When
I was graduating from George Washington University with my Masters in Interior
Design, I had developed a passion for making homes more accessible for Aging in
Place/Universal Design. Working for a Kitchen & Bath company so that I
could focus on my passion made the most practical sense in my career
progression. Joining the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) and
working toward earning Kitchen and Bath certifications became my goal.
However,
jobs in this industry weren't readily available, so I set out to learn as much
as I could and continue to look for opportunities to design kitchens and baths
because they are the two most important and functional rooms in the home.
My
first real step was working for the Mary and Cathy Team of Long and Foster
Realtors, as a Project Manager for Remodeling and Renovations. The work
consisted of budgeting, scheduling contractors, selecting and purchasing
materials and finishes. The bulk of the projects were to renovate or
remodel kitchens and baths for residental resale. I learned a lot.
Then
due to unforeseen circumstances, I took a detour for a year to be their Staging
Manager. It was truly fun and the crew were great hard-working people. Still
loving Kitchens and Baths, I could do a couple projects on the side via my
company, Function First Design.
In
January, this year (2017), I made the leap out of the nest to focus exclusively
on Function First Design. However, while still getting to do an occasional bath
or kitchen, I was getting heavy into decorating with an emphasis on furniture
and fabrics. Fortunately, I had never stopped looking for that special Kitchen
and Bath company. My dream came true when I recently accepted a full-time
position with The Kitchen Guild/BathExpress.
I can't wait to start next week.
