Meet Shannon Logan of The Collared Spruce

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Logan.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Similar to many Interior Designers, my interest in interior design began in childhood. I loved decorating my own room and helping my mother make our house beautiful. This passion was something I truly enjoyed and that my mother still talks about to this day. However, as I grew up, I struggled with the confidence that interior design could be a viable career path. In high school, a volunteer experience working with children with special needs led me down a different educational path. I enrolled in college to study biology, focusing on Autism Spectrum Disease (ASD). While studying I had the joy of working as a registered behavioral therapist with children on the spectrum which left a lasting impression on my life. I graduated with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry, and then moved on to pursue a Ph.D. in biochemistry at the University of Georgia. My lab primarily concentrated on Alzheimer’s and other neurobiological diseases.

One year into my Ph.D. program my husband, Toby, and I moved to Madison, Georgia. Toby worked as a mechanical engineer in Macon, making Madison a convenient middle ground for our respective jobs in Athens and Macon. After settling in my husband realized that he did not want to work at a desk for the rest of his life so he left his engineering career to become a carpenter, starting his own woodworking, cabinetry, and furniture business, Stout and Tailored Woodworks. The business began in our backyard shed during the pandemic and it quickly grew into a 2,400-square-foot bustling business —a major, exciting career leap.

Simultaneously, I, too, was grappling with the realization that my current trajectory wasn’t what I wanted forever. After completing four years of my Ph.D. program I ultimately decided to master out. Around the time that I was completing the last pieces of my written thesis a part-time design assistant position opened up at a design firm in downtown Madison, Rachael Bell Interior Design. Encouraged by my husband, I applied. I had no formal interior design degree and interviewed with little hope but a lot of passion.

The firm saw natural talent and promise in me thus offering me the part time position. This timing allowed me to finish my master’s degree while testing the waters in design. Fast forward through the years I worked diligently to travel up the company ladder to become an Associate Designer. My four years at the firm were arguably the best experience I could have asked for. It was filled with wonderful projects, valuable trade and vendor connections, and overall, a truly immersive learning experience.

In 2025, my daughter was born. This ushered in a major life change. With much thought and reflection, I decided to start my own company to honor this new season of my life. This decision is embodied in the name of my business, The Collared Spruce. Spruce trees remain evergreen, year-round, regardless of the season. At The Collared Spruce, we aim to provide professional, expert guidance while curating beautiful spaces that support you through your own evolving seasons of life. Whether you are a new mom with active children or later in life with an empty nest seeking a fresh home aesthetic, our purpose is rooted in honoring both my new journey and the continuous seasons of life everyone experiences.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I hope listening to my journey I have conveyed that it hasn’t been a straight line. As I meet more people, I see this is a common thread we should all value. Becoming a new mom has brought a realization of how quickly time passes so we should spend our days doing what we love. As my daughter grows up I hope she can see with my story that it is perfectly okay not to have everything figured out – evolving and changing is a beautiful thing.

We all face struggles, and making any major transition can be difficult. Being surrounded by incredibly talented designers and contractors, I’ve personally grappled with feelings of not being qualified or experienced enough. My specific story—changing careers, leaving a firm that I cherished, starting my own business, and welcoming a newborn—was terrifying and unpredictable. However, becoming a mother taught me that moments of greatest risk often lead to the most profound growth. By embracing the potential for growth, we can truly see what we are capable of becoming. I hope readers and viewers can connect with this experience.

We’ve been impressed with The Collared Spruce, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At The Collared Spruce, we specialize in full-service interior design, developing comprehensive plans for both construction and furnishings. Our goal is to provide a seamless, elevated experience by managing every detail of the design process. From initial concept to completion, we are dedicated to ensuring your home intentionally reflects your lifestyle and vision, ultimately curating spaces that serve as a beautiful backdrop for your evolving seasons.

Apart of our Full-Service Offerings we can assist you with:

– Architectural Selections for Renovations and New Construction
– Detailed Elevations and Architectural Schedules for Contractor Implementation
– On Site Project Management
– Weekly Project Status Updates
– Furnishing Selections
– Furnishing Space Plans
– In Person or Virtual Design Presentations
– White Glove Installation and Styling

The Collared Spruce full-service design package follows the structure outlined below to ensure your home is expertly designed and managed.

– Initial Assessment
– Project Onboarding
– Design Development
– Design Fulfillment
– Design Installation

Home is where so many significant milestones happen and lasting memories are made. I believe your space should feel approachable – soulful, warm and authentic. With The Collared Spruce I am proud to curate beautiful spaces that serve as the perfect backdrop for what truly matters – your own evolving seasons.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My professional journey has been profoundly shaped by an incredible network of support and mentorship.

First and foremost, I am deeply grateful for my family. My husband’s unwavering support and his own successful career shift motivated me, proving that change is a positive advancement, not a setback. My parents and in-laws have also been amazing from the beginning, notably being the first to gift me personalized “The Collared Spruce” business materials. For this, and their constant encouragement, I am truly thankful.

My time at Rachel Bell Interior Design in Madison, Georgia, was pivotal to my growth. Rachel embraced my passion, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the design process in a way I believe is unique. I absorbed every bit of knowledge and experience, making it a priority to listen, learn, and ask countless questions. Rachel was incredibly receptive, inviting me into so many aspects of the business and patiently enduring my constant need for detail. I am eternally grateful for that experience and for her.

The trades have also been vital to my education. From the supportive “white-glove” delivery crew —who taught me the ropes and made a lasting impression—to the construction trades, I’ve learned that success is fundamentally a team effort, requiring everyone to be in sync. Building relationships with additional vendors has also been invaluable. My connections with upholstery and soft-goods workrooms, in particular, have introduced me to an essential vocabulary of detail in this field. Moving beyond simple work relationships, I’ve formed genuine friendships with many of these individuals, and their support and encouragement through my professional transitions have been a constant source of strength.

Finally, and most importantly, my daughter has been one of my main motivators and supporters since she was born. While I am far from a perfect mother, she has given me new confidence, strength, and grace. She has taught me not to take life too seriously, reminding me that the things we hold close are what truly matter.

Pricing:

• The Collared Spruce bills Clients an hourly fee for all design services, which is collected in the form of a retainer. This retainer is then applied to monthly time billing invoices. Clients will be informed of the need to replenish the retainer as funds are depleted until the project’s completion. Any remaining retainer balance at the project’s conclusion will be refunded to the client via check.To keep the Client informed, The Collared Spruce will issue a weekly design service update every Monday, outlining the time spent and tasks completed on the project.
• Design details are presented to the Client through a systematic process, allowing for the review of digital images, finish details, and dimensions before any purchases are made. All final design details are compiled into a comprehensive proposal at the end of the Design Development phase. We require full upfront payment on this product proposal. This transparent pricing model ensures the Client has complete visibility into their total project investment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thecollaredspruce.com/
• Instagram: thecollaredspruce

Image Credits
Carin McMillian Photo