Trailblazing Designers
Dona Holland of Craze, Inc. Interior Design &
Trish McCall of Elizabeth Cole Design
“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Highly successful designers are most often those who don’t lead their clients down the same worn path, but rather ask pertinent questions, listen to the details of the answers, and then forge a new trail of creativity. These designers understand the importance of interpreting both the grandiose ideas as well as the fine nuances of their client. Such an understanding not only serves as a platform to ignite imaginative thought processes and exceed expectations, it many times nourishes the seeds of friendship.
Our design community is full of positive, nurturing, supportive and lasting relationships that began as a collaborative effort between a designer and someone who trusted that designer to help them actualize their dreams.
Such a friendship developed several years ago between Dona Holland of Craze, Inc. Interior Design and Trish McCall of Elizabeth Cole Design. Dona was referred (the best kind of introduction a designer can have) by two different individuals. Trish was in the beginning stages of building a 5,000+ square foot home and at the time her career was in the insurance and risk management field. After meeting Dona and learning her approach to her role and vision for the project, Trish engaged Craze Inc. Interior Design. Trish credits Dona’s attention to detail and follow-up, her solutions-driven attitude, and her vast knowledge of products and materials with making the year plus project enjoyable, educational, inspiring, and beautifully successful. So much so, Trish knew her “next” career would somehow encompass design, furniture, and creativity. Fast forward to May 2009 when Trish McCall and Johnna Schmitz (another relationship cultivated years ago through excellent customer service – but we’ll save that story for another time) opened Elizabeth Cole LLC. The store is a comprehensive resource of furniture, accessories, art, and floral product to the trade.
The relationship that began years ago with one project continues to flourish. Dona and Andrea Doss, also of Craze Inc. are frequent shoppers at Elizabeth Cole. And, Trish extended the ultimate compliment to a designer and has again recently engaged Dona and Craze to assist in a complete remodel project for another home. This story is repeated again and again with Dona and similar designers throughout the community. A successful project and collaboration leads to a friend or family member and another successful project. That project leads to a grandmother, or niece, or brother, and a multi-generational relationship is forged.
Yes, designers are about conception, creativity, and new ideas. But, a project completed by the collected and synergetic efforts of a designer and their client with whom they’ve shared chapters of their lives, enjoyed conversation over a glass of wine, supported through sadness, and experienced laughter and joyous moments --- now, that’s true success.
As a designer, may you leave a trail rather than follow the path that’s been trodden many times before. And, as a client, may your next project not be a push toward the same old exhausted route, but rather an adventure imagined and lead by a trailblazer.
* submitted by Dona and Trish
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