Debbie DeMaria
Vogue Interiors
A native of Michigan, DebbieDeMaria, 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 beingthe eye opener as to
what is expected of an interior designer.
When the economy began to deteriorate, Debbie decided to leave
Michigan. Even thoughshe 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.”