-
started sewing when she was 8
-
was a featured designer on ABC's Extreme Makeover:
Home Edition
- is
number 7 of 9 children
- is
a featured designer in the real estate staging book
"301 Simple Things"
- is
writing a "How to Open Your Own Redesign Business"
book due out this fall
-
was asked to audition to host a new HGTV design
series... ?
The Early
Years
It all started out with Mary’s 8-year-old creative curiosity
and her mother’s willingness to teach her how to sew. Mary’s
flair for design quickly grew into a lifelong passion. After
studying at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State
University and earning a bachelor’s degree in clothing and
textiles, she immersed herself in the design industry, eager
to work for designers in the world of haute couture.
Haute
Couture
Mary landed a position early on as assistant designer for
Christian Dior wedding gowns and continues to apply the tips
and techniques acquired in the fashion industry to beautiful
home designs.
Business
Savvy Approach
As the founder of an interior designs business in Raleigh,
North Carolina and the surrounding Triangle area, Mary found
that years of experience as a Customer Service Manager for a
Fortune 250 company positioned her perfectly for success.
Using her keen business sense, Mary has kept up with the
rapidly changing face of the industry. She continues to tap
into new trends by providing room redesign services, which
is all the latest rage for an entirely new customer base who
are inspired by the ever-increasing number of home design
shows.
Best
Practices
Over the years, Mary has reaffirmed her beliefs that the
success in the industry of interior designs and decorating
requires a keen business mind combined with a focus on
customer satisfaction. Realizing that the “business of
design” is a fundamental skill that aspiring designers need
to succeed, Mary set her mind to developing valuable
trainings which allow her to share the best practices of
small business as they related to decorating and redesign.
Accomplishments
Mary has taught decorating and business courses to women’s
groups and “trade-only” conferences throughout the nation.
She is a contributing writer for The News and Observer
and The Cary News and is often cited as an expert
contributor in various media sources.
Mary
is a featured designer in the book
301 Simple Things You Can Do to Sell
Your Home Now and for More Money Than You Thought: How to
Inexpensively Reorganize, Stage, and Prepare Your Home for
Sale by Teri B. Clark that will be released
in February of 2007.
Most recently worked on
ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
for the Raleigh episode that aired on January 21, 2007. Her
work was featured on the show as well as on the ABC Extreme
Makeover: Home Edition website.
Mary looks forward to meeting you and hearing your story!
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