Martha's Design Story:
When I was a little girl, I loved Barbie. Not for her beautiful wardrobe, but for her gorgeous Dream House. I envisioned myself re-arranging furniture and softening up hard plastic pink furnishings with sumptuous fabric scraps. After I finished with Barbies Dream House I would be the envy of all my friends.
After often pleading for it, I would quickly be reminded that our family budget didn't leave room for expensive toys like that. Once, after much whining, my father told me, "Martha, you're a clever girl, I bet you could make your own Dream House with things you already have." I had never thought of that. I quickly began to get to work. I took a kleenex box an turned it into a bed. I had sewed linens from silk scraps and trims that my Grandmother had. I found a rabbit pelt in my brothers things, that soon became a fashionable fur rug for the Living Room. I had purchased Rattan furnishings from China Town, on our previous vacation, at the time, not knowing what I would do with them. I realized they were the perfect size for the Dream House. My Barbie had the only BoHo, Shabby Sheek house in existence. I loved it! I often changed out the pillows, stuffed with cotton balls. I colored papers that I taped to the walls and rotated nic-nacs. It truly was a labor of love and I felt such a satisfaction knowing I did it myself.
Years passed, I finished school and became an X-Ray technician. Never did it occur to me that you could make a living by doing what I loved best. While living in Tuscon, AZ as a young wife and mother I met a woman through my church that was a professional Interior Designer. Just like her mother, she had been educated and enjoyed a great little business run from her home. I clung to every word that came out of her mouth. She taught me so much just by being my friend.
When my children were old enough, I returned to school, in Newport Beach, CA. My days were spent drafting, fabric hunting and painting. I had never felt so satisfied with my life. I had been missing an artistic outlet. It was fun and I was good at it.
Since then I've been doing it for family, friends and clients alike. The best part, is that I share my passion with my daughter, Robyn. Being able to work with someone you love makes it all the more fun.
Education:
Interior Designer's Institute
Newport Beach, CA 1993
Certificate of Interior Design with additional courses in
Textiles, Color theory, 2-Point perspective and Analysis of
Form
When I was a little girl, I loved Barbie. Not for her beautiful wardrobe, but for her gorgeous Dream House. I envisioned myself re-arranging furniture and softening up hard plastic pink furnishings with sumptuous fabric scraps. After I finished with Barbies Dream House I would be the envy of all my friends.
After often pleading for it, I would quickly be reminded that our family budget didn't leave room for expensive toys like that. Once, after much whining, my father told me, "Martha, you're a clever girl, I bet you could make your own Dream House with things you already have." I had never thought of that. I quickly began to get to work. I took a kleenex box an turned it into a bed. I had sewed linens from silk scraps and trims that my Grandmother had. I found a rabbit pelt in my brothers things, that soon became a fashionable fur rug for the Living Room. I had purchased Rattan furnishings from China Town, on our previous vacation, at the time, not knowing what I would do with them. I realized they were the perfect size for the Dream House. My Barbie had the only BoHo, Shabby Sheek house in existence. I loved it! I often changed out the pillows, stuffed with cotton balls. I colored papers that I taped to the walls and rotated nic-nacs. It truly was a labor of love and I felt such a satisfaction knowing I did it myself.
Years passed, I finished school and became an X-Ray technician. Never did it occur to me that you could make a living by doing what I loved best. While living in Tuscon, AZ as a young wife and mother I met a woman through my church that was a professional Interior Designer. Just like her mother, she had been educated and enjoyed a great little business run from her home. I clung to every word that came out of her mouth. She taught me so much just by being my friend.
When my children were old enough, I returned to school, in Newport Beach, CA. My days were spent drafting, fabric hunting and painting. I had never felt so satisfied with my life. I had been missing an artistic outlet. It was fun and I was good at it.
Since then I've been doing it for family, friends and clients alike. The best part, is that I share my passion with my daughter, Robyn. Being able to work with someone you love makes it all the more fun.
Education:
Interior Designer's Institute
Newport Beach, CA 1993
Certificate of Interior Design with additional courses in
Textiles, Color theory, 2-Point perspective and Analysis of
Form
Robyn's Design Story:
I have always been drawn to the finer things in life. When I was little, the pillows on my bed had to be in their perfect spots. When a room was put together and flowed seamlessly, I felt at ease and content in the space. I watched my Mom turn our houses into Homes and since then Design became an important aspect of my life.
When I was 13, my parents announced to us children, that we were moving to NC. They were building a home and designing it form the bottom up. Closer to our Move-In date, my parents let me come with them to High Point, NC (one of the Premier destinations of American Furniture Manufacturing). While there, they had decided on a few furniture frames and needed to pick out fabrics for Upholstery. My Mom asked me if I would help her- and my life was forever changed! In the end they went with my fabric selections for the Family Room and I was beyond thrilled. Furthermore, she asked my opinion on paint choices. I loved doing this work. I realized this was what I wanted to pursue in the future.
With each passing semester of my education, my excitement grew. I love this industry and its always evolving experiences. I'm fascinated how much a well-appointed room impacts your spirit and the everyday ebb and flow of life.
On a side note, we recently had a client tell us how her bedroom design had made her fall in love with her home all over again. We were so happy to be apart of that.
Education:
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, CA 2004-2009
Associate Degree in Interior Architecture
I have always been drawn to the finer things in life. When I was little, the pillows on my bed had to be in their perfect spots. When a room was put together and flowed seamlessly, I felt at ease and content in the space. I watched my Mom turn our houses into Homes and since then Design became an important aspect of my life.
When I was 13, my parents announced to us children, that we were moving to NC. They were building a home and designing it form the bottom up. Closer to our Move-In date, my parents let me come with them to High Point, NC (one of the Premier destinations of American Furniture Manufacturing). While there, they had decided on a few furniture frames and needed to pick out fabrics for Upholstery. My Mom asked me if I would help her- and my life was forever changed! In the end they went with my fabric selections for the Family Room and I was beyond thrilled. Furthermore, she asked my opinion on paint choices. I loved doing this work. I realized this was what I wanted to pursue in the future.
With each passing semester of my education, my excitement grew. I love this industry and its always evolving experiences. I'm fascinated how much a well-appointed room impacts your spirit and the everyday ebb and flow of life.
On a side note, we recently had a client tell us how her bedroom design had made her fall in love with her home all over again. We were so happy to be apart of that.
Education:
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, CA 2004-2009
Associate Degree in Interior Architecture
