Building Big Sky: Three Decades of Design and Community

In an industry where trends come and go, lasting success is built on trust, expertise and a genuine connection to the community. For the past three decades, I’ve worked hard to grow my commercial and residential interior design company, Big Sky Design, into a respected Wilmington brand known for thoughtful design, exceptional service, and deep knowledge of the place I call home. 

But my story is about more than design. It's a story of entrepreneurship, perseverance, and a passion for helping people create spaces that reflect who they are. 

I grew up on the water on Long Island, but our family regularly vacationed in North Carolina. I was eager to follow in my brother’s footsteps to attend Wake Forest University, where I played Division I volleyball and learned the art of multitasking, which has served me well later in life. I majored in art and philosophy, and then earned my master’s degree at UNC-Greensboro in interior design. 

I moved to Wilmington, where I was lucky enough to work with two fantastic architectural firms, and I received a real-time education about the construction industry and the Port City. I had the pleasure of working on design renovations for three aquariums – at Fort Fisher, Pine Knoll Shores and Roanoke Island – and I realized that I wanted to branch out on my own. 

I started Big Sky Design in 1997 out of my house. I was newly married and had two babies in tow, along with a ton of wall, flooring, lighting, and fabric samples. Some sales reps probably remember looking at samples in my driveway back then.  

One of my key missions has always been to make a difference in public spaces by improving how people felt in them. For instance: going into a doctor’s office and sitting in a gray box is not ideal. I like to think about how sound travels, how colors and patterns influence space, soft lighting, and finishes that are warmer and less institutional. Small changes like these can add comfort, subconsciously, in a place that can be a source of anxiety.  

Having that positive impact on every project I tackle has always been important to me. One of my all-time favorite projects was teaming up with Smith-Gage Architecture to design the Northeast Branch Library, and I particularly loved the chance to get creative with natural light. 

After a couple of years and a lot of business growth, I realized I needed a real office space. I moved Big Sky Design to an office in the Masonboro area, where I stayed for the next two decades. In that time, I expanded and worked with a team of like-minded designers, which was and continues to be wonderful. I love working with other designers and a support team, because design is much more fun when you’re working with people who love what they do. 

In 2020, we relocated to Bradley Creek Station, where our team continues to serve clients throughout the Cape Fear region. Today, Big Sky specializes in both commercial and residential design, creating thoughtfully curated spaces that reflect the people and businesses who use them every day. Looking back, I feel incredibly grateful to have built a company I love in a community I care so deeply about. Wilmington has grown and evolved over the years, and it has been a privilege to help shape some of the spaces that define it. As our city continues to grow, I'm excited for the opportunity to create environments that enhance how people live, work, and connect for many years to come.