How JCPenney Catalogues Shaped My Passion for Design

I knew I had a passion for design very early on. I vividly remember spending hours upon hours as a child, lost in the glossy pages of JCPenney catalogues. My summer breaks were not spent at camp. Instead I was camped out at home, carefully cutting out pictures of furniture, lamps, curtains—anything that spoke to my young, creative heart. It wasn’t just a hobby; it was a world of possibility.

Back then, each piece I cut out had its own story. I would meticulously arrange the pictures, imagining the perfect home I’d one day create. I would divide the images by room—living rooms with plush couches, cozy bedrooms with floral duvets, and kitchens where sunlight would stream in over elegant tables. To some, it might have looked like a simple arts and crafts project, but for me, it was a window into the life I wanted to build. It was essentially Pinterest, but the '80s version! I would then go a step further and arrange my pieces by sketching over blueprints of home designs I found in my local A&P supermarket check-out aisle. (Thanks Mom, for buying those thick books!)

Little did I know that these childhood daydreams would shape my future in such a profound way. Today, as a 45-year-old woman and proud owner of my own home interiors store, I still feel the same sense of joy and excitement that I did all those years ago, cutting and pasting my dreams together. The catalogues may be different now, and the tools more advanced, but the heart of my work remains the same. I love helping others transform their spaces, bringing beauty and function together in perfect harmony.

There’s something magical about the way a well-designed home can make you feel, and I think that’s what always drew me to it, even as a little girl with a pile of magazine clippings. It’s not just about furniture or decor—it’s about creating a space that reflects who you are, where you feel comfortable, inspired, and at peace.

Looking back, I realize those long afternoons with my catalogues were my first lessons in design. They taught me to see beyond the surface, to imagine possibilities, and to fall in love with the process of making a space truly your own. And now, I get to do that every day, helping others bring their own visions to life.