Discount Furniture Name Brands at Furniture of America

Brand name North Carolina furniture at discount prices

Meet the Designers Web Page

April 4, 2008
CREATIVE COLLABORATION

      When Interior Designer Shannon Walley first visited the Furniture Direct main showroom on Dean Martin Drive in Las Vegas, it turned out to be the beginning of a beautiful friendship, and the beginning of a highly productive and joyful creative collaboration with Furniture Direct Design Consultant Mary Portugue. "We had just opened the new showroom, so I met Shannon during the first month of my first year with the company," said Mary. The two professionals felt an immediate connection, a rapport that has carried them through dozens of interior decorating projects in locations all over the country over the last five years.

      "With Furniture Direct I can go to their FurnitureOfAmerica.com website, any time day or night, no matter where I am, and preview the hundreds of furniture manufacturers that the company offers," said Shannon. "Furniture Direct offers nationwide delivery and setup. Once I get an idea for the direction I want to go with a project, then I am on the phone or meeting with Mary to discuss the furniture selections, fabrics, finishes, color schemes and the accessories. Over the years we've planned and executed dozens of projects, to the point where now we can read each other's minds."

      Shannon always knew somehow she was destined to be an interior designer. She grew up in Newport Beach, CA., and even as a youngster seemed to gravitate to decorating. "I remember going to spend the night with girlfriends, and I would start re-arranging their furniture. The Mom's really loved that. Some of my earliest memories are of my Barbie Room Designer. It had all of the furniture cutouts -to scale-and the floorplans. I just had a natural flair and an intense interest that I still feel today." She attended USC -University of Southern California - and received degrees in Social Science with an emphasis in Psychology and Business.

      After graduation Shannon worked for a dot.com company and took night classes at the Interior Design Institute in Newport Beach. "I received my certification and was so fortunate to start out with an apprenticeship with two great, talented designers." Some of her projects brought her to Las Vegas, and in 2001, she made the decision to relocate to the desert and created her company SMW Designs. Her boyfriend-now husband-initially offered her the opportunity to design and decorate two projects that included the models, sales office and clubhouse for an apartment complex.

      Shannon and Mary's first collaborations were for income-restricted developments. "Then the portfolio just grew from there," said Mary. "Some of the projects I do work on are subsidized apartment complexes that cater to young families with children," continued Shannon. "The laws that govern subsidized housing have very specific requirements, certain services and features that must be included. The challenge is to make the surroundings look great and do it all on a very tight budget."

      "We've done over ten projects together," noted Mary. "And both the size of the projects and our friendship have grown through the process." The projects for Fore Property Company cover locations throughout the country so Shannon is constantly on the move, traveling to visit construction sites and to get a feeling for the locations. "Each city and neighborhood has it's own unique character," offered Shannon. "So it's important for me to spend time and experience the community as a whole. I visit and tour competitive apartment complexes to get a feeling for what looks and styles are popular in the area. What type of materials set the tone. What color schemes and design elements are prevalent at successful properties."

      Once Shannon has decided on a theme for a project, she and Mary go online to preview and discuss furniture options. "It's this terrific experience," continued Shannon. "It's working with one person, one company-creating a one-stop-shopping experience that I can do from anywhere in the world. And knowing Mary is at the other end coordinating all of the details. It's just extraordinary. I can go from Tuscany, to Tommy Bahama, to Modern with a click of the mouse."

      While Shannon is on the road, Mary coordinates the furniture orders, working with the manufacturers to schedule the shipping deadlines, and the myriad of details necessary to assure that when Shannon arrives at the site for setup and installation, that everything is there ready and waiting. "We've had some exciting moments over the years," laughed Mary. "But that is just part of the challenge and the fun of doing business."

      The rhythm is about to move to another level as Mary and Shannon have even more projects in the pipeline. Last year they completed two complexes in Orlando, Florida and they are currently working on a contemporary modern design for a 400-unit complex in Gainesville that will include the interiors for the sales models, a theater, gym and cyber café. Coming up, a large 750 unit development in Avondale, Arizona the will feature two clubhouses - one traditional, one contemporary. Over the next two years Shannon's projects include at least nine clubhouses Northern Nevada, Maryland, Florida, Arizona and Texas.

      Shannon has not only mastered the design challenges for commercial developments, but she is also a highly sought-after designer for luxury residences as well. Her talents are enjoyed by homeowners from Newport Beach to the Red Rock Country Club in Las Vegas. As to her own personal preferences, Shannon sees herself as 'transitional'. "I love whimsy, but I have so much fun doing modern, or Spanish or Italian." For Shannon, it's just doing what comes naturally.

      SMW Designs is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. Designer Shannon Walley can be reached at smwdesigns@yahoo.com. Website: SMW-DESIGNS.COM.

Contact Furniture Direct Design Consultant Mary Portugue at mary@furnitured.com.