Cheryl Elliott, Owner and Designer, Cheryl Elliott Jewelry Design:

I have been involved with Design Awareness for two years. I will continue to be involved because it is “Design Awareness”….an important event for us in Salt Lake City, the Intermountain Region, and the country in general!

I love being a part of Design Awareness…….the people, the enthusiasm surrounding design, the energy connected with the event, and the learning opportunities for all of us in the field of design.

I have been involved in the business of “Design” all of my life, currently in the field of Jewelry Design. My years in the fashion industry inspired my interests and studies of interior design, architecture, and fashion illustration, buying, and merchandising. All forms of art in our world lead to a more beautiful and individually fullfilling place---which for me feeds the Soul and Spirit.

Rhonda Landa Steinau, IIDA

Why did you become involved with Design Awareness?
I have been involved with Design Awareness since 1995 when I moved here from Los Angeles, California. I had a vision that this event could be similar to the "Caliber Awards" held in LA. The Caliber Awards were the "Must Go To" event of the year for the design community. Similar to the Academy Awards are for Hollywood. I continue to be involved to assist with the event in becoming what that vision stood for: to honor the "best" in the field of Interior Design. Interior Designers, by and large, are not paid for the many many hours they put into projects. The interiors is where people live and work. It is the committment of the interior designer to see that a project "works well" for the inhabitants of the space. I believe we should "celebrate" the Interior Designers committment to their work. It is the same committment and "spirit", I believe, that the Theresa Bradley Spirit Award was founded on. It is the "Spirit" of our community's commitment that is to be celebrated!

Short Bio:
Ronda Landa Stienau, IIDA
R&R Enterprises
Professional Interior Designer

Interior Design degree from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, 1981; Business Certificate from the University of Southern California, 1990; Career has been as an In-house Interior Designer for Valley Presbyterian Hospital, Los Angeles Times and Times Mirror. Last job in LA was at City Spaces for eight years as Senior Interior Designer and Marketing Director. Came to Utah in 1985 to work for EDA architects as Marketing and New Business Development Coordinator, then went to TPH as New Business Development and Senior Interior Designer. Currently, free lance Interior Designer and work with Midwest Office as New Business Development Consultant.

While attending the Interior Design Program at USU, Negron pioneered the organization of the Interior Design Student Association. He served as the president of IDSA for the 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 school years. In addition to his regular studies, Negron attends various workshops to enhance his education. His motivation and leadership earned him the honor of the 2001 Bert Vieta Vision Scholarship, an honor bestowed upon him by the Interior Design Department and Professors of Utah State University.

Since Negron’s graduation he has been an integral part of the Salt Lake City design community. He volunteers his floral talents to the several design events sponsored by The Salt Lake Design Awareness Foundation, currently planning and reviewing the creative elements needed for the 2004 Design Awareness Event. Negron and his floral design talent will soon be featured in several Utah publications.

Why do you continue to be involved with Design Awareness? I believe this is good cause and would love to help promote the design industry within our community. This is a great chance for students to be mentored by the professional designers in the area, to gain experience and scholarship.

Short Bio: Brooklyn Olsen, a junior at Brigham Young University, is studying communications with an emphasis in Public Relations. She graduated in May of 2003 from the LDS Business College with an Associates of Science Degree and Accounting Certificate. During her sophomore year at the LDSBC Brooklyn served as Vice President of Finance for the student body. She was also invited to manage the on-campus fundraising efforts by serving as chair for the Charitable Giving Council.

Kathleen Wagstaff-Emery has been serving Utah's residential and commercial new construction and reconstruction industry for over twenty five years. She is Owner of Regency Royale, a company that specializes in luxury carpets, rugs, hardwood, and custom specifications in soft surface flooring. In addition to floor covering, Regency Royale carries beautiful furniture, accessories, wall covering, art, and specialty items.

Kathleen has deliberately structured her company to be a resource for the design professional. She is extremely interested in restoration work and has the resources with the manufacturers she works with to do extensive archival research. Kathy is passionate about history. She believes it is crucial to preserve craftsmanship and history so that our children, and their children will know who we were.

Regency Royale's Mission Statement
To aid the design professional by providing the finest and most diversified furniture, wall covering, art, accessories, and flooring materials available throughout the world with emphasis on preserving the past, handling the challenges of the present, and preparing for the future.

Why do you continue to be involved in Design Awareness?
Design Awareness is an emotional vision. I felt the importance of what was being done, and I could feel greatness in its mission; to give something so important to others. Anything focused on giving something great to our community is destined to succeed, and Design Awareness has proven to be very valuable. Design Awareness increases our knowledge of the local talent and resources around us allowing us to support and help each other.

(very) Short Bio:
I am the showroom sales manager at Regency Royale. We provide luxury floorcovering, rugs, furniture, wallcovering and accessories to the residential, commercial and institutional markets.

Joni Williams

I have been involved with Design Awareness for the past four (?) years. Initially, I attended as a student and enjoyed visiting the various rooms seeing what the different vendors were showing. After I graduated from design school, it was a great event to attend and check out the new products being showcased. Last year, I was able to help in one of the vendor rooms (MPI) and give out merchandise information and answer questions about the product.

Why do you continue to be involved with Design Awareness?
I continue to be involved with Design Awareness because I believe it is a great asset to the design community. Not only is it a great place to find new vendors and products, but it is also an opportunity to visit with others involved in the design community and keep informed of what is going on. The scholarships that are awarded encourage students to strive to do their best, which will benefit the design industry as a whole as these students become the professionals of tomorrow.

Short Bio:
Owner, WMS Design; Graduated from LDS Business College in Interior Design in 2001. Started WMS Design doing residential design work as well as some custom contemporary metal work.