Tahnee Sauer is the chief creator and maker behind Tahnee Rose Design. Rather than focusing on one type of project, she is guided by moments of inspiration and vision of potential for each unique find. Armed with a blend of interior design knowledge and an arsenal of power tools, she repurposes, up-cycles, refinishes, and reworks items to new purpose with one-of-a-kind character.

Projects range in size from cocktail trays to vintage travel trailers. From stitches to Sawzalls.

1. Why did you move to Elgin?

When I started house shopping a few years back, I had a few deal breakers: no suburban track houses, a yard big enough to park a 31 ft airstream project, and something with architectural character. I quickly realized that I was on the hunt for a unicorn in Austin and expanded the search. When venturing further, I landed on Elgin being close enough to a job in Austin, but far enough away to offer the space for projects and great views of the stars at night. Since moving here I’ve found several wonderfully creative people and find it a great balance of small-town, without being too far from anything.

2. What compels you to spend time creating?

Well for starters it’s definitely NOT a blank page; when I’m faced with an ominous blank page I go into creative paralysis! Most all my projects start out when I find the first part or piece – this could be a scrap of fabric, old chair, wooden frame or colorful “junk” – when I happen across it, my mind immediately starts running through options and possibilities of what it could turn into. I can see the vision clearly and want to transform it from overlooked into a well-designed piece. Creating fills me up, brings me joy, and helps me feel grounded in my truest self.

3. Tell me three things you’ve learned in the past five years.

Do less and do it better; for a lot of my life, my to-do list is overflowing and headed in a lot of different directions. the more I focus on the few things that are really important to me, the more successful I can be in those efforts.

Turn inward. I’ve grown to realize how much wisdom is in each of us. When faced with a difficult situation or decision, the decisions I’m most happy with come from tapping into my inner truth.

Disappoint everyone else before disappointing yourself. I don’t mean to act in ways that are at the expense of others, but to live strong in your own values. Do what fulfills you, drives you, and brings you joy in your one wild and beautiful life. Don’t sacrifice those things to serve someone else’s desires.

4. What are you currently making, reading, watching, or listening to?

Making: I have a few projects in the works: I’m refinishing a small wooden rocking horse, testing out yoga bag creation using recycled fabric samples, and designing the water system on my vintage trailer rebuild.

Watching: The HBO series “Undone”; I love a good murder-mystery story or psychological thriller.

Listening: I’m a slow reader, so I consume a lot of audiobooks and podcasts. Currently in my earphones: “Untamed” by Glennon Doyle, “You’re Welcome” with Hilary Rushford, and random music mixes on Pandora.