Design experience: I've always loved clothes and fabrics; I studied textiles at Michigan State University. Design philosophy: Dressing a room is no different than dressing yourself. You want to put on the right pair of shoes to go with the skirt and the blouse and the sweater, and of course the jewelry-lamps, picture frames, textiles, wall coverings, dishes. Favorite fashions: I love Stubbs & Wootton [a store in Palm Beach]. And there's a private clothing line called Worth by a girl here in Sarasota [who designs] classic lines with a contemporary edge. On the new California style: The fabrics are luxurious, soft textures, calm colors. The accents are soft gold and silver metallics, pearlescent. It's not a trendy look like Tommy Bahama, with all the tobacco-leaf carvings, monkeys and elephants. It's clean, classic lines. Design advice: Sometimes [people] let the designer do what she wants to do. [Clients] need to follow their heart and enjoy and love what they're selecting, not settle for what someone else thinks is perfect for them.