Photo: Laura Sumrak
It’s been a long time since I introduced myself around here! In fact, the last time I did any sort of Q+A was back in this 2010 post. Obviously my background is the same but our family has grown by one more child (who is now 6!) and this business has evolved many many times since then as well! When I began this venture it truly came from wanting to take a leap and do something I loved in a more professional way. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would build a design firm that has given me the opportunity to work with so many wonderful clients or a blog that would provide chances to travel and collaborate with major corporations. It has been an unexpected, fun ride and I have most definitely had an education on the fly!
Each year I tweak things to work for my stage of life and, although, it has seemed slow at times I am happy with the progress of DPI. I have worked hard to find my style, to streamline our processes, and to build a team around myself that makes everything work better! For a long time this team consisted of just the vendors and contractors I worked with on projects, while I managed the designs on my own. I am happy to say that 2018 brought a new addition, Catherine, and she is the perfect fit! Not only is she so sweet and fun, but she is exactly what I needed to take DPI to the next level. She brings new life to our designs with her eye for vintage and she’s always there in a pinch. She does all of this for me while raising three girls under 6! I am so excited for all that we have in store this year and I can’t wait for you guys to get to know Catherine a little better…..so here we go in her own words:
1. Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Cary, NC but my family moved back to Charlotte when I was two. I grew up just a few neighborhoods over from where we live now. It’s always funny to me when people comment that there are no native Charlotteans. My husband grew up here too, so we’re pretty much surrounded by them!
2. What were the first signs that you loved design?
I remember hauling around pieces of my matching, cherry-stained bedroom set (hello, late-nineties!) and rearranging my room over and over again in high school. But I think I really got into design once I was married and we were in our first house. A family friend recommended a couple of blogs, Young House Love and Little Green Notebook, for DIY projects. I went down the rabbit hole discovering great design blogs from there and felt so inspired. I loved being able to make the house feel like ours. I guess those signs are still there, because I’m still hauling pieces of furniture and rearranging rooms!
3. Have you always worked in design? If not, what made you make the switch?
No, my degree is actually in communication. I worked at one of the banks in corporation communications and then at a marketing agency after I had my oldest daughter. Design was always a passion though. My husband and I are now on our third house and third renovation, and we’ve ratcheted up the work involved each time. It’s been such a welcome creative outlet for me.
A couple of years ago, I started a small vintage furniture shop online, and I started helping a few friends decorate their houses. In all honesty, I think it took the positive feedback from those experiences to gain the confidence to move into design as a career and view it as more than a hobby.
4. What is your favorite part of this job?
I love the hunt — looking for that perfect piece of furniture or unique backsplash tile or funky wallpaper. There are so many beautiful options out there. It’s fun to pair them together to create a space that’s modern but still classic and not overdone. Basically I get to look at pretty things all day, and who wouldn’t love that!
It’s also really fulfilling to see the transformation. When you can take a room that a client isn’t happy about and make it into a space that they love, that’s a good feeling. I’m a homebody at heart, and there’s nothing better than being comfortable and content in your house.
5. Where do you draw design inspiration?
Right now, I’m drawing lots of inspiration from moody, natural color palettes. I love contrast and texture too, and I think there are so many inspiring designers who do those so well. I love working at DPI, because I’m constantly learning from Beth and discovering new-to-me designers through her too.
I think I’ll always draw inspiration from vintage pieces. There’s so much interest there, and I think a beautifully designed home has those same elements — layers and interest and, sometimes, imperfections.
6. You have a whole day to yourself in Charlotte, what do you do?
I love this question! For me, there would be nothing better than a day spent thrifting. I’d start the day with a quick breakfast from Poppy’s Bagels, because you have to get out there early! Then head to a few estate sales, or in my ideal day, the Chinoiserie Squirrel sale. I’d hit my favorite consignment shops and thrift stores along Central Avenue with my mom, who is my constant shopping enabler. After lunch at Common Market, there’s more thrifting (the ones off the beaten path have the best stuff!) and a stop at Cotswold Marketplace.
I’d end the day at dinner with friends at a restaurant I haven’t tried yet, which keeps the field pretty open considering we don’t get out to eat much with three kids under six years old. I mentioned that I’m a homebody, so if I’m honest, my perfect day ends here! And I’m in bed with Netflix on the tv by 10 pm.
You guys would not even believe Catherine’s latest renovation…her house is AMAZING and I mean that. She and her husband, Jeff, make a very impressive team and I can’t wait to show you more of their handiwork!