Meet Teal and Wendy

Teal Davison (left), Wendy Scott (right).

Welcome! Get ready to meet the dynamic duo of design, Teal Davison and Wendy Scott! These two design aficionados are all set to spill the beans on their design adventures, with a hefty dose of bloopers and candid advice – from the do's to the oh-no-don'ts.

Teal and Wendy both discovered their passion for designing spaces in their 30s. Lesson #1: It's never too late to dive into something you love!

Let's meet Teal - Teal hails from Madison, Wisconsin, where she grew up in a household brimming with creativity. Her mom was a self-made interior designer, and her dad had style for days, especially when it came to haberdashery (fancy word for men's clothing). The family home was always a colorful and unique space that drew in guests like bees to honey. That's where Teal's design journey kicks off.

When she headed to boarding school, Teal found herself longing for that cozy feeling of home, even in her dorm room. College wasn't any different, where she aimed to make dorm rooms and crash pads feel more like a comfortable retreat and less like a post-party disaster zone.

Teal initially worked in sports marketing, but her big design epiphany came at the age of 30, which was, of course, only yesterday (wink). She took the plunge into the world of design when she bought her first property to remodel and sell. The process was a whirlwind of excitement, decisions flowed like a breeze, and with positive feedback, her destiny was set in stone! For 15 years, Teal has been diving into ground-up construction, tackling projects big and small, and mastering the art of interior design.

Meet Wendy - At the ripe age of 3, Wendy achieved her first major design milestone - winning a coloring contest at the local grocery store! Her prize? A glorious gallon of ice cream, which only fueled her passion for creating.

Wendy's design journey officially kicked off after graduating from Oregon State University with a degree in fine art, with an emphasis in graphic design. She dove into the world of marketing and design, initially working for a restaurant chain in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

Wendy then took her talents to Nike, where she joined the Global Design team. Eventually, she followed her curiosity and recruited for Global Footwear for many years before deciding to dive into the unknown leading recruiting teams for Tesla Engineering. Following Tesla, she consulted and led recruiting for tech startups in the Bay Area. While recruiting was Wendy’s passion, she found parallels between interior design and recruiting to be the perfect blend of what she loves — project management, setting expectations, sourcing (materials and furniture now instead of people), problem solving, and working on an intense timeline!⁠

Wendy decided to launch her own design business after her home was featured on the 2022 Portland Modern Home Tour, and she followed it up with a client project that was featured in 2023. For Wendy, every day is a canvas, and she delights in playing with color and curating spaces. It's safe to say she's found her happy place!

But how did they come together? But you might wonder, how did these two design dynamos crossed paths? Well, it all began in a workout class, of all places. Wendy, an extrovert who usually prefers the back of the class, couldn't help but notice Teal, who always boldly held her ground at the front. Teal had a knack for catching the instructor's eye, but in a good way. And, in a room filled with folks decked out in the usual black workout gear, Teal and Wendy were the colorful standouts.

It was over a matcha latte, in the cozy embrace of a booth, that the seeds of Teal & Scott were planted. Fueled by Teal's infectious personality, laughter, and a shared love for design, their journey began. Teal's expertise in construction and design combined seamlessly with Wendy's tech and corporate background that had evolved into a passionate love for design (with a knack for styling!). It was a match made in design heaven, and these two know the ins and outs of their craft. They're experts in working with people, pushing the boundaries, and creating spaces that are nothing short of exceptional. The best part? They're not afraid to embrace the spirit of experimentation every step of the way.

Now let’s get to know them better through some bonus questions.

What should everyone know about their designers before they "get into bed" with them?

TEAL: Beds are expensive ! HA! It is essential to think about how you want the space to flow and be utilized. A skilled designer should not only respect your preferences but also push the boundaries of your design aspirations whilst keeping budget transparency. This should be fun! Interview your designer and pay attention to the energy and how you feel. Design has a lot to do with gut, trust yours.

