HOW WE WORK | TEAM | PARTNERS
Tracy Hains, Owner and Principal Designer
A Room of Her Own
Growing up in a family of eight children, Tracy finally got her own bedroom as a young teen. Fascinated with arranging and rearranging her room, the pivotal moment sparked an interest in interior design that would eventually become Che Bella Interiors—but not for another 20 years.
A Non-Traditional Path—With Non-Traditional Results
Tracy didn’t take the usual route to becoming an interior designer. Having always enjoyed interacting with people, she entered the human resources field and worked her way up through the ranks to eventually being responsible for managing the recruiting division for a local Minnesota government agency. During this time she also earned her BA in Organizational Administration from Northwestern College. Meanwhile, she helped husband Don grow Sure-Lock Homes (now SLH Home Systems) into a thriving business. In 2004, Tracy followed her heart back to her interest in design, enrolling and graduating from the interior design program at Dakota County Technical College and eventually founding Che Bella Interiors.
Design Talent, Business Savvy
Tracy’s design philosophy is that excellent design should be available to everyone. She takes the time to get to know clients’ goals and budgets—so she can deliver solutions that meet their needs and exceed their expectations, all while staying within a their price range, whether that’s $500 or $50,000. Her business and management background ensure that design projects proceed on schedule and on budget, resulting in superior service and results. She places a high value on integrity, working only with trustworthy partners who meet her own high standards for workmanship and accountability.
Designs That Enlighten Clients’ Lives
Tracy loves creating spaces that are stylish as well as functional. Whether a project is small in scope or a total home design, she works with clients to create living spaces they’re proud to share with their family and friends. Specializing in ground-up design and renovations for kitchens and baths, Tracy also enjoys helping the entire design personality of a home flow from room to room. She is an Allied Member of ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) and NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Association). Tracy strives to keep her design sense fresh by seeking out new challenges and opportunities to grow.
Building Good Design—From the Ground Up
Calie’s interest in construction began as a child, sketching “plans” on graph paper that mirrored the blueprints she saw as her parents were in the process of building a new home. The experience of spending her junior year of high school actually building a home from the ground up as part of an experiential learning class solidified Calie’s interest in the field, and she eventually earned her BS in Construction Management and Interior Design from Mankato State University.
From Plans to the Final Product
While working in the construction trade, Calie oversaw the nuts and bolts of building projects from start to finish—but found herself more and more interested in the final product than the sales and bidding stages. She enrolled in the interior design program at Dakota County Technical College, and is a student member of ASID (American Society of Interior Designers, Minnesota Chapter) and the NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Association).
Behind the Walls
Calie’s construction background brings a unique perspective to her design work. Her knowledge of home construction, heating and plumbing allow her to take an objective view of what works well for certain spaces, particularly for complex kitchen and bath renovations. She takes into consideration the mechanical aspects of any project, as well as the aesthetic.
Great Design for Every Client
Calie shares Tracy’s passion for taking on projects of all sizes—big or small. She enjoys helping Tracy create spaces that are functional as well as livable, and tends toward a more transitional design style rather than totally traditional. As a young design professional, Calie looks forward to her growing role with Che Bella Interiors, and working with more Che Bella clients to create inspiring spaces that fit their budgets and lifestyles.