We had the good fortune of connecting with Dawn Heuer and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Dawn, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
After working as set designer and design producer for years on TV shows like Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and Trading Spaces, I had finally gained enough confidence from my experience, I felt it was time to open my own company to focus on serving private clients. I wanted to make good design accessible to everyone.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career happened by chance. I was working full time as a visual merchandiser at a local plant shop while going to design school online. Through a chance encounter with a film crew at the store, I was given the opportunity to work on the set of a home design show. A day later, the show hired me and I was on the road with the crew to finish filming the rest of the season.
There is where I got my start in a career that I didn’t know existed. I began working as a set design and art director for many shows including Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Trading Spaces, and Netflix’s Stayhere. After several years of working in the TV and film industry, I decided it was time to open my own full service design firm, The Heuer (Hoy-er) Design Collective.
Since opening we’ve worked on more than 20 projects in the Atlanta area and beyond. My set design background has proven invaluable when working with private clients. Now with a team of 3 women – we are ready to take on bigger and bigger projects. I’m so excited to see where the next year takes us.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love this question! My husband and I are obsessed with everything Atlanta — we truly think it is one of the best cities in the world. Here is my recommended weekend itinerary:
Friday Night:
Happy Hour at the Hotel Clermont rooftop to soak in the best views of Atlanta at sunset. Then head to dinner at White Bull in Decatur. This was the first restaurant my husband and I ate at before moving here. We immediately fell in love with the food and the atmosphere and the incredible staff. Protip: sit at the bar and ask George, the bartender, to make you the perfect cocktail. Next up, after dinner absinthe cocktails at Kimball House — you only need one!
Saturday:
First stop — Brunch at Pancake Social, followed by shopping at Ponce City Market to pick up a bouquet from JJ’s Flower Shop or a something unique from Sustainable Home Goods. From there hit the Beltline and stop in for drinks at Lady Bird. Head a littler further down the Beltline for lunch at Krog Street Market, they have something for everyone. Next stop, the Highlands for a little shopping at Urban Cottage followed up with martini’s and steaks at Highland Tap.
Sunday:
Sunday brunch at Sun in my Belly — our local Kirkwood breakfast joint! From there head down to downtown Kirkwood for a wine tasting at Don Beijios and pick up sweet treats from Evergreen Butcher + Baker. Then hop in the car to head up north to Milton to shop at the prettiest design shop, The Stevie Collective. Round out the weekend with a trip to Fetch Park with the dog!
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
To my family; my husband James for his constant support and unwavering love and to our daughter, Catherine, everything I do is for you.
Website: https://www.heuerdesigncollective.com
Instagram: dawnmarieheuer
Image Credits
Alea Moore