Erin V.

About Erin

I remember getting in trouble for daydreaming as a child. Now I know that helping you realize your dream space requires some dreaming! It is so much fun to get to know clients and transform your ideas into beautifully functioning designs. Once we choose the beautiful aspects that we will use in your home, I do my best to think through the end operation of them for you. I enjoy creating renderings to show the drapery design that I envision going into your space.

What was your inspiration to pursue your furniture/design career?

I was inspired to be creative from an early age. My family all seemed to have their own artistic talents whether it be music, literature, or painting. I was lucky enough to be exposed to museums and theater early in life. The seasonal decorations at our church were also very inspiring with the great swags of colored material swooping gracefully across the entire ceiling. At some point before the age of 10, I started using graph paper to plan out the furniture in my bedroom. Drawing and painting were a constant in life. Interior design seemed a perfect way to turn my passion for art into a career.

After design school I worked at Sherwin-Williams for 10 years before finding my place in window treatments. Working there as an in-store designer and assistant manager furthered my focus on design trends and color theory. I enjoyed matching colors and relished the challenge of matching a stain sample. I learned about wallpaper. There were so many great technical and chemical aspects of the trade and I loved learning all those details. I wanted to be able to work more directly with clients in their home, but still wanted to be able to focus on one aspect of design and get to know the nuances of a new product.

In 2013, I started as a sales consultant in blinds and drapery. It was such a good feeling to meet new people in the community every day. I loved to help them solve a problem or make their home a sweeter space to spend with their families. Window treatments can make such a dramatic physical and emotional impact on a home. They can block heat, frame a dramatic view, soften acoustics and add color and texture on a large scale.

What’s your favorite design tip?

Your home should be a reflection of you. Design your home to your taste. It makes me sad when someone wants to use a certain fabric in their home, but they pull back saying, “but what about resale?” Don’t worry about what your home’s next owner may think. Choose the design aspects that make YOU feel great in your space!
What do you love most about helping people design and furnish their home?
We see so many beautiful fabrics in our wide selection. I love the process of getting to know each client and finding that perfect fabric for their interior. Taking this glimmer of an idea and turning it into a fully realized treatment is so satisfying. It’s so great to hear clients’ reactions on installation day. I love hearing them say how much they love the draperies and how they can’t believe what a difference they make in their room.

How would you describe your personal design style?

My personal design preference is to use natural materials in a cozy space. There are so many pieces that highlight nature’s wonder. I love an interior where those natural pieces are elevated by bringing in the glamour of a clean line, a bright metal, or an element of sparkle.

What is your favorite project that you’ve worked on here at Norwood?

Working at Norwood Furniture allows so much creativity. With each client we can create a completely unique interior. That is the best part! I loved working on a room with so many layers of color and adding drapery and a cornice with brush trims, leather elements and nail heads. Yet in another house we added a glass beaded wallpaper in a subdued color. It was so soft and elegant it transformed a small circular powder room into a space fit for a queen. Being able to offer reupholstery solutions, wallpaper, and drapery in conjunction with the designer planning the furniture and accessories is a game changer.