My initial work in the field entailed 5 years full-time as a designer for a family-owned decorating shop located in historic Petaluma specializing in custom window treatments, followed by employment as a staff designer with a specialty custom furnishings store with 3 locations in the Northbay.

After all those years working for "the store," I was strongly convinced that consumers didn't need another decorator giving them a "sales pitch"...instead, I knew they were eager for fresh and innovative design ideas, practical purchasing advice (including the oh-so-important technical information -- I've found most consumers simply don't know which questions should even be asked prior to purchasing), along with some appropriate respect for their budget, and personal sense of style. Determined to provide just that, Renaissance Design Consultations was born in the Fall of 1992. In that same year, I qualified for professional membership in the trade organization, the International Furnishing & Design Association (IFDA) which is predicated upon education as well as professional experience and recommendations by other trade professionals.

Over the years, my design projects have included:

• a fully-furnished model home for MLB Homes for their Sierra Meadows subdivision (photo on right)
• a fully-furnished circa 1905 VIP guesthouse for Dry Creek Vineyard (premium Healdsburg winery), as well as design services for 4 homes owned by winery staff
• staging of homes to maximize profit and speed sale. In addition to homes staged in Sonoma County (each of which have sold in less than a week - the last for 20K over the asking price); also worked on contract to one of the top staging firms in San Francisco (whose client include Mayor Gavin Newsom).
• multiple design and project management services for the district's Congresswoman, Rep. Lynn Woolsey
• design services for a 10 guest room B&B, the historic Rio Inn (Russian River)
• ...as well as interior design consultation for hundreds of residential (and occasionally commercial) clients over the years.
• I've also taught a 4-session decorating course a number of times in Sonoma County (City-sponsored Parks & Rec. Dept.) in addition to conducting consumer seminars and workshops on color trends.