F.A.Q.

1. Why should I hire a design consultant?

Do you have spaces in your home that need obvious transformations, or maybe just a fresh look? One of my strengths is that I can do a quick visual edit and create a plan to make these changes quickly and easily with very little cost to you. Sometimes just the thoughtful rearrangement of furniture and the removal of clutter can give your space new life.

If a larger project is what you have in mind, we can sit down and discuss paint colors and find new pieces to replace tired or worn furniture. After that, we can add accessories like pillows, artwork, and light fixtures that will do wonders to refresh and renew your spaces.

I am willing to do the legwork to shop for anything necessary. I have reasonably-priced favorite stores and online shops with wonderful resources. It is amazing what I can find in a very short amount of time!

If your space requires a full-blown renovation, I will act as project manager or ‘owner’s representative’ to help you get through what can often be an overwhelming experience. Having someone to anticipate your needs and answer the contractors’ questions in a timely and professional manner can prevent costly delays and budget over-runs.

2. Why (and when) should I hire a wardrobe curator?

Finding the perfect dress for a special occasion can be daunting, overwhelming and time-consuming. You may find that I can help you re-purpose a few pieces and make new outfits that you had never before discovered.

Have you gone through your closet to get rid of what you haven’t worn? Have you organized your wardrobe to make it easy for you to select an outfit each day? I can do an entire closet edit in as little as an hour. Sometimes organizing garments by color and season can make a difference in how you face getting dressed every day.

If something completely new and fabulous is in order, let me scour the internet and local boutiques and offer suggestions. I will bring/order pieces for you to try on. In one summer alone, I selected 8-10 special occasion dresses for family members using trusted sights that allow for free shipping and returns. Let me do the leg work. All you have to do is tell me what you are looking for and try it on when it arrives. I also work with a tailor and can pin garments to your fit and figure. Together, you and I will complete your look with the perfect shoes, accessories and undergarments.

As you can see from my fashion photos, capsule dressing is a wonderful concept that takes the guesswork out of dressing for different occasions. The capsule idea centers around organizing your pieces so that everything in a specific capsule will work together and can be interchanged depending on the event. For instance, you might pair a cute skirt form your “weekend capsule” with a t-shirt for daytime and wear the same skirt that evening with a more formal top and shoe. Think Garanimals! Each item in a well curated capsule will work with any other piece.

3. If I want something fresh, will you source new pieces for me?

I can — see this addressed in #1 and #2 above!

4. How would you describe your style?

Fun, refined, and often a bit irreverent. There are rules, but fashion is only limited by your imagination, and some rules like mixing patterns and colors, are meant to be stretched. Also, it is sometimes important to invest in certain splurge garments. For instance, over 30 years ago, while I was a freelance photographer for the Associated Press in Boston, I made a mere $5 an hour. However, that pauper’s salary didn’t prevent me from grabbing the most beautiful chocolate suede bomber jacket off the rack at a Back Bay vintage clothing store. Fifty dollars was a stretch, but one that I have never regretted. This piece has been front and center in my wardrobe over the decades. While fast fashion has its place — sometimes you need that $20 trendy top — balancing these concepts is where I come in.

My style has evolved over the years, but one constant is that I love to create energy or excitement with each outfit I select. I love mixing staple vintage pieces with fresh garments to keep my look current. As a visual artists, I keenly see the pictures created in different outfits. I express myself through my love for mixing styles, textures, genres, and patterns. I can help you define yourself through fashion.

5. What kind of fashion experience do you have?

I do not remember a time when I wasn’t interested in fashion. I am embarrassed to say I once wore my mother’s (too big) spectator pumps to school in sixth grade because I thought they were fabulous. I also talked my Aunt Fran into buying me suede platforms after getting a firm “No!” from my mother because I was only in first grade.

My professional visual life developed while I was earning my degree in photojournalism at the University of Michigan. Following graduation, I worked for The Observer and Eccentric Newspaper in Detroit and The Cape Cod Times. For the next 10 years I worked as a photojournalist for the Associated Press in Boston and Philadelphia. Through my camera lens, I learned to see color, form, and composition during these years.

When my daughter was a toddler I wasn’t ready for full-time work; I sold a beautiful line of woman’s clothing by appointment in Denver. For five years I helped women from corporate executives to homemakers build wardrobes suited to their needs. This is where I honed my experience pinning garments to my clients’ particular figures so my tailor could complete the fit. Fortuitously, being around such finely constructed and detailed garments inspired me.

I can meet your clothing needs because of my lifelong love for fashion, my years working in photography and editing, and my experience as a wardrobe consultant.

6. Can I see more samples of your work?

Please peruse the website to see my capsule photo edits as well as photos from my home projects. Set up a free online consultation if you do not live in the greater Detroit area, or allow me to come to you for a home or fashion assessment, at your convenience.

7. If I want to work with you, how do I get started?

Please fill out the form in the contact section, and I will reach out to you as soon as possible.

8. How much will my project cost?

I charge an hourly rate and use Toggl to track time spent. I am happy to do Zoom meetings, phone, or in-person preliminary consultations to assess your needs, free of charge.

9. How do you take payment?

I will send an invoice via either PayPal or email, and I accept both checks and PayPal transfers.