What is your style? Are you able to work with styles that are different from what you prefer in your own home?

I would describe my personal style as “timeless with a pop of color” or “classic with a side of fun”. Everyday I try to embrace the big beautiful mess life throws at us.

It’s my job to be able to absorb what you describe as your home. I work with all different kinds of clients with all different tastes and styles. My job is to interpret what you love about your home into a cohesive design for you to enjoy and love.

I had a professor in college go around the room and ask us what our favorite color is we all answered (mine is blue) and he then told us we all answered the question incorrectly. He quietly responded that we all answered the question wrong. “To be able to do our job we don’t have a favorite, we love them all equally.”

Do you work with all budgets?

Simply, yes. I help people love their homes no matter their budget. We start with what you have, evaluate where you are right now and proceed with purpose. I often tell my clients if your home looks like it always belongs in a magazine you’re not living in it.

Where do you shop?

For interior design projects I shop both retail and to the trade. To the trade vendors can only be accessed through an interior designer. It all depends upon your budget.

I’ve never worked with a designer before. What can I expect?

Here are the cliffs notes:

• Involve us early
• Be realistic about your budget
• Plan way ahead
• Trust us
• This is not a hobby, it’s a job
• Do your homework
• HGTV is not real life!
• Indecisiveness will cost you (time or money)
• Buy better once instead of cheaply twice
• Things take time
• Speak up

What is the typical timeline for a project once I’ve put down a deposit?

E-Design / Online Design: From the time you sign the contract to the time you have a finished design board is usually 3-4 weeks. If you’re truly motivated to make big decisions, then it can be done in as little as 2 weeks.

Full Service Design: Plan on me being part of your life for a good chunk of time. A typical design project lasts at least 3-8 months. Typically two things hold up a design: decision-making and furniture delivery. Once decisions are made, I can estimate your projects time-frame based on your selections.

What does the NCIDQ and LEED ID+C mean after your name?

The NCIDQ stands for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification, and is an exam developed and administered by the CIDQ: Council of Interior Design Qualification, which was founded in 1974. It is currently the only nationally recognized professional competency exam in the United States and Canada. Currently, 27 states in the US require the NCIDQ certificate in licensing and regulating the Interior Design profession.

The exam tests competence in Interior Design and focuses on those specific aspects of interior design that affect the public’s access, health, life safety, and well-being (Life Safety & ADA codes, sustainability guidelines, FF&E selections/specifications, CD's, and Contract Administration).

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Available for virtually all building, community and home project types, LEED provides a framework to create healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement. As humans, we spend 90% of our time indoors. That time should be spent in spaces that allow us to breathe easy, give us views of nature and daylight, and make us healthier and more productive. LEED for Interior Design and Construction (LEED ID+C) enables project teams who may not have control over whole building operations to develop indoor spaces that are better for the planet and for people.

Why are these important to me?I worked hard for them. I went to a FIDER accredited school, I worked under licensed architects, interior designers, and engineers to be able to gain the knowledge and experience to take these exams and further my career. Technically they might hold more weight in a commercial design setting but it’s important to me to maintain my credentials and obtain continuing education credits.