Even as a child I was always fascinated in architecture and design. It appealed to me from not only the beauty but the technical execution. Creation and creativity meet transforming ideas, inspiration and raw materials into homes , accomplishment, realized goals and dreams.

I started my technical training early in high school through vocational courses in AutoCAD at 16 but I knew I had to get hands on experience. Determined to make my passion my career I went through the phone book (guess that dates me a bit) and called every architectural firm listed looking for an opportunity. Waldemar Eklof, the last architect in the phone book provided me with my first opportunity while still in high school. I started out as an office assistant which consisted of running plans to contractors and clients, making copies and general clerical work.

The Atlantis Resort and Casino was getting ready to under go major renovations and upgrades and I got my first break. While I didn’t know it at the time I was being assigned to work with my life-long mentor Don White. AutoCAD wasn’t something Don was proficient in but was a talented and old-school architect who drafted by hand and it was my job to take his hand drawings and draft them in AutoCAD. Don was very particular teaching me the old traditions and that the plans represented him the craft and dedication to detail. The importance of clean , clear and well laid out plans wasn’t lost on me, I absorbed everything Don was willing to teach like a sponge, the placement of text, dimension lines, line weights, detail schedules anything and everything meant something and I had better know it and execute it with perfection. Don also taught me that a lady never drinks beer from a can, I’ll admit this is one lesson I didn’t learn. A few of the major projects I worked on with Don where the Sky Bridge at the Atlantis and the former Carson Station Casino in Carson City.

I continued to work with Don for many years and moved with him to two other firms where I continued my hands-on education with many other talented architects. I worked on everything from apartment complexes, custom homes, schools and institutions. I had originally planned to attend school and become an architect myself but found the discipline didn’t align with my core.

Looking to broaden my hands-on education I went into cabinetry drawn again by the technical execution and the physical beauty of a finely crafted and designed kitchen or bathroom. At the time I was working for an architecture firm and things where slowing down but offered me an opportunity to go to work for one of their largest clients, a custom home builder who was opening their own cabinetry and door shop and needed someone who could design and do drawings that could be presented to clients as well as create the technical documentation for the shop to build the cabinets, I jumped at the opportunity.

I have spent the next 20 years doing kitchen and bath cabinetry designs for various shops in the area. The cabinetry industry was rapidly changing and becoming more automated with machinery and clients wanted more that 2D drawings. I took the opportunity to move from AutoCAD into specialty design software that could deliver the 3D realistic renderings clients wanted but would also create the necessary files for the automated equipment in the shops. I quickly developed a reputation for being one of the most proficient and skilled designers in the industry. I went freelance 15 years ago which allowed me to work from home to raise my two step children and 3 more my husband Joe and I added along the way. Over the past 15 years I have continued to work on projects including designing and building two of my own custom homes (hands-on pounding nails).

I tell you all this because this is who I am, I sometimes have a foul mouth likely from spending a lot of time with my grandfather who was a trucker. I am respectful but opinionated. I have worked in a male dominated industry from a very early age and am completely comfortable on a job site to make sure the project is being executed as designed.

Once a client has agreed to the concept I go to work focusing on the details, can it be done, how can it be built, what materials will be used. The details need to be addressed prior to going through and drawing a complete set of blueprints. As Don taught me the details matter the most we can’t design and draw what we don’t know. This approach at first will seem painfully detailed and there won’t be a lot to show for it however once the design is completed and ready every contractor and supplier will understand the expectations and how to execute the project leading to projects that stay on schedule and budget…. The process isn’t divine but your space will be.