Today we’d like to introduce you to Tara Candice.
Hi Tara Candice, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
The Creative Professional: A Journey from NYC to NC
I’ve always felt fortunate to come from a beautifully blended family that prioritized both the “maker” spirit and the analytical mind. With a lineage of jewelers, carpenters, and clothing manufacturers alongside professionals in business and psychology, I was raised in a world where creativity and strategy were never mutually exclusive.
My “classroom” as a young girl was the heart of New York City. I grew up navigating the textures of the Garment District and the timeless architecture of Greenwich Village, learning the ropes of design, manufacturing, and quality control from the ground up. Before I was ever designing rooms, I was obsessed with the details of my dollhouse—a piece handcrafted by my grandfather—sewing tiny window treatments and sourcing “fabrics” for towels to ensure every corner had a special touch.
That childhood curiosity eventually evolved into a dual-path career. I spent years in the corporate world, anchoring my passion with a solid foundation: earning both undergraduate and graduate degrees, alongside advanced industry certifications. However, my heart remained in the tactile world of interiors. After years of working for a high-end interior designer and later for a commercial builder, I realized that my true calling was merging that big-picture corporate discipline with the intimate, one-on-one process of working with homeowners.
Design with Intention
In 2025, I founded The Green Level Home, LLC to serve as a bridge between high-end aesthetics and real-life functionality. My approach is rooted in problem-solving; I love the “puzzle” of a challenging floor plan as much as the final styling of a room. I view my role as a coach, helping homeowners unearth their unique style and implementing it seamlessly so their home feels intentional, personal, and—most importantly—truly lived in.
A Collaborative Spirit
Design is never a solo act. I am incredibly proud to work alongside a trusted team of master contractors whom I trust in my own home just as much as I trust them in my clients’. Together, we offer a complete suite of services—from full-scale remodels and new builds to custom organization solutions—meeting our clients exactly where they are in their journey.
Since planting roots in North Carolina, I have been constantly inspired by the local talent and the stunning homes that define this region. It is a privilege to contribute to the beauty of the NC landscape, one thoughtful space at a time.
At a Glance: The Green Level Home, LLC
Our Philosophy: We believe a home should be a reflection of the people who live within its walls. Our mission is to blend “hotel-casual luxury” with the practical needs of everyday life, ensuring that every design is as functional as it is beautiful.
The Experience: Whether you are navigating a new build, a full-scale renovation, or seeking custom organization to reclaim your space, we provide a guided, stress-free experience from the first floor plan to the final finishing touch.
Connect With Us:
Specialty: Transitional modern design, sustainable furniture restoration, and high-end organization.
Service Area: Proudly serving the Raleigh-Durham area and across North Carolina.
Contact: www.greenlevelhome.com or Instagram: @thegreenlevelhome
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
While I am constantly inspired by the incredible wealth of local talent here in North Carolina—and I truly believe there is room for all of us to thrive—the road isn’t without its hurdles. Like many of my peers in the industry, I’ve had to pivot through a rapidly changing economic climate where the costs of quality textiles and skilled labor have climbed significantly. Beyond the numbers, there is the delicate art of managing the “human” element of design. We live in an era of instant gratification, yet the reality of a high-end project often involves navigating supply chain delays or coaching clients through the “decision fatigue” that naturally comes when investing in their forever home. I’ve learned that being a great designer also means being a transparent project manager—being honest about the true timeline of a custom build, resisting the allure of “fast furniture” in favor of pieces that last, and setting realistic expectations from the start. These challenges haven’t dampened my passion; instead, they’ve refined my process, making the final reveal of a perfectly executed, intentional space that much more rewarding.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Green Level Home, LLC?
The Heart of the Home: What We Do at The Green Level Home
At its core, The Green Level Home, LLC is a full-service interior design and custom organization firm, but I prefer to think of us as partners in lifestyle elevation. We specialize in taking a project from “concept to cushion”—handling everything from the initial architectural floor plans and contractor coordination to the final styling of a shelf.
Our Specialty: “Hotel-Casual Luxe”
We are best known for a very specific aesthetic: Transitional Modern with a “Hotel-Casual Luxe” feel. We create spaces that have the polished, intentional atmosphere of a boutique hotel but are anchored by the “cozy parlor” warmth required for a real family home. I am particularly passionate about sustainable design through furniture restoration; we often advocate for refinishing vintage pieces or restoring cabinetry, as the quality of older materials frequently surpasses what is mass-produced today.
What Sets Us Apart: The “Designer-Builder” Bridge
What truly distinguishes The Green Level Home is my background in both design and commercial building. I speak the language of the job site just as fluently as the language of the showroom. This allows me to act as a vital bridge between the homeowner and the build team. I don’t just pick out pretty colors; I solve space challenges, optimize layouts for high-performance living, and ensure the technical details—are executed flawlessly.
Brand Pride: Integrity and Trust
Brand-wise, I am most proud of the trust I have built with my team of contractors and, subsequently, my clients. I only bring professionals into a client’s home whom I would (and do!) trust in my own home with my own family. That integrity is the heartbeat of the brand. We aren’t just selling a look; we are providing a sanctuary.
What We Want Readers to Know
Whether you are embarking on a “bathroom glow-up,” a new townhome construction, or simply looking to reclaim your peace of mind through custom organization, we meet you exactly where you are. We believe that a home should be intentional, personal, and truly lived in. We aren’t here to impose a trend on you; we are here to coach you into discovering your own unique style and then implementing it with a level of detail that makes your everyday life feel a little more like a luxury retreat.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I love most about Raleigh is the seamless intersection of “The City of Oaks” heritage with its forward-thinking energy. As a designer, I am endlessly inspired by the architectural diversity here—you can walk through the historic, soul-filled streets of Oakwood with its century-old canopies and then be in the heart of the Warehouse District or North Hills’ modern skyline in minutes. There is a deep-rooted appreciation for the “maker” culture here that reminds me of my roots in New York, yet it’s wrapped in that signature Southern hospitality. I love that Raleigh feels like a big city that still functions like a tight-knit community; people truly want to see each other succeed, and that collaborative spirit makes it an incredible place to grow a creative business. The Green Level Home, LLC was named for the area where the business was founded in the historic Green Level district.
What do you like least about our city?
If I had to pick a challenge, it’s the “growing pains” that come with being one of the fastest-growing hubs in the country. From a professional standpoint, seeing the rapid pace of new construction can sometimes feel like a race against time to preserve the character that makes our neighborhoods unique. We also face the logistical hurdles that come with that growth—the increasing traffic and the rising costs of local labor and materials can be a puzzle to navigate for both designers and homeowners. However, I try to look at these “cons” as opportunities; they push us to be more innovative with how we use space and more intentional about sustainable design and restoration, ensuring that as Raleigh evolves, it doesn’t lose the charm that brought us all here in the first place.
Pricing:
- Flat rate for full home Interior Design
- Hourly packages for Designer by Your Side
- Hourly Packages for Custom Organization
- Hourly rate for Color Consultation
- Gift Certificates available for the perfect graduation or wedding gift
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.greenlevelhome.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegreenlevelhome/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/the.green.level.home/
