Hidden Gems: Meet Traci Shields of Friedman & Shields

Today we’d like to introduce you to Traci Shields

Traci, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Watching her father leave the family business to pursue his passion, Traci was led by example to follow her dreams. Growing up, she was surrounded by those who appreciated good design. She traveled abroad during her formative years, learning to appreciate various architectural styles and cultures. During high school, she knew she wanted to enter the interior design field. In 1998 she began working in the design industry and graduated from FIDM. Traci Shields started working with Janet Friedman in 1994 and founded Friedman & Shields one year later. Janet and Traci, united in their vision for peerless service and exquisite craftsmanship, quickly became a name in luxury interior design across the Southwest. After passing the NCIDQ she became a professional member of ASID. In the years following, Traci was awarded Designer of Distinction by ASID Arizona North Chapter and served on the board of directors. After Jan’s retirement in 2011, Traci Shields stepped into full leadership of the firm, maintaining and exceeding the quality standards her discerning clients have come to expect. In 2015, Traci obtained her dual contractor’s license in residential and commercial, allowing the firm to direct and control all aspects of her clients’ renovation and furnishing projects in-house. To date, Traci has won over 40 design awards in her career, specializing in the design, renovation, and furnishing of secondary, luxury homes nationwide. She continues to oversee every detail to perfection, keeping her client list selective and intimate, investing her time and care into each and every client relationship. When not designing, Traci enjoys traveling with her family and friends, especially to warm beach destinations with snorkeling opportunities. She loves fine dining, wine, and new adventures, like parasailing and hot air ballooning.

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?
Maintaining a relevant and successful design firm for over 30 years. Friedman & Shields has weathered a multitude of external challenges such as major building booms to a national housing crisis, fluctuations in economies, and of course all the havoc COVID inflicted upon all industries. Traci worked through personal obstacles as well. As the owner and lead designer of Friedman & Shields, battling cancer, and being a single mother providing for and raising her children was almost insurmountable, but she succeeded.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
For nearly 30 years, Friedman & Shields has treated our clients to exceptional interior design and luxury remodeling. Friedman & Shields continues to specialize in large-scale renovations and custom furnishings for our clients’ primary and secondary residences in Scottsdale, the greater Southwest, and nationwide. Each project receives the direct leadership and involvement of our principal designer, co-founder, and general contractor, Traci Shields. She invests the time and care into each client relationship, delivering peerless service and outstanding quality materials. Her goal is to create homes flawlessly aligned with our client’s lifestyle and values. Friedman & Shields takes pride in our diverse portfolio reflecting a broad range of projects, unifying our client’s shared commitment to incomparable quality and design excellence.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Traci was pursued for several years by HGTV to be one of the first interior design host, co-host, or judge of their newly formed design-focused show programming. She caught the network’s eye with her creation of an over-the-top onyx bathroom. One extraordinary feature was the motion-sensored, floor-to-ceiling art glass sculpture serving as an extravagant, well-disguised urinal. This exceptional bathroom was featured on episode 111 of HGTV’s “I Want That! Baths”. While the offers from HGTV were enticing, as a single mother of young daughters, she chose to remain located in Arizona and run her design firm.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.friedmanandshields.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/friedmanandshields/
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/friedman0815/