MKNLY Portraits—Caelan Tatz
Caelan Tatz sits at the intersection between interior designer and creative strategist, spearheading Black Chamber research and transforming insights into actionable design visions. Her tenure at McKinley Studios began in 2013 when she began as an intern. In her time with McKinley, she has worked on a wide range of projects, from boutique retail to luxury single family homes to market positioning for multi-tower developments. Her creative practice merges concept development, interior design, copywriting, graphics, and watercolour sketches (to tame and temper her perfectionism).
What is the first thing you do when you wake up?
Hit snooze. It’s also the second thing, third thing, fourth thing…
As a child, what did you think you wanted to be when you grew up?
I had to confirm this with my mom… she said “everything.” It’s still true.
What do you most admire about yourself?
My enthusiasm.
What are your keys to productivity?
To-do lists, time constraints, mild panic.
Where do you find inspiration?
The phenomena of light… how it dances off surfaces, creates patterns and reflections, diffuses through leaves and grasses… the way that it brings depth to everything. I’m always delighted by unexpected plays of light. Light is incredibly generous and the most important ingredient in good design. Our work would be nothing without light.
What is your favourite room in your house?
My front porch that faces down a tree-lined street. It is a connector and a protector… a place to arrive and depart and linger. It is truly the most used room of the house (after the kitchen of course!)
What are a few favourite things that you cherish in your home?
My guitar, my Japanese knife, and my watercolour moleskine.
What is your current obsession?
My horse, Spice. It was love at first sight and I knew I had to adopt her.
How do you typically spend a day off?
Exercising Spice (she’s a bit chunky).
What is your favourite city, and why?
New York City – arriving in New York makes you feel like you’ve been dropped into a current of creative energy. The city pulses with inspiration. I love the feeling of the world moving at 100 miles an hour.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Finding a job that I am excited about every day, even after 8 years.
One place in the world you’re dying to visit?
Top 3: 1) Australia, 2) Mexico City, 3) Portugal
What is your motto?
Every possibility exists simultaneously.
What’s your spirit animal, and why?
Probably an owl. They are inquisitive, they do their best work at night, they are wise yet flighty, cute yet ferocious. And they look shocked all the time.
What is the most beautiful word to you?
Synchronicity.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Two summers ago, I found myself swimming in a warm lake at midnight with one of my oldest, dearest friends. We looked back at the cabin, glowing with tiny lights and soft laughter, nestled under black pine trees and a twinkling sky, and she said, “this is a Moment, isn’t it?” And ever since then I’ve found the most happiness when I notice Moments, that is, when I’m lucky enough to realize that I’m in one.
