Bobbi Rose

After 21 years working in retail, Bobbi Rose decided it was time for a change.

"I wanted a career that would enable me to spend more time with my family, and I wanted to use my creative talents more," she says.

As many Sheffield students know, a career in interior design can be just the ticket for someone seeking a creative outlet that can also produce an income without taking away precious family time.

Ms. Rose took a position as a design assistant at Robb & Stucky, a prestigious furniture and design studio in Naples, Florida, and started to learn what she could on the job. "Working with an established designer was an education in itself, but I felt I should have a formalized education as well. That's why I decided to take the Sheffield course," she says.

She's still at the same position, but she now brings to it "the confidence and credibility I needed to be promoted to my current title of Design Consultant."

In her job, Ms. Rose assists clients in their home furnishings selections, giving advice on everything from floor to ceiling. "I make house calls, do measures, draft floorplans, make formal presentations, and write proposals," she says.

As nearly every Sheffield graduate who goes on to work in the profession finds, interior design isn't just about choosing fabric and lighting; a certain amount of psychology is involved as well, as an interior designer is working with a client in the most intimate of settings: the home.

"Often my job entails hand-holding and problem solving," Ms. Rose says.

While her job has its challenges, such as organizing all the subcontractors, Ms. Rose enjoys "creating `the look,' from color selection to accessorizing. It's like shopping, only someone else pays me to do it."

Ms. Rose has suffered her share of adversity in the past few years. When she was about half way through the Sheffield course, her husband died suddenly, and her stepson returned to live with his mother. Still, she maintains an upbeat outlook: "It has been tough surviving on a Design Assistant salary, but I have refused to give up on my dream job. My husband was the one who really encouraged me to pursue my career in interior design," she says.

It seems a natural then that Ms. Rose is now using her talents to create bright, beautiful looks that bring a lightness to her clients' homes.

"I personally enjoy the beach cottage look, using bright, cheerful colors. The children's room (pictured here) was my favorite, and this was the room I had the most influence in. As a matter of fact, I had to `sell' my designer partner on the beach ball pillows and the awning window treatment. At first she thought I was crazy, but the clients loved the results."

We can see why, and we're sure Ms. Rose has many more clients ahead who will love the results of her talent, training, and keen eye.