Hometown: Dallas, Texas
-Age: 99
- Education: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
- Current Occupation: Interior Merchandiser, Furniture Designer
- Years designing: 15
- First design memory:
Winning a national award for the first house I worked on at my first interior merchandising job . It was sponsored by Sherwin Williams, and I hand painted 24 pieces of furniture each with a different finish or motif. Lots of work, but well worth it! After the first year, I gained the opportunity to venture off and begin my own firm.
- What did you aspire to be as a child?
When I was ten, I had an assignment that I had to answer that question. I wrote that I wanted to be a teacher or an artist.
Can’t see the teacher thing. I admire and praise those gifted people. Anyone who deals with “real life” fits in that category. I would take home the concern for each child and their individual needs to no end. I work best in the world of sheetrock, sawdust, paint, and furnishings. It’s always fixable.
- What would be your ultimate dream design project?
I have a house that I want to remodel here in Dallas. I have worked on the floor plan and specifications just in time to put on hold for well, you know the reasons. Now I am a landlord, for a while anyway.
- When designing, what can’t you live without?
Navigation, I have absolutely no sense of direction. No such thing as going straight from point “A” to point “B”.
- Name a design trend that should go away?
None. Your home is about expressing yourself. Design is subjective, even though there are important elements that need to be incorporated, there are so many right ways to achieve good design. Just because I am not a fan of faux finish, doesn’t mean it should go away. I have seen beautiful homes that work with trends I personally would never choose. But it is not my house and it is comfortable and they love it.
- State one thing that others don’t know about you.
I give people too many chances. It has cost me, but I am grateful I am me. Oh, and I’ve dj’d with Vanilla Ice, aka “Ice”.
- Strangest design request:
Put the American Flag on everything and it has to work. Actually, it was a great marketing strategy and worked!
- At what point of the day do you feel most inspired?
After a cup of coffee.
- You want me to design around that?
Awful columns due to a necessary air conditioning vent added. Architect missed a few details…
- My secret to design:
No secret. As anything, immerse yourself in your project and seek out every resource. Define your vision, and attempt to communicate it the best way possible. We all don’t speak the same language.
- What I plan to do with my $25,000:
The list is long!
1. My kids want to go to their Summer Christian Camp’s Winterfest in East Texas. It is a weekend version during Christmas break. They just got back this week and are as happy and inspired in their faith as ever. And so is mine.
2. I have several charities that are near to my heart. The last few years have not given me the opportunity to give what I would like. I don’t have a lot of time, so I hope to be able to donate financially. I will blog about these in more detail.
3. A little indulgence for me- SPA! My kids give great back massages (for 20 seconds), but thinking of a full day!
4. A new bicycle (for me).
5. Bonuses for my staff. Sshhh. Don’t tell them. My two key people have “stuck” with me over four years. God knows they deserve it!
- Favorites:
Color: You have to be kidding!
Music: Is this a Myspace page? I like everything, especially live. Not a huge heavy metal fan, unless it is from the eighties (memories…).
Song: The Wedding March. Just joshing. My eleven year old sings the cutest version of “Amazing Grace”.
Food: Anything cooked for me. Pancakes sound good right now. And of course, chocolate anything.
Website: Facebook
Movie: Usual Suspects
TV Show: XM radio
Room to design: Kitchen
Thing in your home: My children. And my kitchen
Hobbies:
Girls night “in” (movie, popcorn, pizza), going for a run on a nice day with my eight year old on her scooter, dressed like a princess (or having her “reconsider” her choice of her bikini to something more scooter friendly), “dance parties”- moving all the furniture and busting a move with kids on the kitchen island dancing their hearts out, water sports- anything near water, any social event you have to come up with a creative costume, taking my kids to church and driving with them in the back and listening to their conversations (will blog on that for sure), backstage at concerts with my girlfriend who is an entertainment attorney- great stories there (stories and photos coming soon)!
Design tip:
Notice everything around you. Let it inspire you.
Susanne, I love the fact that you “dj’d with Vanilla Ice” – classic! And I can certainly relate to your home “dance parties”. When lived in my condo, I used to move all the furniture out of my combined living and dining room once a year to turn into a dance floor. So fun to see your personality come alive in this online interview. The best of luck to you in the contest!
Thank you, Laura! Thanks for keeping up and reading! Who would of thought? He is actually a decent guy. Learned a some about him at the show and got to visit with him at a couple of recording sessions, he has two children the same age as mine. I also met his producers “Earthquake”, “Z”, and also with rappers “Trey D”, and “Warrior”. I told “Ice” – “I will take Vanilla Ice for 1,000, please”. Very fun and novel!
Thanks so much for the well wishes, working to make it happen!
Sus
P.S. I was reading through your email newsletter, and will be posting some info I have enjoyed absorbing, so look for it.
Girlfriend, you are holding up WELL for a 99 year-old.
Thanks, and thanks for reading! Hope you are enjoying the competition. Cheers, Susanne
Nice profile and history, mmmm.. funny thing though, you don’t look 99 , lol