By Donna Heiderstadt

For 26-year-old Taylor Walker, the desire to pursue a degree in Interior Design at Appalachian University literally had its roots in her family tree. “My dad inspired me,” says Taylor. “He started Walker Woodworking in 2000, making custom furniture-grade cabinets, at that time, in his backyard. I spent many afternoons and summer days in the shop with him and always wanted to design something for him to make. Now, it’s what we get to do together every day.” 

As Senior Kitchen & Bath Designer at Shelby, NC-based Greenbrook Design, the interior design center for Walker Woodworking, Taylor’s typical day might now include a site measure, site install check-in, design meetings with clients, drawing and pricing at her desk, or a trip to the company’s custom shop to check in on projects in production.

Some moments stand out more than others, however, and for Taylor it was being asked to design the new kitchen of Seven Gables, a National Historic Preservation Home in Shelby, and seeing it through to completion. Other accomplishments include completing 100 projects within her first four years, resulting in a huge growth in sales over the past two years, and being invited to participate as a judge in the NKBA’s Innovative Showroom Contest 2023-2024.

Taylor says the one word that best describes her is “self-assured” — at a young age she designed a custom suite in her childhood bedroom with clean lines and functional storage — and that’s continuously reflected in her approach to work. She personally oversees the craftsmanship of each project, designing highly custom pieces with little restriction given her deep knowledge of how to integrate individual components to create high-quality cabinets. She says her personal design preference is mid-century modern, “but, of course, with 21^st-century technology incorporated.”

Engaged to be married in September 2025, Taylor says she and her fiancé, Brandon, create a work-life balance by leaving work — “at least most of it” — at the office. At home, they are dog parents to two sweet pups, Rudy and Rove, and like to spend their free time enjoying the company of family and friends. As for what the future holds, Taylor has two definite priorities. “I am looking forward to starting a family and one day building and designing my dream home,” she says.