I am not the type of designer that first comes to mind for most people .
Most often I can be found in jeans , a sassy t-shirt and a pair of well worn chucks . If that ' s not okay with you , we are probably not going to get along . I am way more comfortable under your kitchen sink or tearing out your drywall to see what ' s back there than I am fluffing pillows . That ' s just me . I love totally destroying your space and putting it back together . Thus , my self-proclaimed title of " Remodelista ". Clients appreciate my hands-on approach of designing their spaces .
Great clients sometimes have great ideas but are not always sure how to execute them . l love it when clients like to be involved in the creative part of the process . Although there are times when the choices they make can make the project more difficult , it is after all their space and if it ' s something they really love , I try to find a way to make it work . Many designers I know don ’ t care to work this way however I welcome it and enjoy the challenge most of the time . Not every project will be " portfolio worthy ", it is more important to me to please the client .
The best thing about working only with clients that set your soul on fire is they always have friends that are usually a lot like them . Because of this about 80 % of my business now comes from referral , ( yay !) so don ' t ever be afraid to put yourself out there just as you are . It does not happen overnight , but it happens with perseverance ! Hopefully this will inspire someone who ' s on the fence , thinking of taking that leap . It ' s a big scary deal , I know , and a lot of hard work but it ’ s an investment in you !
�
I ' m Debra James , owner of , and award-winning designer with , Design Line Works , and I ' m the catalyst who can turn that dream space in your head into a real space in your home ! My goal is to balance beautiful form and fantastic function while creating a space that instantly screams , " YOU ."
My design process begins with taking the " bones " of our space and making sure it functions well for you . It ' s like making a cake . Once you have the body of the cake ( the fUnction ) you can move on to the best part - the frosting ! These are the elements that make the space uniquely YOURS .
Debra James
Starting with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the Interior Designers Institute in Newport Beach , California , I ' ve worked with many custom home builders , architects and of course homeowners during all phases of construction . I ' ve spent over a decade in Jacksonville and the surrounding area putting together what I call my " A-team ," a group of trusted , qualified tradesmen who do the heavy lifting of turning your dream space into reality ! I ' m not everyone ' s designer , but I just might be YOUR designer . There ' s only one way to find out - we need to talk ! designlineworks . com � � �
45