INTERIOR DESIGNERS

“In my early teens, I rearranged my aunt’s home. I was carefully thinking about every angle, placement and function of the room.” — Michael Biondo

JULIE ALBRECHT,

Robb & Stucky, Fort Myers robbstuckyintl.com “I was born into interior design. My great grandparents were master tailors, my grandpa a skilled furniture craftsman and reupholsterer. I was always around fabrics. Some of the design interns I’ve trained are super fashion designers. It isn’t brain surgery after all, which I have to constantly remind myself if anything gets too hectic in design.”

DIANE KNIGHT,

Sanibel Home Furnishings, Sanibel sanibelhomefurnishings.com “They call me the queen of color, comfort and style. I personally like color and warm natural woods. Fabrics are my passion. I’ve been designing for over 40 years and remember my first trip to the Brunschwig & Fils showroom in New York … I was in fabric heaven.”

MICHAEL BIONDO,

Michael Biondo Lifestyle Design, Naples michaelbiondolifestyledesign.com “In my early teens, I rearranged my aunt’s home. I was carefully thinking about every angle, placement and function of the room. When I was done, the room had three distinct sitting areas. ‘This is your calling, Michael,’ she said.”

CHRISTOPHER MICHIELS,

Christopher Michiels Interiors, Estero christophermichielsinteriors.com “Hands down, this boy was born to design and create spectacular interiors. Little doubt remains in my mind that most designers are born with the talent, some just discover later or following a different path. It was also my mother’s amazing design tutelage and my love of artistic and beautiful things that started laying those yellow bricks down the exciting interior design road.”