MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: GLORIA STAATS

DESCRIBE YOUR JOURNEY TO DESIGN AND HOW YOU GOT TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY.

Shaping environments for positive impact. Growing up in Puerto Rico, I've been drawn to transforming the world around me. From painting my childhood room to tending to the family garden, I've always been passionate about designing spaces.

To further explore this passion, I pursued a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology at the University of Puerto Rico This educational journey helped me understand human behavior and cognition, inspiring me to explore how design can influence our emotions and well-being. To expand my horizons, I ventured to Florida with a suitcase full of determination and earned a Master's Degree in Psychology. During my academic pursuits, I discovered the deep connection between psychology and design, realizing that shaping the environment can positively effect mental and emotional states.

Now, I'm excited to explore opportunities that merge my passion for psychology and design to create spaces that nurture well-being. I'm always eager to leverage my educational background and innate design sense to influence environments for the better.

WHO WAS THE FIRST INTERIOR DESIGNER TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION ON YOU?

The Designers who inspire me and my career. Throughout my career, there have been several designers who have influenced my work and the way I serve my clients. Thanks to IDS, many of them have now become my friends. Attending conferences and events like HPMKT have been key in connecting with designers from all over the nation and becoming part of a community. My business started with a solid background in staging and color consulting, and I had the pleasure of meeting Elizabeth Scruggs during my staging certification. She was assisting Kristie Barnett, the Decorologist®, during our hands-on training. Since then, I have followed her career and witnessed how she was develop her business, all while being kind and generous to others. 

Designers like Debbe Daley and Wendy Woloschuck have also been a great source in inspiration and always provided me with valuable insights. I am grateful to say that they have also become dear friends over the years.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT INFLUENCE YOU, ASIDE FROM FURNITURE AND DÉCOR?

I strongly believe that our environment has a significant impact on our well-being and identity. I am committed to merging psychology and design to positively influence people's lives, one space at a time. I also find that traveling is a boundless source of inspiration. Through my journeys, I learn about the various design aesthetics and functions worldwide. It enables me to understand and appreciate diverse cultures and their unique preferences, expanding my client base and introducing clients to a wider range of options. 

WHAT ARE YOUR GO-TO BASICS?

For me, going back to my process is a "go-to-basic". Thanks to the guidance of experienced coaches like Nancy Ganzekaufer and LuAnn Nigara, I realize that having a well-defined process, and continuously refining it as my business develops, is critical to my success as an interior designer. It enables me to design unique spaces while providing exceptional service to my clients. Like many of my colleagues, I begin with a Discovery Call and Initial Consultation with my clients. This allows me to gain a deeper understanding of their needs, goals, and desires, laying the foundation for providing them with top-notch service. Regarding interior design basics, I believe that getting to know my clients' objectives and aspirations is key to creating a personalized and distinctive space for them. Therefore, I don't have a definitive "go-to" style, but rather adapt my selections to the client's specific needs. 

ARE YOU SEEING ANY PARTICULAR STYLE REQUESTS TRENDING AMONGST YOUR CLIENTS?

I live in the northeast of Florida, and many of my clients are conservative in their decision-making. I get a lot of requests for the "farmhouse" style and the trend of using all-white and gray to update their spaces. When these requests come in, I make sure to have a conversation with them to understand their motivations. Often, there are opportunities to add their personality, culture, and story in their spaces. For me, it's imperative that their spaces speak to them for years to come. My goal is to assist them while creating personalized spaces that reflect their individuality. 

WHAT'S BEEN YOUR CAREER HIGHLIGHT TO DATE?

The best part of my career: relationships. While interior design is my profession, it doesn't define who I am. However, it has allowed me to make a positive impact on people's lives in ways I never imagined. I'm grateful for the meaningful relationships and experiences that my career has provided me with. Additionally, it has helped me view the world through a different lens, especially when I travel. All of these experiences have helped me grow into the person I am today.

WHAT'S THE MOST TREASURED ITEM IN YOUR OWN HOME?

My family. There are no items in my home that I value more than the people in it. But there are items that I value because of their history and the memories they provide us with. My husband and I spent our beginning years traveling where the USNavy sent us. I loved collecting a few items from every duty station, and those items are still with us and tell our story. A great example is our step tansu (Stair steps shaped cabinet originated in Japan in the 1600s, when livable space was at a premium. The large step tansu fit into the architecture of a house serving two functions at once - easy storage for blankets and household items, and access to the loft above). We acquired ours, which is a replica and much smaller than the originals, when we were stationed in Okinawa. I love the flavor that these pieces add to our home. My family - there's nothing in my home that I value more. 

When my husband and I were starting out, we spent a lot of time traveling due to his job with the US Navy. During our travels, I started collecting unique items from each duty station we visited. These items are still with us today and help tell our story. One of my favorite pieces is our step tansu, which we acquired while we were stationed in Okinawa. This type of stair-step shaped cabinet originated in Japan in the 1600s, when living space was at a premium. In addition to being a beautiful piece of furniture, it served two functions - easy storage for blankets and large household items, and access to the loft above. Although ours is a replica and much smaller in size, I love the flavor that it adds to our home.