Employee Spotlight

Meet Jackie | Troy Fabric Specialist

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What is your past work experience/education?

I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art/Graphic Design from Michigan State University. Upon graduating, I worked as a graphic designer specializing in publication design. Next up was inside sales in the garment manufacturing industry and eventually moved on to working with interior designers at the Michigan Design Center. Leading up to CAI Designs, I worked in various showrooms at the MDC: B.Berger; Thybony; Duralee; Robert Allen; Baker/Rozmallin.

Where were you raised?

In Grosse Pointe, Michigan on the shores of beautiful Lake Saint Clair – the little lake between Lake Huron and Lake Erie.

What is your most rewarding project and why?

It is easy to love the big projects, but I get as much satisfaction in tracking down and securing the last yard of a discontinued fabric for a designer in desperate need to complete a project.

In your experience working with C.A.I. Designs thus far, what is/are some of your favorite product lines and why?

As a new hire, I am selling Thibaut product – a favorite – and previously sold Thibaut in the Thybony, Duralee and Rozmallin Showrooms.

What is your favorite color?

Turquoise.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I have enjoyed a long devotion to theater arts, from grade school through college and many years following with Grosse Pointe Theatre as a dancer, choreographer, set designer and director.

If you could travel back in time, where/when would you go and why?

Ancient Egypt – I am curious to know how the pyramids were engineered and built.

How would you characterize your design style?

Curated over a period of time with various style influences.

What is your favorite food?

Italian – it’s in the DNA!

What is your favorite TV series?

Frasier – I watch the reruns.

Anything else you would like to share?

I have been fascinated with textiles since the age of five, and the fascination never ends.

Jackie can be reached in the Troy showroom at jackied@caidesigns.net or by phone at 248-822-1300×8334.

Favorite Things

Claudia’s Favorite Find

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The Marais Sectional by Interlude Home is my favorite find. This is a new frame for us, it’s sleek, sexy and extremely comfortable.

Because it’s not very deep, and yet, the cushions are inviting and cozy. It’s offered in many performance fabrics including beautiful bouclés.

Contact Claudia, our Scottsdale Furniture Specialist, at claudiac@caidesigns.net or (480)-565-3775 x 6933

Favorite Things

Kelly’s Favorite Find

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My favorite find this month is the Small Urchin Chandelier by Ngala Trading. It is featured in our Scottsdale showroom in stunning black leather with inner crystal accents.

This product is my favorite right now because it is made in South Africa by hand and made with leather, which is a very uncommon material used in lighting. I love that there are multiple color ways that you can select from for this chandelier.

Contact Kelly, our Scottsdale Lighting Specialist, at kellyh@caidesigns.net or (480)-565-3775 x6937

Favorite Things

Katie’s Favorite Find

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The Notion Ottoman by Wesley Hall is a large, cylindrical accent piece featuring custom fabric upholstery, designed for use as a footrest, center cocktail table alternative, or an extra seat.

I love that it comes standard with casters for ease of transportation around any room. I also appreciate the wood detail (available in many finishes) which gives it just a little something extra, without being too overpowering. 

Contact Katie, our Scottsdale Jr. Furniture Specialist, at katieb@caidesigns.net or by phone at (480)-565-3775 x6930.

Favorite Things

Carol’s Favorite Find

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The Ottavia Queen Sofa Bed by Bracci is a sleeper sofa available in leather and fabric. The mattress is Italian made, breathable, antibacterial, ergonomic, and natural.

The sofa and mattress are both extremely comfortable. It offers a convenient design that features attached cushions, making it easy to open without having to require more storage space. It is a great piece for smaller spaces and is easy for guests to open!

Contact Carol, our Scottsdale Showroom Manager, at carolw@caidesigns.net or (480)-565-3775 x 7060

Favorite Things

Carlita’s Favorite Find

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The Julian Chichester Dorothy Dining Side Chair is upholstered in a tan New Zealand Sheepskin that is soft to the touch with black hand sewn leather with ochre color stitching and brass details on the legs and feet.

This is the most comfortable dining chair that I have ever sat in! The back has a rocking motion that makes you want to sit in this chair for a long period of time. The fun texture of the fabric makes for a unique look. The overall style of the chair has a modern feel with the beautiful black leather and the accents of brass that brings out the ochre stitching. Everything comes together to make this chair the perfect sit.

Contact Carlita, our Arlington Heights furniture specialist, at  carlitap@caidesigns.net or by phone at (847) 398-4785×6761

Favorite Things

Melissa’s Favorite Find

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The Fiori Chandelier by Lib&Co. resembles an illuminated branch with gracefully twisting stems forming its unique structure. It is available in many different shapes and sizes. They can even do a custom finish if you prefer!

I love the handmade frosted and clear glass blossoms integrated with LED inside each flower. It creates an ethereal glow. This piece brings a sense of natural elegance indoors.

Contact Melissa, our Arlington Heights Lighting Specialist, at melissaw@caidesigns.net or (847) 590-9835 x6781

Favorite Things

Steven’s Favorite Find

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My favorite find for this month is the Nocturne Bed Collection made for CAI. With rounded corners and a border welt detail, the King bed featured in our Arlington Heights showroom is 63″ tall.

This collection allows you to create any style or function of bed, including platforms and storage drawers, custom heights and shapes, and trim details!

Contact Steven, our Midwest Regional Sales Manager and Arlington Heights Showroom Manager at stevens@caidesigns.net or (847)-398-4785×6760.

Favorite Things

Jonathan’s Favorite Find

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The Faenza Cocktail Table by Alfonso Marina is my favorite find. This Primavera wood cocktail table is composed of two pieces that complement each other beautifully. The larger table has a top with rounded corners that rests on sturdy banded legs – the contrast between thick and thin elements is gorgeous. The smaller piece is intricately carved providing a foil to the smoothness of the larger table. It reads as a beautifully crafted piece of sculpture. 

I love that the pieces can be separated depending on the use case. It takes up space; this is one of those pieces that has presence! Alfonso Marina does such a beautiful job with their finish work and this is a great example of that. The sumptuous surfaces really pop against light upholstery.

Contact Jonathan, our Chicago Furniture Specialist, at jonathanc@caidesigns.net or (312) 755-9163×7003

Favorite Things

Julie’s Favorite Find

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The Sea Urchin Chandelier by Ngala is my favorite find. It is featured in our Chicago showroom in Cream-Stone Leather. This chandelier is handcrafted by artisans who have enhanced their craft over many years. Most of Ngala’s products are sourced from family-owned businesses, with the majority of whom are women-owned and women-led.

The chandelier’s varying lengths create a soft silhouette that feels sculptural and elegant from every angle. There are a variety of unique leather colors that allows for a more personalized and distinctive design statement. I love that Ngala combines hand craftsmanship with ethical and local partners that result in both high quality and beautiful products.

Contact Julie, our Chicago Lighting Specialist, at juliej@caidesigns.net or (312) 755-9163×7005