that while the panelists came from varied design and build backgrounds, they shared a deep appreciation for Austin’s creative spirit. “There’s a lot of excitement around Austin as a design center. What seemed pretty unanimous was this sense of Austin being really a specific place for the specific perspective that needs to be fostered.” 

Interested in Austin style? View our portfolio of new construction and remodel projects in the Austin area.

Still, she cautioned against staying too insular within the design industry: “We’re in a bit of an echo chamber because we’re often talking to people within the same industry… we actually have to go where people are designing the city and what comes next for us all.” O’Hara recommends getting involved in local Chambers of Commerce and collaborating with Austin’s local leaders across industries. 

In her view, infrastructure isn’t just about roads or zoning that allow for new buildings and businesses – it’s also about the sustainability of the existing creative businesses that are behind Austin’s forward-thinking reputation. “We need to be charging enough to keep our businesses running. And if you want to have a team with longevity who stays with you, you have to create a healthy work environment with time to recharge, regroup, and to stay creative.” 

Read O’Hara’s interview with Business of Home Magazine on how interior design businesses and roles evolve.

O’Hara also praised Austin’s builder community for their role in supporting the future flourishing of Austin interior design: “The builders of Austin have really embraced the importance of interior designers, sometimes faster than in other cities. Although they’re working around unusual limitations or sometimes challenging situations, they are partners to the designers in seeing their creative visions through.” 

What comes next for Austin interior design will take more than talent and vision – it will take structure, advocacy, and a commitment to designing not just homes, but the city itself. 

Are you considering a home project in Austin, Texas? Inquire about O’Hara Interiors’ pre-construction, interior design, and furnishings services today.