Tiffani Von Alvensleben has a rare knack for interior design, and she has been able to leverage her creativity in her career in real estate. Today, the staff at Oceans 2003 caught up with Tiffani Von Alvensleben to chat about concepts in interior design.
Oceans 2003: How long have you been doing interior design?
Tiffani Von Alvensleben: I suppose that I’ve done interior design in one aspect or another for over 20 years now.
Oceans 2003: Tell us, where you get your inspiration?
Tiffani Von Alvensleben: Oh, all kinds of places. You know, I can see something like a pallet or an old hubcap and see a different practical use for it. One man’s trash and all that…
Oceans 2003: Do you watch interior design TV shows and read shelter-lit magazines?
Tiffani Von Alvensleben: Oh yes, definitely, and I get ideas from Pinterest sometimes as well.
Oceans 2003: What kind of interior design do you enjoy doing the most?
Tiffani Von Alvensleben: I especially love just being given a budget, then turned loose to redo a room and use my imagination.
Oceans 2003: What are some examples of specific tips you could pass on?
Tiffani Von Alvensleben: Find specific themes in a room that you can tie together, common elements.
Oceans 2003: Such as…?
Tiffani Von Alvensleben: Things like color schemes, materials, textures, geometric shapes, or time periods of certain items.
Oceans 2003: Sounds very informal.
Tiffani Von Alvensleben: Yes, definitely. Even subtle things like grouping things together in threes; it’s consistent, but understated.
Oceans 2003: What materials do you like to work with?
Tiffani Von Alvensleben: That’s hard to narrow down. Rough things like burlap, wrought iron, frosted glass, even concrete can look great in a room.
Oceans 2003: What about colors?
Tiffani Von Alvensleben: I love contrasts like neutral-colored walls and jewel-toned furnishings…
Oceans 2003: Is interior design costly?
Tiffani Von Alvensleben: It certainly doesn’t have to be!
Oceans 2003: Where do you shop for your design elements?
Tiffani Von Alvensleben: Places like consignment shops, Habitat for Humanity, architectural warehouses, yard sales, Goodwill…
Oceans 2003: I take it you like old, castoff objects then.
Tiffani Von Alvensleben: I love old, castoff objects! I think these things often have an intrinsic value that exceeds their worth.
Oceans 2003: It’s all part of re-imagining things…
Tiffani Von Alvensleben: Absolutely!
Tiffani Von Alvensleben is a serial entrepreneur and businesswoman living in the greater Sacramento area. Tiffani Von Alvensleben has a 20-year career in property management and real estate investment; today, Tiffani Von Alvensleben is manager of TLK Home Designs, which specializes in overhauling older homes and making them more salable in a tough real estate market.