In my last post (during the making of which I anticipated the one you are now reading) I did my best to delineate the blurred line separating me and my staff from the more elite group we refer to as “Interior Designers”. This exalted group sprouts not from the fertile earth, but is created from existing human stock. Dedicated, gifted, and creative people, educated in not only the principles but also the elements of design. And since it is among the most important of those elements, it is imperative for the Interior Designer to have a functional knowledge of tile.

The fabulous Lori McBride (of Saddleback College and ri-‘fresh interiors), explaining something to (or making dinner plans with) her lovely daughter.

Occasionally, this need provides me the opportunity to host groups of students from our local design schools, and talk at them for like an hour. Some parts of my job are more enjoyable than others; I vastly prefer   for example   handing out bonuses over carrying bags of cement. But I think I like the student visits the most.

The true designer’s eye sees potential in all good materials. Jeffrey Court mosaics are an essential part of any legit showroom.

When designer extraordinaire Lori McBride reached out to me, and asked to bring a few of her students for a tour of our showroom, I immediately shifted my calendar to make it happen. She and Gabrielle (her partner at ri-‘fresh interiors) are such good clients that I would have agreed without further incentive, but it didn’t hurt that she promised to show up with coffee and treats. The coffee and treats were dank, by the way.

Gabriel (El Chapin Patron) and Chris, the core of our stellar operations team, dropping knowledge on everyone.

Many of these students are my future clients, which is cool. Already, between their visit and this post, one of them (thank you Jancey!) has been to see me, and placed a nice order! I love seeing that happen, and creating new relationships with exceptional people, with whom I expect to conduct business for years to come.

Lori just being excellent.

Soon, after years of study and hard work, these students will be receiving their degrees. Some of them will continue with the firms in which they are already employed. Others may venture out on their own. All of them will have earned their place in the world of interior design, and I wish them the best.