Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Orr.
Hi Taylor, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My journey as a creative developed long before I began expressing myself through content creation and making handmade crochet pieces. Artistry has found me in challenging life seasons as far back as high school. Whether it was art classes, woodshop, or CAD, I have always flourished best creating with my mind, and most often with my own two hands. I went to college for Interior Design and spent my early 20’s working in the construction industry as a CAD assistant, Interior Design assistant, and even made my way to the eventual position of Project Developer. I love interior design, and I learned so much within those roles about furniture and finishes, the construction process, and my love for collaborating with customers to make their visions come to life. I also have a fulfilling personal life that I pour a lot of love into, as I am a natural homebody and have always kept family as my number one priority. In 2024, I suffered a miscarriage that deeply impacted me as a woman, as a wife, and as a girl who dreamt of becoming a mother when she grew up. This time of my life initiated a huge transition within myself, and I began questioning where my time, energy, and passion was currently being directed towards. I felt unbalanced, and I felt unsure, but I kept these questions mostly to myself. I then experienced a second pregnancy, called a molar pregnancy. It’s a nonviable pregnancy that can be potentially dangerous. Fortunately, mine was caught early, and I received emergency surgery. Unfortunately, the cells continued to divide, and I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia (GTN). I was referred to an oncologist in March 2025 to begin chemotherapy immediately. I was in treatment for 11 months, and just recently reached remission in March of this year. During that time frame, I experienced all ranges of emotions from fear, anxiety, and depression – to clarity, courage, and self-worth. One very important realization became clear to me… That health is often an overlooked blessing, and that I am foolish not to follow my deepest desires and biggest dreams. I have always been interested in content creation, and during chemotherapy I found crocheting to be a wonderful and rewarding distraction during treatment weeks and recovery weeks. I had a growing following on Tiktok, and I began sharing my interests, struggles, and daily life. I cover all things lifestyle including DIY and crafting, homemade recipes, beauty and fashion, and almost everything in-between. My goal for my content is to inspire other women to feel empowered in their femininity, to find joy in everyday life, and to feel confident in their own skin. In May of this year, I began selling my crochet pieces by word of mouth (and with the help of social media). It has brought me an immense amount of joy to create handmade bags and other wearable pieces for others. I love the collaboration with other likeminded individuals, as well as being able to express myself through my art and design. I have found this uncharted territory of entrepreneurship exciting and deeply motivating. It has healed me in a way that I believe only art can and has opened the doors to opportunities that I had only dreamed of up until now. I am on a mission to inspire other women that have felt lost or unsure of themselves to reclaim their own authority and to not be afraid to take the path less traveled. We must allow our experiences to teach us for the entirety of our lifetime and remain open to the changes that occur within those experiences that are beyond our control.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road at all, but I do answer that question with a chuckle. It has been an ongoing journey of re-discovering myself and staying curious. As I found my footing in the construction industry, I had a lingering sense that I had something within me that I was not allowing myself to explore. However, being a first-generation college graduate, I was afraid of this feeling of unsatisfaction. To me, it looked like instability I could not afford. But as life usually does, my experiences continuously brought me back to this unresolved inner conflict. Whether it was a job that wasn’t all it was chalked up to be, or an environment I couldn’t completely settle into, it seemed the forces of change followed me wherever I went. I began my cancer treatment on medical leave, and that was the first time in 5 years that I slowed down enough and stopped trying to outrun that feeling. 3 months into leave, I made the decision to quit my job. It wasn’t a decision I took lightly, and it was very scary at first. Luckily, our community rallied around us, and I had an abundance of support from my family. Sometimes the things that scare us the most are exactly the things we must shut out all noise for and run towards.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Ah, my work. What a loaded question. As far as my Interior Design work, there are a few projects that come to mind. I was able to work on many different custom homes, and I found the greatest pleasure in custom projects and custom design. I love color, I love different patterns and textures, and the projects that required the most out-of-the-box thinking hold the biggest places within my heart. I reminisce fondly on trips to the Michigan Design Center to source fabrics and furniture, and even a trip I took to High Point Market in North Carolina. I also adore working one on one with homeowners, and I believe Interior Design is the ultimate collaboration! As far as my social media presence and content creation – I dabble in everything and anything that interests me. I am a homemaker, and the home is a common thread that is woven through all of my passions. I am greatly inspired by Martha Stewart, and I do my best to make my corner of the internet cozy, inclusive, and full of useful information. I share what works for me & what doesn’t. I hope to connect with others inner sense of wonder through lifestyle vlogs, crafting, and soft living. I celebrate womanhood, and what that looks like for me – as a woman approaching her 30’s with a dedication to authenticity. I love to connect with other women that share similar values, and I smile at the thought that my content could influence another woman just like me to put herself out there! And as far as crochet goes, that is my brainchild that I am still getting to know. As I make more pieces, and gain more skill, I see a vision of potential craft shows, and maybe even a mercantile down the road. Crochet design was like a light in the dark as I was going through treatment, and I see myself caring for the craft and creating handmade pieces for a long time.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My biggest piece of advice is to be yourself. Even if being yourself sets you apart from other people. It’s actually a good thing to be your own person, to have a unique point of view, and to let go of judgement and perception. That wasn’t something that came easy to me. But again, life has a funny way of repeatedly presenting similar lessons in different forms until the growth that must take place happens. I was afraid to post at the beginning, I was afraid of what people would think, of who would judge me, or misinterpret my motivations. It wasn’t until the price of keeping myself small began to look like a cage of my own making, that I decided it was time for change. I also believe my fertility struggles and cancer journey brought out an inner strength and resilience I wasn’t aware I had until I needed it most. Sometimes, life will get you to a place where you feel there is nothing left to lose. That place for me became a checkpoint, a place to recalibrate and become something brand new. To take up space, to let go, and to collaborate with the universe in a way I hadn’t felt comfortable letting myself previously. As soon as that shift happened, it was like a freedom that I couldn’t believe I had left unexplored for so long.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://beacons.ai/taylorlifestylehome
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorlifestylehome
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@taylor.lifestylehome
