Kate Schmidt didn’t grow up knowing she wanted to get into interior design. She kind of just fell into it and it worked.
“I was sitting in some art classes and I liked them, but I didn’t want to be an art teacher,” she said. “I’m not an artist, but I liked the creativity of it of art.”
She looked into what type of jobs there were out there that required creativity and interior design fit the bill.
“I decided try it and it clicked,” said Schmidt. “I really liked it.”
Schmidt graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in interior design.
She didn’t really know where to go or what to do after college. So, she looked in a local paper’s book of lists and sent her resume to every single one.
“I had lot of interviews, but Rita’s (Williams) office was hilarious,” said Schmidt. “People were always having a good time and everyone seemed so fun, so I went after it.”
Schmidt’s been an interior designer for eight years. She joined Sisler-Williams eight years ago and when Rita Williams opened her own company four years ago, Merchandising Plus, Schmidt followed.
She does commercial and residential interior design.
“I like doing the residential side of it,” she said. “We work a lot with builders and developers and do a lot of models for builders. That is the ultimate residential project because you get to pick everything and it’s completely turn-key and fun.
“As far as commercial, we do a lot of multi-family and amenity centers. The amenity centers are fun because we get to do all the fun things like putting greens and pool tables. I’ve learned a lot and it’s a lot of fun.”
-by Michele Newbern Gillis