I started Grand Design Group in 1988 to share my passion for Beauty, Order and Gracious Living. Interior Design is so much more than "a look" or "a pretty room". Our surroundings have a tremendous impact on our daily lives. Having the opportunity to share in our clients lives is a privilege –understanding their lifestyle, needs and personal preferences is my first priority and the foundation we build on.
Interior Design is my second career. I spent 14 years in the insurance and financial planning industry – receiving my CLU and ChFC designations from the American College in 1983 and 1985. This past experience has proved to be invaluable in managing the complexities of an interior design firm. I went back to school in 1990 to study interior design at Columbus College of Art and Design. CEU's and seminars, furniture markets and travel keep me current, challenge my thinking and inspire me. My philosophy "stretch yourself" keeps my creativity and ideas flowing.
I have an innate feel for scale, proportion and balance. Color sense and the layering of texture and pattern are particular strengths. My organizational skills and pragmatic approach allow me to orchestrate the big picture and still capture the details that bring a space to life.
I have received numerous design and merchandising awards over the years and in 2010 received the honor of being inducted into the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio's Hall of Fame.
I am a member of American Society of Interior Design (ASID); The Building Association of Central Ohio (10 year board member); NAHB Sales and Marketing Council; Professional Women in Building Council; and Franklin Park Conservatory Women's Board.
When not indulging in my passion for Interior Design, I enjoy cooking and entertaining (especially setting a table), reading (a preference for real books not e-books), exploring art galleries and museums and spending time with family and friends.
My professional career includes 10 years of building design, space planning, residential remodeling, ephemeral architecture, and interior design. I have a bachelor's degree in environmental design from the University of Puerto Rico, a master's degree in arts with concentration in interior design, and a master's in architecture from Savannah College of Art and Design.
I have an innate passion for design, balance, and aesthetics. Good design requires problem solving and there is no better way to achieve a solution than to really study the needs and desires of a project. I enjoy getting to know and building relationships with our clients and the opportunity to impact their life with great design. I love fabrics and enjoy putting together colors, patterns, and textures to shape a space.
I was fortunate to be an exchange student when working on my master's and had the opportunity to travel throughout France, Spain, Italy, and Germany and experience European design firsthand.
I am an Associate Member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and a member of the Green Building Council (USGBC). It is important to me to keep up to date on building materials, sustainable solutions, and interior design trends. I also enjoy reading about different cultures and religions as well as design psychology. I'm a dog lover and a twin!
My professional career is design-focused with more than five years of apparel design experience. I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fashion Design from Kent State University in 2016. From there, I was fortunate enough to work as a corporate apparel designer for five years at Abercrombie & Fitch. While fashion will always hold a special place in my heart, my love for design is far-reaching and the skills I developed along the way led me to interiors. I joined Grand Design Group in 2021 as their Studio Manager.
While my strengths are naturally more creative, I really enjoy managing the business operations as well. Throughout my career, I have had the privilege of working at a couple of smaller design companies. Each of these opportunities opened my eyes to other aspects of running a design business that I found to be enjoyable such as sales, bookkeeping, marketing and social media. I especially love getting to know and work alongside our clients and help them in their design journey.
I believe art is synonymous with design, so when I’m not at work I like to spend my time painting (oils and acrylics) and sketching. Some of my other loves include baking, going on walks with my dog and being with family.