Thank you for visiting The I.Design Box. I’m Darcy Stratmann, a Residential Interior Designer, and my design philosophy includes:

• Reuse and repurpose when you can. If you can’t find its place…post it on Craig’s List, give it to a friend, or donate it to charity.

• Find inspiration in your natural and built environment.

• Surround yourself with only things you love.

• Color, it’s a great influence and it sets the tone or mood for the room…don’t be afraid of it.

• Continue to learn, whether this is through formal education or personal study.

• Get involved. Know your local design community, learn from one another, and share your resources.

• Use the interior space wisely. Everything has its place and there is no need for clutter.

• Always listen to your client…and then challenge them to push their comfort zone.

Ever since I was a little girl I’ve had a passion for design. My father used to bring home large rolls of newsprint from the local newspaper and I would sit for hours drawing floor plans of my dream house. Odd for a second grader, I know, but I do not claim that I was a normal child or adult for that matter. So what did I grow up to do?

I have a formal education from the University of Iowa which includes a Bachelor degree in Communication Studies. This has helped me over the years with my writing and presentation skills, understanding people (i.e. my clients) and how they communicate or respond to their environment. It was also a great education in life.

In addition to a degree from the U of I, as an adult, I went back to school and received another Bachelors degree. Only this time it was in Interior Design. I graduated from the Art Institute and it has been a great compliment to the professionalism I have learned over the years. Not to mention, it has polished my design skills and put some focus behind what I once only considered a passionate hobby.

Now I’m lucky to spend part of my time as a Residential Interior Designer, Allied Member ASID. My work is currently in the area of consulting (see the DIB – Design Inspiration Box page) as well as the world of blogging. My intention is to share my passion with you plus my friends, family, and acquaintances. I hope you like what I have to share and I hope that you learn a little something about design along the way too.