Passionate About Interior Design
What makes you happy? A job you love? A balanced family life? Great health?
All of these wants are supported by design. Uplifting spaces, functional arrangements, and calming surroundings can assist in achieving happiness and positive thinking. Let me share with you how I came to be so passionate about design.
All of these wants are supported by design. Uplifting spaces, functional arrangements, and calming surroundings can assist in achieving happiness and positive thinking. Let me share with you how I came to be so passionate about design.
Making things beautiful. Functional and personal at the same time
My journey in life to a love of design started at a very early age.
Discovered that life and design are influenced by all our interactions, including our environment. As we each “design” our own world, we find it is one of communication and collaboration.
If we all work together we can create a beautiful world. We just must remember beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I look forward to sharing the beauty and see how we can create it together.
The Journey
This journey, for me, is all about anything and everything design.My personal goal:
Just by learning a few basic “rules”, you can make your home the envy of the neighborhood. Incorporate your personality and favorite things, and your home will be uniquely yours. I’m going to inspire you with tons of information, ideas, how to’s, including pictures. I welcome the opportunity to assist you personally. Let me know what questions you have or when we can work one-on-one on a project.A little about me
I grew up on a farm in the upper Midwest, the oldest of 4 siblings. We learned to work hard and make “due” with what we had on hand. Exploring creative ways to express myself, with limited materials, drew out my design gene. I became hooked! I found enjoyment in sewing and quilting, developed those skills with encouragement from my Mom and Grandmother. I adjusted patterns, adding details showing off my unique style. My creativity developed through years in 4-H, with clothing, crafting, gardening, home improvement, baking, and animal showmanship projects. The confidence, skill, and sense of accomplishment I developed prompted me to get my BS degree in Textiles- Retail from South Dakota State University.
In my 20’s, after I married, I opened a craft supply shop(Crafty Creations) and began producing handcrafted items that I, also, marketed at craft shows. A selection of my craft designs were developed and produced into craft patterns. The business evolved through the years into a gift and home accessory retail business over 3000 sq. feet. To be honest with you, this part of the journey would not have been successful without the unwavering support of my husband and best friend. He went with me to 90% of my craft shows, did whatever I needed at my shop and, simply, is always there for me.
I was involved in seasonal mall kiosks, website marketing, home staging, and in-home consulting. I assisted several retailers in the region with their new shop layout and design.
In 2008, moving my career in a different direction, I became an Account Manager with several gift and decor companies, traveling to work with retailers. –selling product wholesale –from a hospital gift shop to a furniture store. I partner with these businesses, in my 3 state area, recommending the best product for their type of business and offer my expertise in marketing, display, and pricing.
I earned another degree in Residential Planning-Interior Design to up my level of expertise.
I am, currently, an Account Manager with K&K Interiors, a creative, upscale decor company. As I continue to work with retailers, which I love, I’m getting back to my design roots by developing my By Design brand. A new challenge to keep me inspired!