When your life is split between design boards, on-camera reveals, and making homes feel like healing spaces, authenticity has to be more than a buzzword—it has to be your blueprint. Emmy-nominated designer and host of Design My Space Atlanta, Tyka Pryde, is not just decorating homes—she’s redefining what design means for real people with real stories. From TikTok to television, and from production designer to household name, Tyka’s journey is rooted in soul, strategy, and serious talent. Whether she’s styling a celebrity’s sanctuary or cozying up in her own cabin retreat, her spaces speak volumes—and every detail tells a story.
FEMI: Designing for the Spotlight: As the Emmy-nominated host of Design My Space Atlanta on BET, how do you balance creating spaces that are both camera-ready and authentically reflective of your clients’ personalities?
Tyka Pryde: I always start with functionality and focus on how my clients live, what they need, and how the space can best support their daily lives. My number one priority is improving the way they use the space and how they feel in it. Once I’ve nailed that down, then I make it beautiful. Making things beautiful is the fun part, the real challenge is maximizing functionality. Every space I design has to serve the people who live in it first, and then because it’s me it will always be gorgeous and camera ready. That’s the balance I live for.
FEMI: From Vision to Reality: Your journey from aspiring designer to a recognized name in interior design is inspiring. What pivotal moments or challenges shaped your path to success?
Tyka Pryde: For years, I worked behind the scenes as a production designer on home renovation shows. I was shaping spaces, but no one really knew my name. A couple years ago, I started casually giving interior design advice on TikTok and it blew up overnight. That response made me realize how many people connected with my design perspective and appreciated the actionable, real-world advice I was giving. I saw how many people I could actually reach and help if I stepped in front of the camera and carved out a lane for myself. I didn’t see many people like me represented in the design world, and I knew I wanted to bridge that gap.
FEMI: Personal Spaces: You’ve shared glimpses of your own cabin retreat. How does designing your personal space differ from client projects, and what does your home say about you?
Tyka Pryde: Designing my own cabin retreat was a completely different experience because it was a chance to reflect on my own identity instead of someone else’s. When I design for clients, I’m translating their personality into a physical space. But in my home, I get to be fully me. The cabin is layered, soulful, cozy, and peaceful. It’s filled with texture, storytelling, and warmth. It’s also where I heal, dream, and create without anyone watching. There’s a freedom in designing just for yourself, and it reminds me why I fell in love with interiors in the first place because I am so so happy when I’m there.
FEMI: Designing for Celebrities: You’ve worked with notable personalities like Liza Koshy. How do you approach designing spaces for high-profile clients, and what unique considerations come into play?
Tyka Pryde: I’ve been lucky to design for some incredible women like Liza Koshy, Jessica Alba, and Sheryl Lee Ralph. I approach every client the same, however these are people whose lives are constantly in the spotlight, so I find there is a special emphasis on making their homes feel like true sanctuaries. My approach is always to listen deeply, understand their lifestyle and then create something that feels both elevated and deeply personal. There’s also more to consider on the business side. Often, these projects include brand collaborations or product placements. So I’m not just designing for the client, I’m also thinking about how to highlight key pieces and maximize visibility for the brands involved. It’s a blend of creativity and strategy, and I love the challenge of making it all feel seamless and authentic.
FEMI: Trends vs. Timelessness: In your experience, which interior design trends have stood the test of time, and which do you advise clients to approach with caution?
Tyka Pryde: The trends that last are always rooted in feeling and history. Natural materials like wood, linen, and stone have stood the test of time because they ground us and bring warmth into a space. Sculptural furniture, layered lighting, and soulful details never go out of style. What I caution clients against are hyper-specific trends that don’t reflect their personality, which I believe is a real problem. If you’re just following what’s trending online, you will get bored or feel disconnected from your space and you will waste so much money. Design should always feel personal and intentional. That’s what creates longevity so you’re not remodeling your kitchen every couple of years.
FEMI: Empowering Through Design: Your work often emphasizes personal expression and empowerment. How do you see interior design as a tool for individuals to reclaim and redefine their spaces?
Tyka Pryde: I think it’s really important for people to fight against trends and stay rooted in their individuality. Our homes have the power to help us connect more deeply with who we are. I don’t want your space to look like Instagram. I want it to reflect how you want to show up in the world which is always authentic and beautiful. Interior design can be deeply healing, but you only feel those benefits if you see yourself reflected in the space.
Working on shows like Extreme Makeover, Queer Eye, and Honest Renovations, I’ve seen how emotional and transformational design can be. And on my show Design My Space Atlanta, someone cried in every single episode during the reveal. That wasn’t about aesthetics, it was about identity, safety, and self-worth. That’s the power of good design. It’s not just about what a space looks like, it’s about what it allows someone to become.
In a world full of fleeting trends and social media aesthetics, Tyka Pryde is designing with deeper purpose—one that centers healing, identity, and individuality. Her spaces aren’t just beautiful, they’re brave. They make room for restoration, joy, and the unapologetic expression of self. Whether you’re a fan of organic textures or Hollywood-worthy glow-ups, Tyka proves that the real magic of design lives in how a space makes you feel. Because at the end of the day, the most powerful transformation isn’t in the room—it’s in the person who walks into it and finally sees themselves.
Images Courtesy of Publicist.
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