My interest in design began at an early age. When I wasn’t on my beloved bicycle, I could frequently be found sketching: clothes, shoes, houses, furniture, wildlife, etc. My mom was an early supporter; she enrolled me in numerous art classes and enouraged my desire to study art at university.
Like so many, my path meandered through the years. My husband Scott and I built a life and a home focused on our 5 children: Brianna, Johnny, Dylan, Amelia and Ellie- and some truly wonderful furbabies! My love for design was always present. I poured over countless publications and amassed quite a library of books about art, design and other subjects. My home became my ‘design laboratory’ and I made some epic blunders through the years (the Pepto pink dining room!) before settling into my own eclectic style. But I honed my craft studying masters: from Dorothy Draper, Billy Baldwin and Vincent Wolfe to Kelly Wearstler, Thomas Pheasant, Betsey Brown, Nate Berkus and on and on.
Somewhere in the early 2000’s, I began to help family and friends with their reno and design projects and made the decision to dive a bit deeper into the design school syllabus. With some hard work (and a healthy sense of humor), in 2009 Simply by Dana was born.
I have been told that I possess an innate sense of scale and proportion, as well as an understanding of balance and symmetry. However, the artist in me is always driven by personal aesthetic, an appreciation for the distinctive and knowing when to ignore some ‘rules’!
My drive has always been client focused. When embarking on a new project, it’s a bit like dancing with a new partner- we develop a sense of each other, striking just the right balance of form, purpose and trust. Learning about my client stories allows me to provide them with their own personal sanctuary that isn’t contrived or brand specific.
