Can you imagine being a child again and riding down the street in your neighborhood being captivated by the historic homes that line both sides of the street? The craftsmanship and architectural brilliance of it all fascinates your little young mind, cementing itself and leaving a lingering respect for historic charm that stays with you throughout your journey growing up.
This was true for Tiffany Cobb, a young girl who grew up in Detroit, who eventually evolved into an entrepreneurial powerhouse. By being thoroughly inspired by the grandeur of her childhood neighborhood, Tiffany carried this appreciation for detail and beauty into her studies at Morris Brown College, the Art Institute of Atlanta and eventually to owning her own interior design firm, Tiffany René Interior Design, LLC.
“During some of my toughest days in the classroom, I leaned on design to create a peaceful space,” Tiffany recalls. “That’s when I realized the transformative power of design and decided to pursue it full-time.”
Although bustling with passion and a determined spirit, Tiffany’s transition from student to entrepreneur was no easy feat. She faced countless challenges, including just how to marry her deep desire to serve those who may not be exposed to the impact of how transformative a good designer can be with her drive to bring beauty and purpose to everyday spaces.
“I wasn’t fully prepared for the business side of design,” Tiffany admits. “While I had the passion and confidence, I lacked the knowledge. It was challenging, especially when my professors weren’t forthcoming with answers [about running a business]. But I learned by doing and stayed determined to educate my community about the value of hiring a designer.”
Tiffany’s perseverance paid off. Over time, she not only built her business but also developed a mission to create spaces that inspire well-being and creativity. As someone who grew up not seeing many people in her circle hire designers, education to her clients became vital in establishing her place within the field.
“Breaking into an industry where I didn’t see many people who looked like me required a lot of resilience,” she shares. “But I learned to trust my unique perspective and stay true to my style.”
For Tiffany, the struggle to understand just where she fit in, while simultaneously establishing her own original technique and aesthetic, presented one of her biggest hurdles…overcoming self-doubt. By staying true to herself and by consistently delivering high-quality work to her clients, Tiffany has been able to not just start her business, but thrive in it. This commitment to authenticity led to her most cherished accomplishment, participating in a Designers Showhouse in the very neighborhood where her design journey began.
“It was a full-circle moment,” Tiffany reflects. “Bringing my love for design back to my roots and making an impact in my community was incredibly meaningful.”
Tiffany takes immense pride in her Detroit roots, therefore working on a project for designing a space where her passion first sparked was the opportunity of a lifetime. In Tiffany’s eyes, being able to contribute to her community in this way has served as the biggest reward for not only her career, but her own personal voyage towards success.
While Tiffany has truly hit her stride, maintaining balance is essential to her creative process. She prioritizes yoga, journaling, and therapy to stay grounded and focused, recently adding her sprinting journey with the Atlanta Track Club. Pursuing this personal goal has activated a new level of discipline that she believes will seamlessly transfer into her design practice, further enhancing her creative vision for clients. By prioritizing activities that nourish her mind and body, Tiffany can truly dial into her inspirations from travel and fashion while drawing on cherished childhood memories of her grandmothers, who instilled in her an appreciation for elegance and detail.
“My grandmothers were my first design influences,” Tiffany explains. “One always had Better Homes and Gardens magazines in her home, which I loved exploring as a child, and the other has an impeccable eye for luxury goods. Their unique styles and values have undoubtedly shaped my love for design.”
Looking ahead, Tiffany has ambitious goals that include growing her design firm and expanding her Love Thy Teacher initiative, a program aimed at supporting educators. She’s also committed to mentoring the next generation of designers, advocating for greater diversity in the industry, and fostering Detroit’s creative community as co-founder of Rivet Design Collective, a membership organization empowering local creatives through collaboration and education.
“I want to create spaces that inspire and make a meaningful impact. I hope to see more designers of color leading the way in this field,” Tiffany reveals.
This desire for mentorship in the next generation of designers only aids in Tiffany’s commitment to purpose-driven work. At her core, Tiffany believes that we are all accountable for the gifts we’ve been given, a responsibility she doesn’t take lightly. Tiffany strives to continue lifting up others and being an example of proven success. With her mantra, “Live Fancy,” she encourages others to approach life with intention and creativity, redefining what it means to live beautifully.
“Trust your voice and vision,” she advises those inspired to follow in her footsteps. “Your unique perspective is exactly what the industry needs. Keep learning, stay passionate, and never underestimate the power of your creativity.”
For Tiffany, design is not just about aesthetics. It’s about creating spaces that are functional, impactful, and meaningful—a philosophy she has carried from her historic Detroit roots to every space she touches.
Stay connected with Tiffany Cobb:
- Website: www.tiffanyrene.com
- Instagram: @tiffanyreneinteriordesigner
