I guess you could say my passion for design began at a very young age while curiously peering over my mother’s shoulder while she worked on a new creation at her sewing machine. This curiosity led to my first job at the age of 15 at a local fabric store where my love of fabrics grew! After graduating from the College of Charleston with a BS in Business Administration, I took a short detour from my creative outlets into the world of corporate banking. But quickly found myself drawn back into the world of design and started Main Street Interiors (now called Black Dog Design House) with Gail in 1994. 

Also fueling my passion was the opportunity of working alongside my husband, Jay, while building our first 2 homes and several remodels. Although his definition of my “help” probably differs somewhat from mine, he taught me so many aspects of the building & construction process.

My goal as a designer is to create a comfortable space that reflects my client’s personality and is as unique as you are. The best compliment I receive is when a client’s friend walks into their newly decorated home and says “your home is so you!” Incorporating family heirlooms and personal items into my clients’ home is one way I like to accomplish this feel. As I am a true “picker” at heart, I also love to find vintage pieces to work into your design scheme. Or with the talents of my husband, repurpose them to design a custom piece for you.

I am certified with the Interior Design Society and an active member of the Sawnee Association of the Arts. In my personal time, you will probably find me out running with Jay (especially on the trails around North Georgia), cooking, spending time outdoors at our farm in Banks County or playing with my family and many nieces and nephews.

I was born into a family of many talented carpenters. From a very young age, you could find me working alongside my grandfather in his woodworking shop. In my high school years, I was on the job site with my dad learning all phases of the construction industry. I began my career with the goal of being able to paint a piece of artwork to hang over the mantle that I created that resides in the home that I built.

I love the whole process of building a new home or remodeling an older home. But ultimately, I love creating a space that functions well and looks great for my client. I take great care in finding out exactly how my client will be using the space and aim to give them a final result beyond their expectations.

Additionally, designing and creating a piece of furniture or artwork is my true passion. I love working with my client to design a piece that helps solve their problems and fits their design style – Or repurposing an old piece giving it a new life. Take a look at some of these creations at www.blackdogartstudios.com and www.jaydavidart.com

I am an active member of the Sawnee Association of the Arts and the Cherokee Arts Council. If I’m not creating and building, you will probably find me outdoors -plein air painting, running with MJ or on my tractor at our farm.

From the time I was big enough to hold a hammer, I was right alongside my grandfather and

Dad. I was so interested in how they could make so many pieces of wood come together and

make something amazing. I can remember always gathering up their scrap wood and trying to

build pieces of my own. My dad owned a carpentry business and about age 12, he started

letting me come onsite with him to help. I knew then for the love of working with wood, that

was what I wanted to do for a living just like him. I still to this day love working alongside my

dad whenever we get the chance. I feel very blessed to have met Jay and MJ. They give me the

opportunity to make so many amazing creative pieces – something different and unique every

week. I love how I can take pencil markings on paper and turn it into something great that can

be enjoyed in someone’s home for years to come. In my off time, I enjoy spending every minute

with my family. Most weekends you can find all of us outside building something new for our

own home. My little boy now takes my scrap wood and makes his own vision come to life. It’s a

great feeling watching him enjoy it so much! He helps me go back to my childhood and smile.