Story

Rocío O'Cone and Gillian Blair, founders of Tête-à-tête
Rocío O'Cone and Gillian Blair, founders of Tête-à-tête, laughing together

Tête-à-tête began as a shared daydream between Rocío O'Cone and Gillian Blair. Their paths unexpectedly crossed when Rocío moved to Austin from New York while Gillian was trying to move to New York from Austin. As timing would have it, they were forced to stay in the same place long enough to get to know each other, play lots of board games, and share their design aspirations. They decided to name this daydream Tête-à-tête to represent the coming together of their two minds. Tête-à-tête is also a really fun sofa and that just felt too good to pass up.

Couch illustration

Prior to starting Tête-à-tête, Rocío and Gillian spent many years honing their skills, as interior design was always in the stars for each of them. Rocío and Gillian come from versatile design educations and professional backgrounds ranging from high-end custom furnishings, architectural drafting, both domestic and international projects, historic remodeling, new home construction and just about anything in between.


Tête-à-tête was created because Rocío and Gillian both felt that the most important part of design is always the story. Inspiration, curiosity, and creativity from collaboration were missing in an often too fast-paced world. Their love of storytelling (and story listening) is ever-present in each of their projects and what they believe differentiates good design from great design.

Rocío O'Cone and Gillian Blair, founders of Tête-à-tête
Two hands pulling signs in front of a green curtainCitrus slice illustration
Rocío O'Cone and Gillian Blair, founders of Tête-à-tête, standing behind a gateRocío O'Cone and Gillian Blair, founders of Tête-à-tête, reflections in a mirror
Rocío O'Cone and Gillian Blair, founders of Tête-à-tête, walking togetherPlaying card illustration
Two cocktails cheersing in front of a green curtainRed heel shoes on a white and blue mosaic floor
Rocío O'Cone and Gillian Blair, founders of Tête-à-têteCandle illustration
Rocío O'Cone and Gillian Blair, founders of Tête-à-tête, standing in a park
Rocío O'Cone and Gillian Blair, founders of Tête-à-tête
Two hands pulling signs in front of a green curtainCitrus slice illustration
Rocío O'Cone and Gillian Blair, founders of Tête-à-tête, standing behind a gateRocío O'Cone and Gillian Blair, founders of Tête-à-tête, reflections in a mirror
Rocío O'Cone and Gillian Blair, founders of Tête-à-tête, walking togetherPlaying card illustration
Two cocktails cheersing in front of a green curtainRed heel shoes on a white and blue mosaic floor
Rocío O'Cone and Gillian Blair, founders of Tête-à-têteCandle illustration
Rocío O'Cone and Gillian Blair, founders of Tête-à-tête, standing in a park
What is your design fetish?
Ro
"Teeny tiny flowers & some of these: "
GB
"Anything miniature. And checkerboard patterns"
What’s your favorite animal? Explain why in three adjectives.
Ro
"Cows!! Cute. Slow. Kind."
GB
"Manatee - slow, round, profound"
Favorite color?
Ro
"I am still on burnt orange, but add citrus green"
GB
"Seaweed green"
If you could live in another decade which would one would you pick?
Ro
"70s"
GB
"The 50s - design (space age?!), jazz, + better airplane travel."
Would you live in a haunted house?
Ro
"Heck no"
GB
"...yes, but only if the ghost(s) were restricted to one room. Like the porch."
If you could be anything other than an interior designer, what would you be?
Ro
"Astronaut"
GB
"Racecar driver"
Rocío O'Cone and Gillian Blair, founders of Tête-à-tête, sitting on the floor together next to a windowPolaroid of Rocío O'Cone and Gillian Blair, founders of Tête-à-tête, sitting in a bath

We’re sitting on the floor in the middle of an empty house. The doors and windows are open, there is a faint breeze rhythmically moving through the rooms. There is no music, but there are soft nature sounds floating in the air.

It’s getting late in the evening. The rooms are taking on a nice golden hue that’s blending all of the colors in front of you. It feels warm and cool at the same time.

Your mind wanders to dinner plans.
Where are we going?

Star illustrationStar illustration