- Story by Angela Cowan Photography by Lia Crowe
Despite being exposed to the art and design world from her youngest years, Stephanie Smith never really thought sheB次元官网网址檇 end up there for her career.
B次元官网网址淢y mom is an artist and is in design, and she also did art studies at Emily Carr,B次元官网网址� Stephanie says. B次元官网网址淪he had a gallery when I was a young teen, so I learned how to cut glass and frames, and do all the assembly from about 12 years old.B次元官网网址�
After finishing a degree in business and marketing, Stephanie agreed to let her mom train her at Ethan Allen furnitureB次元官网网址擝次元官网网址淚 really thought it was going to be a short-term ventureB次元官网网址滲次元官网网址攁nd she has been in the design and furniture industry ever since.
Now the president of on South Granville, Stephanie has come back to loving furniture after taking a few years away.
B次元官网网址淚 saw people shopping for mostly throwaway pieces, things that would just end up in a landfill in a few years. IB次元官网网址檇 been in interior design for so long, and I had been losing the passion,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淪o I left furniture for a few years, but this line really brought me back. ItB次元官网网址檚 so unusual, and just the details in each pieceB次元官网网址ou could easily mix in a piece and create real interest in your room, or do a whole room and create a dramatic, beautiful look.B次元官网网址�
Besides being beautifully designed with intricate detail work, it was the quality of the pieces that sold Stephanie.
B次元官网网址淭here are no springsB次元官网网址tB次元官网网址檚 all solid rosewood. ItB次元官网网址檚 some of the heaviest furniture IB次元官网网址檝e ever moved, and I have moved a lot of furniture in my life!B次元官网网址� she says with a laugh.
Seeing how the pieces fit into her clientsB次元官网网址� homes and knowing theyB次元官网网址檝e invested in something that will last decades has brought her a whole new level of satisfaction too.
B次元官网网址淚 love helping people, and I love finding design solutions,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淭his became the passion, and it fulfills me so completely. IB次元官网网址檓 never tired of it.B次元官网网址�
THE 7 SINS
Envy:
Whose shoes would you like to walk in?
Arlene Dickinson from DragonB次元官网网址檚 Den. IB次元官网网址檝e always loved what a great business woman she is for so many reasons. Watching her over the years has been inspiring, and I have always felt I related to her. From building her self-made fortune, seeing all of her supporting causes and how she shows her passion for what she believes in, I have always admired herB次元官网网址ot to mention, her shoes are always fabulous!
Gluttony:
What is the food you could eat over and over again?
Sushi! I never tire of sushi, although, funny enough, I have a severe shellfish allergy. IB次元官网网址檝e always loved a meal with variety, and there is always endless selection with sushi.
Greed:
YouB次元官网网址檙e given $1 million that you have to spend selfishly. What would you spend it on?
Leisure property! IB次元官网网址檝e always been a dreamer, and IB次元官网网址檝e dreamed of having a small quaint place on a lakeB次元官网网址攕omewhere that memories are made for a lifetime. A place to get away and enjoy fun experiences and time together with all the people I love. A place to leave for my kids to cherish time spent together.
Wrath:
Pet peeves?
Restless legs! IB次元官网网址檇 never experienced it until pregnancy. IB次元官网网址檓 pretty busy as it is, and hate anything slowing me down. And insincerity. IB次元官网网址檝e always trusted that people are generally good. Over time, they always show their true character: theyB次元官网网址檙e either reliable or theyB次元官网网址檙e questionable, and itB次元官网网址檚 only a matter of time until the latter reveals itself. I have such a love of people that it always stings to uncover insincerity, and itB次元官网网址檚 one thing IB次元官网网址檓 always disappointed in.
Sloth:
Where would you spend a long time doing nothing?
On a lake. Although IB次元官网网址檓 not a strong swimmerB次元官网网址擨 mean, I learned how by diving for money my grandmother would throw in the lakeB次元官网网址攂ut I am a water baby, and as long as there is a boat or flotation device, IB次元官网网址檓 there! I always thought IB次元官网网址檇 live in a floating home and be able to feel free, anchoring down wherever and whenever I felt like.
Pride:
What is the one thing youB次元官网网址檙e secretly
proud of?
Knowing my strength, on so many levels. Knowing I can get through tough times is definitely something I heavily value. IB次元官网网址檝e been faced with situations both in my business and my personal lifeB次元官网网址攜ou know, the ones you want to avoid or try to ignoreB次元官网网址攂ut IB次元官网网址檝e been fortunate to have some incredible mentors who showed me that itB次元官网网址檚 how you deal with things that have the biggest impact. IB次元官网网址檝e worked really hard to keep a good perspective and see things from other views than simply my own, and thatB次元官网网址檚 allowed me to be mindful and sensitive when confronting anything.
Lust:
What makes your heart beat faster?
Sharing in someoneB次元官网网址檚 happiness. IB次元官网网址檝e naturally always been a pretty positive person, and I love seeing people succeed and grow and celebrate the little and the big wins. I believe that celebrating these things attracts
more of the same, and I love being around people who also adopt this attitude. Life is short, and it sure is better with like-minded people around you!
Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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