Michaela Darbie

I grew up in the small town of Balsam Lake WI, with a population of 800 loving people. My family is heavily involved in a  landscape and floral business, with my dad being a landscaper and my mother a florist. I was lucky enough to grow up in the family business life and have many opportunities to meet with my families clients as well as develop my love for design. I have always had a love for art, photography, fashion design, architecture and the outdoors which is why I wanted to further my education in Interior Design. My design style is unique compared to the usual Pinterest boards and DIY TV shows as I have a love for eclectic design and geometric patterns. Kelly Wearstler, Dorothy Draper, and Ray Eames are a few of the Interior Designers I draw most inspiration from as they are strong females who paved the way for future generations. My style is ever changing but has been further developed thanks to my continuous education. 

 

When it came time to fly the coop I had one school in mind due to its rigorous Interior Design program and that would be North Dakota State University. The traveling distance from home to school is a bit of a drive but it was time for me to venture out on my own and discover what I truly enjoyed doing. In the past few years of developing my design techniques at NDSU I have developed as a student, daughter, employee, and Interior Designer. I am grateful for the many opportunities I have been provided with at NDSU as well as the many different students and peers I have met along the way. 

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As my time here at NDSU is coming to an end there is so much information and relationships I have gained along the way. Interviews, site visits, meetings, and presentations have been a part of my new little life here in Fargo and something I have grown to love. I completed a Summer Internship in Fargo at Scan Design and developed a new feeling for the area while here over the summer. As my time here comes to an end there are many decisions to be made as far as a new job, housing options, and of course further developing my design career.