WENDY: Everyone has a design style, so you should know if your design style matches their style. Have you looked at the portfolio of the design team you are planning to hire? Have you made your own inspiration board of what you like? You should meet them and see if your personalities click.

What are your favorite design styles?

TEAL: I have a big personality, which might explain why my design reflects a calmer vibe. To me, “warm contemporary” means comfortable ambiance created by harmonious tones and rich textures, and carefully placed pops of color. I love the subtle interplay of materials like white oak, mohair, boucle, and stone. Occasionally, a touch of terrazzo may find its way into the mix, accentuated by brass elements; my passion for perfect lighting is real!

WENDY: I'm more drawn to maximalist than minimalist design, though I appreciate all design styles. What really makes me "oooo and ahhhh" is a floor to ceiling gallery wall on an oversized wall with unexpected prints. I love rich and bright colors, a mix of textures, and purpose and meaning in the design, no matter what style.

Wendy’s living room.

Teal’s living room mantel.

Favorite iconic place / hotel / location, and design reasons why?

TEAL: I had the privilege of embarking on a remarkable design journey alongside my architect and designer uncle through the captivating cities of Antwerp, Belgium, and Paris. The immersive encounters with local art and personal spaces of talented designers left an indelible mark on my design journey. Antwerp, in particular, proved to be an absolute design haven.

WENDY: Two of my favorite hotels/locations are the Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur and the Frank Lloyd Wright Kaufmann house in Palm Springs. Anything built into a hillside with a view always takes my breath away. I'm also a huge sucker for anything where the outside is brought inside, and you feel like you are one with nature.

What excites you about design?

TEAL: In construction, I love the day the electrical goes in. We have put all this work into space planning, tile, lighting and flooring and you imagine and hope for a great turnout. But when the lights go in that's usually one of the last pieces of finish work and it’s proof that the hard work paid off. We are literally electrified. In design, I love install day. After we have waited months for rugs, shopped art, debated chairs, sat in sofas, made compromises and splurges, install day is the yahoo moment. We did it, it’s in and we can start livin’.

WENDY: Every aspect of the construction and design process is exciting, but bringing the furniture and accessories in for install day is the highlight for me. It’s that final moment where you can see your vision come to life and the excitement of your clients! If I had to choose one other favorite part, it would likely be demo. That means the project is officially underway and you can now visualize the project in a different way than you could before with an open space and a truly blank slate.

What would you say is the most essential furniture piece in the home?

TEAL: The most significant piece of furniture in my house is my BED! The bedroom should serve as your personal sanctuary, evoking a sense of calm, comfort, and above all, coziness. When it comes to the bed, the headboard plays a crucial role in providing both comfort and functionality. Opting for an upholstered headboard allows for the added luxury of leaning back against it. However, the mattress itself is no joke! They are expensive and worth it! Investing in a high-quality mattress is essential since we spend roughly half our lives sleeping. It's vital to test and choose one that ensures maximum comfort and promotes good sleep to attack your day. If you don't love your bedroom, let’s get started !

WENDY: The accent chair is #1 for me. A good chair can add so much personality to a room! Next behind the accent chair, I would say COUCH. Your couch can determine how people feel when they sit in your space. Do you want them to feel relaxed? Then you want a deeper couch with possibly a chaise. If you want a more formal feel, you would choose a couch that is shallow. Deciding how you will use the couch will impact your choice of material. And finally color choice… I’m a sucker for a COLORFUL sofa. :)

What can people look forward to?

TEAL: I am psyched as I embrace the opportunity to share my innate knowledge and expertise. We aim to be a lighthearted, humorous, and approachable resource for individuals in this sometimes intimidating business. It would make me so happy to hear someone say, "I followed your advice on arranging pillows" or "I collaborated with my contractor and made a crucial change in time”.

WENDY: You’ll witness two efficient, decisive, and stylish humans partnering together to create an amazing product. With Teal's expertise in construction and interior design, and my attention to detail and amazing ability to style, it's going to be a killer combo for those who follow along.

We are so excited to share our world with you, stay tuned!