What makes an Expert & Authority

 As an Interior Designer I wear many hats!  The list above is only a few, but they are the ones that benefit you the most as a homeowner.  I'm also a marketing manager, accountant, project manager, coach and counselor.  
 Being a great Interior Designer develops over years of experience and education, and lots of trial and error.  About 12 years ago I got the calling to give back to my industry by speaking and teaching. I fully believe that the more I teach the more I learn.  We've all heard that concept that to truly become an expert and authority in our craft just try teaching it! 
I attended an event this week for Women in Design hosted by the Seattle Design Center and they were talking about how we promote ourselves in a sea of many interior designers. They had us flip the script and ask ourselves to explain a homeowner's experience if they DIDN'T hire us.

The story would go something like this
Homeowner Jane decides to work with her builder and handle the design herself, relying on the builder’s usual suppliers. These sources, like plumbing supply stores, focus more on selling than on showcasing products or offering design expertise. While tile showrooms may have skilled designers and plumbing suppliers know their products well, each works independently. No one is overseeing the big picture, ensuring all elements integrate seamlessly, or communicating the vision to the builder. This lack of coordination creates gaps where costly mistakes can easily happen—making the process overwhelming for a homeowner.

Much of what I bring to the table are my resources, builders and showrooms I have built trusted relationships with.  These sources are part of my TEAM and are extremely valuable intangible elements that you are benefiting from when you hire me.  I can take you to fewer showrooms and accomplish more in an afternoon than what you can accomplish in a month of visiting showrooms on your own.  I then document all our decisions (I'm the spreadsheet queen) and effectively communicate it to the team, always juggling aesthetics and function.
 Being a fairly balanced left/right brained person, means I can balance the technical side with the big picture.  I can jump back and forth seamlessly between the creative and technical.  And THAT skill is very unique even in the sea of Interior Designers.  We all have different strengths and there is a perfect designer for every homeowner and project.  Working as a specialist in the Kitchen and Bath arena really taps into my ability to do both.  
 In short, I love what I do, I love giving back to my peers and next generation of Interior Designers and supporting you as the homeowner to inspire you to embrace spaces that support you and your family's health and wellbeing in beautiful, functional spaces!

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