The Black Goose Design is thrilled to introduce you to our newest designer. Say hello to Ciara Tunson. She comes to our team with years of extensive design experience and has much to offer.
Before joining our team, she ran her own design firm in Park City for nearly a decade and worked on the builder side of design for many years. She’s had homes featured in The Parade of Homes twice and clearly knows what’s what. One of her favorite quotes, which can be found on the homepage of her website, is:
“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” -Albert Einstein
Ciara definitely knows how to blend her impressive experience with joy, making any project she’s a part of more fun! Let’s get to know a bit more about her and check out some of her design work.
Q. Do you have a favorite design trend at the moment?
A. I actually tend to stay away from what’s considered “trendy.” I never want someone to see something I’ve worked on and say, “Oh, that’s so 2015!” Instead, I focus on looks that feel timeless and classic. Because of that, I’m able to work with any design preference a client may have—French Country, Farmhouse, Rustic, Modern, etc. Its fun to get into any design style and approach it from a place of wanting it to stand the test of time.
Q. Do you have a favorite space in the home to work on?
A. I have two, actually—the bathroom and the great room. Tile design is something I’ve always enjoyed, so I consider it a treat to work on a bathroom build or remodel. Tile can add such personality and unique detail.
The great room is a treat because it sets the tone for the entire house. It’s where people first walk in and congregate, and it’s the room that sets the tone for the entire house. If I can get the style of this space down, everything else flows.
The great room should speak to both the style of the home and the homeowner. For example, if a family is more casual and sees their home as a place to gather and relax, we’ll place a comfy sectional and other inviting fixtures. On the other hand, if the home has a more formal feel, big on wow-factor features, the room should reflect that with statement pieces.
Q. How do you know what a room and home vibe should be when you start a new project?
A. It’s all about getting to know my clients. I have a questionnaire that I start with. It asks about family size (do you have kids/grandkids), holiday plans (will the celebrations be in your home), and more! From there, I know how to get specific and create the ideal living space.
Just recently, I was working on a home for a family who loves to entertain for the holidays, and they have a big family. We installed three ovens. Sure, two of the three might only be used 2-3 times a year, but that’s okay if that’s what makes the gatherings easier and more enjoyable. We also looked at where serving platters would be stored… details like that, which are all factors that come with holiday entertaining.
Getting to know my clients and create THEIR space is a special part of what I do!
Q. If you had one piece of advice for someone about to embark on either a new build or a remodel, what would it be?
A. Hire a designer! I know this could seem self-serving, but I assure you it’s not. Hiring a designer can ultimately save you so much money and heartache. Ideally, hire a designer as early in the process as possible. The sooner we can get our hands on building plans, the easier it is for us to make changes. After all, change orders and rework after building has started can quickly add up and get expensive, but it can be hard to know what you’d change before the work has actually begun. That’s where a designer plays a huge role.
I do what I call a redline process with home plans. I’ll place furniture in real furniture sizes. I mark where light switches will go to ensure the placement truly works. Where would towel racks hang? I mark these details to ensure the placement realistically works with the other details in the space, and I go in depth. I know what to look for so you won’t have to be unpleasantly surprised or disappointed later on in the process.
A big trend I’m seeing right now in new builds is kitchen-sink windows that extend to the counter. It seems lovely in theory, but where would outlets go? Are you willing to dig into your gorgeous quartzite countertop in order to do pop-up outlets? What about the lack of backsplash and the problems that could arise? Trust me, the water damage can get gross quickly. Every time I point this fact out to a client, they request to have the home plans changed. This is just one of many examples that speaks to why hiring help is critical.
Ciara, we can’t wait to see what you do for our clients at The Black Goose Design. We already adore having you on the team.
Stop by The Black Goose Design and get to know Ciara. You’ll be glad you did!
Thursday Jun 26 2025
The Black Goose Design is thrilled to introduce you to our newest designer. Say hello to Ciara Tunson. She comes to our team with years of extensive design experience and has much to offer.
Before joining our team, she ran her own design firm in Park City for nearly a decade and worked on the builder side of design for many years. She’s had homes featured in The Parade of Homes twice and clearly knows what’s what. One of her favorite quotes, which can be found on the homepage of her website, is:
Ciara definitely knows how to blend her impressive experience with joy, making any project she’s a part of more fun! Let’s get to know a bit more about her and check out some of her design work.
Q. Do you have a favorite design trend at the moment?
A. I actually tend to stay away from what’s considered “trendy.” I never want someone to see something I’ve worked on and say, “Oh, that’s so 2015!” Instead, I focus on looks that feel timeless and classic. Because of that, I’m able to work with any design preference a client may have—French Country, Farmhouse, Rustic, Modern, etc. Its fun to get into any design style and approach it from a place of wanting it to stand the test of time.
Q. Do you have a favorite space in the home to work on?
A. I have two, actually—the bathroom and the great room. Tile design is something I’ve always enjoyed, so I consider it a treat to work on a bathroom build or remodel. Tile can add such personality and unique detail.
The great room is a treat because it sets the tone for the entire house. It’s where people first walk in and congregate, and it’s the room that sets the tone for the entire house. If I can get the style of this space down, everything else flows.
The great room should speak to both the style of the home and the homeowner. For example, if a family is more casual and sees their home as a place to gather and relax, we’ll place a comfy sectional and other inviting fixtures. On the other hand, if the home has a more formal feel, big on wow-factor features, the room should reflect that with statement pieces.
Q. How do you know what a room and home vibe should be when you start a new project?
A. It’s all about getting to know my clients. I have a questionnaire that I start with. It asks about family size (do you have kids/grandkids), holiday plans (will the celebrations be in your home), and more! From there, I know how to get specific and create the ideal living space.
Just recently, I was working on a home for a family who loves to entertain for the holidays, and they have a big family. We installed three ovens. Sure, two of the three might only be used 2-3 times a year, but that’s okay if that’s what makes the gatherings easier and more enjoyable. We also looked at where serving platters would be stored… details like that, which are all factors that come with holiday entertaining.
Getting to know my clients and create THEIR space is a special part of what I do!
Q. If you had one piece of advice for someone about to embark on either a new build or a remodel, what would it be?
A. Hire a designer! I know this could seem self-serving, but I assure you it’s not. Hiring a designer can ultimately save you so much money and heartache. Ideally, hire a designer as early in the process as possible. The sooner we can get our hands on building plans, the easier it is for us to make changes. After all, change orders and rework after building has started can quickly add up and get expensive, but it can be hard to know what you’d change before the work has actually begun. That’s where a designer plays a huge role.
I do what I call a redline process with home plans. I’ll place furniture in real furniture sizes. I mark where light switches will go to ensure the placement truly works. Where would towel racks hang? I mark these details to ensure the placement realistically works with the other details in the space, and I go in depth. I know what to look for so you won’t have to be unpleasantly surprised or disappointed later on in the process.
A big trend I’m seeing right now in new builds is kitchen-sink windows that extend to the counter. It seems lovely in theory, but where would outlets go? Are you willing to dig into your gorgeous quartzite countertop in order to do pop-up outlets? What about the lack of backsplash and the problems that could arise? Trust me, the water damage can get gross quickly. Every time I point this fact out to a client, they request to have the home plans changed. This is just one of many examples that speaks to why hiring help is critical.
Ciara, we can’t wait to see what you do for our clients at The Black Goose Design. We already adore having you on the team.
Stop by The Black Goose Design and get to know Ciara. You’ll be glad you did!