Q: Please tell us a bit about yourself and your family.
I grew up in Rockford, Illinois and moved to Chicago during my sophomore year of college. I moved to Bucks County, PA when my then husband got a job out here. I have 2 sons, Ryan and Chad. Ryan is a nurse in Philly and Chad is a graphic designer in Maryland. I met my second husband when I began teaching ESL classes. My husband came over between finishing up military service and his degree. We met there and the rest is history. We have been married for 24 years now.
We live in Newtown now and have been in Bucks County for 50 years. We have a maltese poodle and 2 Tonkinese cats.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career.
I started my undergraduate degree at Illinois State and transferred to National Louis University. I started college with an elementary education degree but ended with a double major in elementary education and english. I learned pretty early on that my niche was older students. I received my masters from Northeastern University in language arts. I taught for 2 years in Arlington Heights, Illinois. My husband at the time got a job in Bucks County, PA, so we moved out here. I got a job teaching in Council Rock at Newtown Middle and then Holland middle when it was built. I taught on and off for about 35 years in between spending time with my sons while they grew up.
After my teaching career I did a good amount of performing folk music all over the area. I played the guitar, hammered dulcimer and I sang. I performed for about 15 years. As a family we used to perform at lots of different local markets including Newtown Market Day or Tavern Night in Washington’s Crossing. We traveled to the Buskers Rendezvous in Kingston Ontario a number of years as well. We performed there and even made it to the top 10 out of around 45 acts a few times. My sons and I went back at the beginning of August this year just to watch. It was awesome to be back. I also did a lot of children’s performances at different libraries and such. Performing took a lot of work, but I had so much fun with it.
I went back to school after performing to become an ESL teacher. I was certified by Trenton State and got my Master’s Degree teaching English as a second language. I taught at the American Language Academy at Rider University teaching adults.
I taught TESOL for a while before retiring from teaching and becoming an interior designer. A part of me has always wanted to be an interior designer. One day I just decided it was time to make the change. I went back to school at The College of Art and Design. When I finished I began my own business about 5 years ago now and I really enjoy it.
There are 2 different pathways when I begin with a client. The first way is a consultation. We can meet for an hour to talk about paint colors, furniture, or any other interior design choices. A consultation is usually $100 and lasts about an hour. If somebody wants more than just a single consultation I will take a complimentary trip to their home. Here they can show me what the vision is and what their style is. We could work together for years if someone wants to do multiple projects like this. I will get to know their vision and give them helpful tools on how to get there. We will walk together on choosing furniture, tile, flooring, painting, or whatever you want to be working on. I have had clients who prefer that I do the shopping for them. In that case I will go and send pictures for them to approve. I am also willing to take people shopping with me. I actually really enjoy that time to get to know the client better and really pick out items they love. I get some awesome discounts that I can share with my clients to keep costs down. It does not have to be super pricey to work with me, it really depends on where you want to go with it.
My personal style would be considered temporary. It has evolved over the years, from traditional to contemporary as my husband and I slowly switch out pieces to fit our style. Here are a few examples;
Q: What do you love most about what you do?
I think it is fun how interior design has a lot of similarities to teaching. Often, people know that they don’t like how their home is, but they don’t know how to change it. That is so much of what I do. Helping them learn what their style is and to figure out how to make their vision come to life. It takes a certain level of understanding people and discovering what they want. They usually know what they want to learn, but they don’t know how to get there. It is fun to walk through that journey with them
Q: Are you involved in any community groups?
I am the Langhorne chapter of BNI. I am also part of the Buckingham women’s alliance and Bucks County Business and Women’s Alliance.
I love to read and am part of a book club with some of my librarian and teacher friends. We really enjoy reading well written novels. I also enjoy reading non fiction for fun. Some of my favorites are; Thinking Fast and Slow, Quiet; the Power of Introverts in a World that Won’t Stop Talking, and Outliers by Malcom Gladwell.
Q: What are some of your favorite local restaurants?
Newtown has so many incredible restaurants and more coming. We can’t wait for the capital grille to open. We really enjoy Blue Fish, Harvest, and Rocco’s.
Q: What is a “Must do” for someone visiting our community?
Grounds for Sculpture. We take all of our visitors there. If you haven’t been, you need to go.
Q: What is your favorite place you have traveled and where do you want to go next?
My favorites are Venice, the South of France, and Sante Fe. I am going back to Sante Fe at the end of September for an interior design conference. I can’t wait to go back. South Korea is one place I would love to visit. My husband is from there so it would be cool to tour with him.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I really like American Idol, America’s Got Talent and Dancing with the Stars. My favorite move right now is Faraway.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
I have two things. Do work that you are passionate about. I have done that with teaching, music, and now interior design. I have really loved everything I have done. My other advice would be, when you add something to your life you have to give something up too. You can’t keep adding things.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Probably go to an interior design conference. I get to scratch that off of the list at the end of September. I am really looking forward to it.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Hopefully I am still helping people decorate their homes.
Q: What is something most people may not know about you?
I get really bad motion sickness. One time I got motion sick in a swimming pool while paddling around on a raft. I was so sick I was stuck under the table during my book club meeting because I couldn’t sit up.
Q: What is your favorite holiday and why?
Thanksgiving. It is not as commercialized as other holidays and I get to be with my family. It is harder to get everyone together when the kids are older so I am grateful for the time with them. I typically host Thanksgiving and really enjoy doing the cooking for it. I really enjoy cooking and entertaining. I call it bringing people together through food.
Q: What are one or two of your favorite smells?
Coffee and Lavender
Q: What words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Cozy, welcoming, and organized.
Q: Where can people find you or your business?