What is your past work experience/education?
I recently graduated from ACC with an A.A.S. in Interior Design, after spending 15+ years working in Information Technology in the telecom industry and the computer distribution and reseller markets. When I dreaded waking up and going to work, I decided it was time for me to do something different. Like most people, I was hooked on HGTV and Bob Villa’s This Old House, so to make sure interior design was something I really wanted to do, I took an evening class called Fundamentals of Design, and I knew I was in the right place at the right time.

Where were you raised?
I’m originally from a small town in Pennsylvania, and only ended up in Colorado when the company I just started working for decided to move its headquarters to CO. I remember driving home to tell my Mom about the move and she said, “Go for it, don’t miss out on a great opportunity to experience something new”, and that’s pretty much how I lived most of my life.

In your opinion, what is “good customer service”?
Good customer service is all about taking the time to listen to your customer’s needs and a willingness to help in any given situation. Always following up and always following through, shows your customer that their issue is as important to you as it is to them.

How would you characterize your design style?
My design style is very eclectic, ranging from Craftsman style, Mid Century Modern and Art Deco. I LOVE a good flea market and estate sales!

What is your favorite color?
My favorite colors are green and turquoise. I’m a water sign ( Cancer) and I love the variations of greens and blues associated with nature and the ocean.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I spend my spare time hanging out with my husband Scott, dog Pearlie Mae and cats Winston & CeCe. Since I spent most of my time studying these past few years, Scott and I plan on getting back to hiking and biking throughout Colorado. We want to purchase and refurbish a retro “tin can” camper, since I’m totally over the tent camping scene. I love the outdoors and camping, but I also want some of the basic creature comforts of home.

What is your favorite food?
My favorite foods contain anything with seafood and lamb. Any baked goods containing peanut butter is heaven on earth…..especially chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting!

What methods do you use to turn negative circumstances into positive ones?
I try not dwell on the negative, but to avoid that from happening, I evaluate the situation and figure out what I could have done differently to have a better or different outcome. This way I can handle it differently if it were to happen again.

Anything else we should know?
Fun fact about me, I did my college internship with Walt Disney World in 1986 when I was a hospitality major at Keystone College. I worked at the Orange Tree next to the Tiki birds, selling ice cream cones, orange cream pies, orange juice and frozen orange custard. The best hands-on training and experience I’ve ever had with developing my sales and customer service skills as a young college student.

Marcia can be reached at the Denver C.A.I. Designs Showroom at marciacw@caidesigns.net or by phone at (303) 282-8100 x6973

What is your past work experience/education?
Before joining the CAI team, I worked in retail in the Cherry Creek Shopping District. Prior to moving to Denver, I was in product development designing furniture and lighting for several different home decor companies.

Where were you raised?
I grew up in the Delta in Greenville, MS on the banks of the Mississippi River.

What is your most rewarding project, and why?
I would say my most rewarding project was helping a couple with their condo that they had lived in for a year. The husband never felt like it was his home. His wife and I worked for weeks selecting everything for the living room, dining room, and the master bedroom. Once it was all completed and installed, he said “finally, I’m home.” It was an amazing feeling that he felt that way over items we work with every day.

How would you characterize your design style?
My design style started out as leaning more traditional, but throughout my job experiences it has definitely grown to be more transitional and has a timeless look about it.

In your experience working with C.A.I. Designs thus far, what is/are some of your favorite product lines and why?
My favorite product line is Taracea. The craftsmanship that goes into each unique piece is truly unbelievable. Also, since it is a family-owned company that has several different generations working together to make beautiful product shows how dedicated they are at growing and adapting with changing trends and styles.

What is your favorite color?
Blue.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
I usually spend it playing with my three dogs. We have a lab, a collie, and a St. Bernard so they keep us pretty busy.

What is your favorite food?
Mexican food. I never get tired of it. I could eat it every day for every meal.

Where do you draw your inspiration from? Is there anything you do to get inspired when you hit a slump?
I think inspiration can be drawn from anything. You never know what might strike you.

Kevin can be reached at the Denver C.A.I. Designs Showroom at kevinb@caidesigns.net or by phone at (303) 282-8100 x6971