There are several things that drew me to Interior Design from Architecture. Speed of execution, and more ability to be creative are certainly on the list, but the overriding temptation was interaction. I really love the interaction with my clients, my vendors and everyone involved in the process, it’s a very hands on, fulfilling way to make a living. My favorite part is the look in the eye of my client the first time they see the project complete. They usually see all the pieces as we go along, but when they are all put together and they see the entire vision for the first time- that is a magical moment. To be invited into someone’s life and charge with creating the backdrop upon which life’s great moments will play out is an incredible honor and one that I have grown to cherish.

LOL that is like asking to choose your favorite child! They are all my favorites, and each is special in their own way. Some are more challenging because of the client, or the budget or the location, but I know that I have done my best with each one, and that the people who live there are happier because they have surrounded themselves with beautiful things.

I get my inspiration primarily from my client. I’ve designed for some celebrities, Jennifer Lopez, Steve Carell, KISS, ZZ Top, Keenan Wayans and Vanna White.  I specialize in rooms that are like a portrait, so that when people visit they see not me, but the personality of the person who lives there. So inspiration may come from a color you like to wear, a hobby that you have or even a sports team that you follow. Once you find your inspiration, try and be very open about where it leads. For instance if the color rose is your inspiration, it might lead you to a garden type of room, light and bright with lots of greens, or it might lead you to an all pink room, with chiffon and airy loose fabrics…take your time and follow your intuition.

For anyone, a sleep sanctuary is an important place. I think we all need a place to retreat to, to get away from our daily grind. But for girls especially who feel so much pressure from society and friends, I feel it’s especially important for them to have a place that is a true reflection of them, and that reinforces the positive aspects of themselves. First thing to do is to start to collect images of things that you like, not just rooms, but anything that makes you feel happy and serene. Once you have a whole bunch of them, lay them out on a table and you will start to get the sense of how your room feels. From there you may want to experiment with furniture placement, play with different ways your room can look. Once that is done, head into color and fabrics and you are on your way.

When designing on a budget there are a few things to keep in mind. Paint is cheap so make a splash with color. Cheap things that try to look expensive rarely do, so if something is out of your budget, rethink it a bit. Maybe instead of diamonds what you are looking for is some sparkle; that can be achieved with some cool mirrored pieces not with cheap plastic gems. I always love a sale rack, go to stores that you like and look for the things that are price reduced. You might be surprised with the treasures that you can find. Also, I like swap meets and flea markets, another source of weird and unusual items. Shopping online can be great too, but be really careful about checking size etc, what may look huge online, may end up being tiny when you put it in your bedroom.

Always have great lighting. It should have at least the ability to create soft, mood lighting and then be able to brighten it; to create a bright, alert atmosphere. This can be a combination of ceiling and lamp lighting, but should have separate controls. Another thing is a really comfortable bed. It is a bedroom after all, so make sure the sheets are fresh and clean, and smell great, as well as terrific pillows, there is no use having a sleep sanctuary unless you can get a good night’s sleep.