Hi! I’m Taryn! The voice behind Taryn Whiteaker Designs. I launched this brand over 13 years ago when I became a stay-at-home mom. What started as a small craft and mom blog eventually grew into a full time design and DIY site. My goal has always been to inspire others (especially women!) with design ideas, DIY tutorials, entertaining ideas and give you the tools you need to complete them yourself!
We are currently transforming our very traditional Texas home into a modern European retreat! You can follow along on the blog and on Instagram for the latest on every part of the renovation.
Family Life
Taryn grew up and lived in the greater Seattle area with her husband, three little kids and golden retriever for over 30 years and recently moved to the Dallas metroplex. (Read more about the move) When she isn’t using power tools and designing new spaces, she enjoys exploring the outdoors with her family, traveling, snuggles with her English Cream Golden Retriever and baking gluten free treats!
Taryn On TV
Through her design blog, Taryn has made a name for herself in the industry and has partnered with several well-known brands including Michaels Stores, JOANN, Better Homes & Garden, World Market, Floor & Decor, Overstock, Home Depot, Hayneedle and more. She has appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show, The Rachael Ray Show, King 5 NewDay Northwest and her work has been published in Better Homes & Gardens, Country Sampler, Woman’s World, All You, Family Circle and appeared on Country Living, People.com, Elle Decor, InStyle and more.
Awesome blog Taryn. I am so proud of you!
I love that you say the day you realized you were gluten intolerant was one of your best days. I have Celiac disease and once I was diagnosed I cried, not because I was a sad, but because I finally had an answer and knew I would feel better.
Thank you so much for leaving a note, it’s always nice to hear other people’s stories and find out I’m not alone! There is a good chance I have Celiac disease too but I’ll never know for sure. When I found out I was Gluten-Intolerant I stopped eating gluten immediately and felt 100 times better, then later found out Celiac runs in my family. When I went to get tested I found out you have to be eating gluten for a month in order for the test to be accurate and that’s not going to happen :). It’s amazing when you find something that makes you feel better. I’m so glad you stopped by!
Dear Taryn,
I just discovered your blog – Skip To My Lou – and I’m thrilled. I love this and will definitely be checking back more often. This past summer we found out that my daughter is gluten intollerant as well as with dairy and eggs. I haven’t removed everything as yet but we have cut way back these items. There has been such an improvement with her. She is barely in the autistic spectrum – ratings start at 30 and she ranked 33 . All these years she has had trouble with sentance structure and math skills. She’s nearly sixteen by the way. And after two months, the child who still struggled with addition and subtraction, is able to multiply and do simple division in her head. Needless to say I’m extremely thrilled. She also takes seizures and these have decreased with the dietary changes as well. The seizures were bad enough last year that I quit my job to be available 24/7.
Have you heard of the book “Special Diets for Special Kids”? The woman who wrote this had a son who was severely autistic and now he is not due to these changes in diet as well. She also includes recipes in her book.
I am so glad you have your blog and I will be read every posting very soon.
Sincerely,
Maureen
Hi Maureen- Thank you so much for leaving such a wonderful note. I’m so glad to hear that your daughter has been doing much better after changing her diet! I cannot tell you how much my life has changed since I cut gluten, eggs and soy out of my diet. it’s amazing how much can change just by changing your diet. I haven’t heard of that book but I will definitely check it out. Thanks again :) – Taryn
I love your blog, Taryn! Glad I found it through the Uncommon Designs blog network link-up! I’ve been gluten-free for about 3 months now & love it but I am running really low on recipes so I’m excited about all the great recipes you have! <3 Heidi Rew from PartiesforPennies
You have a great blog! I have been blogging for three years or so, but feel like I have so much to learn! I am also in seattle and would love to meet up if you are ever interested in getting together with a local blogger. :-)
I just discovered your blog today and love it!!! I am a NW girl too and love it!!! Excited to read more. Thanks for sharing all your great ideas!!
I just discovered your blog! Love your projects! Thanks for sharing!
Just discovered your blog and I am so excited to explore it. We are also in the Seattle area and absolutely love it. I don’t think that I could live anywhere else. My dad has Celiac and I can’t wait to try out some of your recipes on him!
Just discovered your log, and I’m so excited for it! I love crafts and my little brother is 11 and gluten intolerant, so it’s great to find some recipes out there! Thank you so much!
Hey Taryn, just found your blog by reading knockoff decor. Loved the black “kitchen” sign you made. Bought a similar sign @ Target a few months ago (“French Market”) but I like yours just as well. If you’ll forgive a stupid question by a newbie. . . where do you purchase a Silhouette? And is it like a Cricut which I have been checking out@ my local joann’s? P.S. I live in Wa state too on the east side in a small town but we have all the chain stores here. . .
love the spider wreath but not sure of bowl size would like more information on bowl sizes thanks for sharing and any help
Hello I am from the PNW also out of Seattle…