Debbie DeMaria

Vogue Interiors

A native of Michigan, Debbie DeMaria, ASID, IDS, was first introduced to the design industry as a teen working in her parents’ paint and wallcovering store. Even though Debbie was encouraged to pursue a secretarial career, which was the trend in the early ‘70s, she followed her instincts and sought a degree in interior design. While attending college, she worked in retail furniture stores and realized that not only did she have a good eye for color, but she enjoyed working with people and solving their decorating problems.

After 25 years, she still recalls her first design project; accessorizing was the most difficult aspect for her back then. “I was so nervous that I asked the client to leave, than I went to work,” she says. When the client returned and was ecstatic with the finished product, Debbie took a sigh of relief and though, “I did it!” She remembers this project being the eye opener as to what is expected of an interior designer.

When the economy began to deteriorate, Debbie decided to leave Michigan. Even though she had never been to Florida, she decided to risk the venture. “I thought, what is the worst that can happen? If it doesn’t work, I’ll return to Michigan.” She went to work for a large furniture and design company, discovering very quickly that interior design was the key, and that local companies were missing this element. She realized that to be successful in Florida, she would have to give it her all—and the hard work paid off. She was asked to develop the design division of a smaller corporation. After one year, the design division more than doubled, much to the surprise of the owner. It continued to grow over the next couple of years. “I was fortunate to have a great support staff, which is half the battle when you are growing any new venture.”