My Story
I can’t pinpoint the exact moment my interest in interior design & decor sparked; but I do know it started at an early age…
In elementary school I remember walking through a house for sale with my parents and our realtor. To this day I can vividly remember one of the bathrooms had large, dramatic black & white tile and a clawfoot tub. I was disappointed when we didn’t buy that house because of that bathroom alone. I also remember finding a vintage chair at a garage sale that I fell in love with but the fabric was terrible. What 4th grader falls in love with a chair? We had it re-upholstered and it was perfect. It was at that point I first learned the importance of looking for the potential.
A few years later, when I was in middle school, we started building our house. Mom & Dad asked for our input when it came to our bedrooms. The one thing I wanted was hardwood floors. They indulged me and it was the only room in the house that wasn’t carpet. Again, what 6th grader cares about their bedroom flooring choice?
Throughout high school I watched Trading Spaces almost obsessively, and liked having a bedroom that was put together. Don’t get me wrong, I still had the messy teenager room at times, but probably mild compared to many of my peers.
I went into the Interior Design program at GRCC after highschool and a few years later went through the C.I.D International coursework to become a Certified Interior Decorator. There was a lot of valuable information in these programs. However, I have learned the most from personal experiences over the last decade or so. Experiences like: moving into different rentals where you have to be creative in making a space your own, decorating with virtually no budget, Mark and I going through first renovation together, and a complete remodel of our Cottage which has been our biggest undertaking to date. Not to mention our current house will always be a work in progress, even though there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.
I have never been a decorator or designer by profession. Most of my projects have been personal or for family and friends. I enjoy being the “go-to” person for people I know when it comes to consulting on paint colors or picking out fabrics or wall decor. Over the years we have been together, Mark’s interest has also grown and he has developed very good taste (I’ll take partial credit for that). It might still be a hobby at this point, but that could change in the future. Whatever the case may be, I’d say this passion of mine isn’t going anywhere after 25 (ish) years and I enjoy sharing it with you.
What’s your story? I’d love to hear it.
4 Comments on “My Story”
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By The Poole 
It’s great to hear your story! I, too, have had a passion for interior design, although I didn’t know it would lead me to this career path after 20 years in the marketing field. Cheers to going after your dreams and keeping your passion for design alive. You are inspiration for many!
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Thanks Susan! A passion really is the best way to describe it, something we are drawn to whether it is personally or professionally.
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Love this! Also this is dumb but I had no idea you had gone to school for interior design! That is so awesome! No wonder your projects are so cute- though I’d bet they would be with or without that “formal training!” 😀 I love when kids have passions that go with them into their adult lives… isn’t it funny how when we are young we know exactly what we want I need life?
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Well gosh Sam, that’s so sweet of you to say!
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