About Our Founder
Creative interior design elevates culture, life, and business. Branded design tells a story and sells—our clients routinely land in Inc. and Fortune magazines as the best places to work.
I am the founder of Metropolitan Studio® and Sutton & Co., catalysts for creating one-of-a-kind spaces in residential living, senior living communities, multi-family housing, higher education, corporate environments, resorts, and hospitality—along with unique projects that spark our interest.
With a background in business, interior design, interior architecture, and illustration, I see possibilities that others may overlook, crafting dream spaces that inspire creativity, innovation, imagination, and profitability.
My journey began in Roanoke, Virginia where I grew up and developed a deep passion for art and design. Though I had the opportunity to graduate high school early, I chose to stay and take part in a transformative, once in a life time experience, two-week trip to New York City with my fashion merchandising class, where I gained an insider’s view of the industry at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Encouraged by my father, a native New Yorker, to attend college outside of NYC, I pursued my education at Ferrum College, a top art transfer school, earning an associate degree in fine arts and business. I then transferred to the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill where I focused on business and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Economics with an emphasis in accounting.
Recognizing my artistic talent, my painting professor at UNC recommended me for an illustration scholarship at the Museum School, affiliated with Tufts University in Boston, MA.
I later continued my studies at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia earning another degree, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Interior Architecture and Interior Design.
With this strong foundation in design and business, I launched my business, Metropolitan Studio in 1997 after working at an architecture firm and development group mastering the trade.
I was a leading member at Erickson Living Development Group during its early start-up years and later founded Sportzwave, a venture we successfully sold in 2010. These experiences shaped my expertise in blending business strategy with exceptional design to create environments that reflect company culture, inspire employees and clients, and drive innovation.
Beyond design, I am an avid golfer and skier who enjoys traveling across the U.S. and internationally, always seeking new inspiration and experiences that influence my work and fuel my passion for transformative design with a focus on health and wellness.
“I encourage everyone to discover what truly excites them and pursue it with passion.”
Our Services
Our services include Interior Architecture, Interior Design, along with purchasing and procurement. We also work on an advisory level, including providing workshops, visionary sessions, coaching, space allocation studies, public speaking arrangements, art selection and packaging, and additional services.
We work on projects that stir our passion and transform environments to elevate businesses, families, attract highly skilled employees, and easily entices new clients. We use our proprietary ten-step process to create inspirational environments, and our projects and clients win national and international awards. Our clients are routinely listed in Inc. magazine and Fortune magazine as the best places to work.
Success Stories
Awards
SC&H Group has been named among the Top 100 Accounting Firms in Accounting Today, “Future 50” List by Smart CEO Magazine, and a multi-year winner of the “Best Place to Work” by the Baltimore Magazine and Inc. Magazine.
We are thrilled to be a leading member of the design team for the SC&H Corporate Offices in Sparks.
We created a classic elegant style that projects a stream of positive energy from mixing and combining various textures, colors, patterns, etc., for the interiors.
“People want to be inspired. Engaging environments build commitment and character. The memorable, exhilarating, stimulating atmosphere is essential to attract the best of the best team members. Cool, beautiful surroundings is an important element to create innovation and greatness.”
In Bali, the Royal Venya Resort received the International Property Awards- Best International New Hotel Construction and Design. It also earned the Asia Pacific Property Awards- Best Hotel Construction and Design Indonesia.
We thoroughly enjoyed being included by the inPLACE Design team and working on this exquisite resort.
The design team focused on using the outside and surrounding landscape as inspiration for the interior design. There was a focus on various textures and natural materials with a neutral color palette to let the greenery and the surrounding rice patties be recognized and appreciated in all of their beauty and glory.
Collaborating with creative teams leads to innovative projects, which then result in awards.
Creating exciting and beautiful spaces increases efficiency and positively influences a company’s culture. A company’s culture attracts the best of the best and affects the retainment of team members long-term.
Our clients routinely end up in influential magazines and win awards for their company’s culture. They are recognized with awards for thinking out of the box on their projects and subsequently because they are movers and shakers.
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