IMG_7853

This is my virgin blog.  I’m thinking I should have started with a much smaller venue with fewer readers and someone much less talented, humorous and creative to be a “guest blogger”.  I’m not even sure I’ve used the word correctly.  Oh, my.

I’m honored and privileged to write this for Eric’s blog.  It gives me a chance to share, very honestly, two new things in my middle-aged life that have become very important to me— the O’More Alumni Show House and the O’More College of Design.  I became the Interim President of O’More College of Design last August and have discovered Utopia in Franklin, Tennessee.

slider_apply_now

Why is it a Utopia?  Have you see this place?  It is on a hill overlooking downtown Franklin and we have classes and studios in an 1867 Italianate Mansion and a 1903 Victorian.  We offer a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Fashion Design, Fashion Merchandising, Interior Design, Graphic Design and Interactive Design.   The staff and faculty here are talented, caring, smart, forward-thinking, edgy, regular people but extraordinary designers who LOVE TEACHING.  They love the creative process and they soak in the freshness that being around students can bring.

But this is the crux—92% of last year’s graduates are working in their field.  92%.    O’More College of Design prepares students to have careers in the Design Field so that they don’t have to choose between success and satisfaction.  

showhousebefore

IMG_7994

If you’re not convinced that this place is special you must check out the O’More Alumni Show House.  This is its second year and is very special because in addition to showcasing our Interior Designers it is also a historic rescue. You can see the direction that Interior Design is taking, see new ideas in placement, materials and space and it’s not a redo of every magazine you see.   It is also how I met Eric.

Diptic

Eric immediately made an impression on me when I saw him in the first meeting.  He had a challenging space to “own” or “wow”.  But “wow” he did.  And here is another important point to me:  it’s not over the top, ostentatious or unaffordable.  I like a designer who has enough confidence in their own point of view that they don’t have to use price tags to make it for them.

The Show House means many things to many people.  To me, it is a show case of O’More’s Interior Designers and the most generous gift they could give back to their college.  

A special note from Eric Ross Interiors:

EricRossHeadshots-Evin Photography-16

I want to dedicate this blog to my assistant AND O’More Alum, Christine Barker.  I’m so thankful to have such a great College here in Franklin which I get to benefit from everyday in my life and work.  And thank you, O’More for equipping Christine with the tools abilities to design with me and my firm.  Chris, you make me and our clients’ lives better everyday.

You’re the best!

 

About the author…

full_12861Rebecca Stilwell is a native Tennessean who left for 33 years and is happy to be home.  
 
Retired in 2012 after 27 years with Morgan Stanley.
 
Married to Henry for 28 years with two daughters, Abby and Brett, and a grandson, Ezra.
 
 I was on the Board of Trustees for O’More when the Presidency was vacated and stepped in with no academic experience but centuries of business and management.   What started out as a sense of Community Responsibility has turned into an affection for this magical place, a fascination with the design education process and a love of the people here.
 
 I love being in Tennessee with my Momma and Daddy, my church, digging in dirt and old things.