Designing Women: Mitzi Beach

Hello friends! I want you to meet an interior designer who I consider my idol in our interior design community and now a dear friend, Mitzi Beach.

I was asked by the casting director if I was an interior decorator or an interior designer for this future television show and I responded, “Interior designer”.

However, as an interior designer, I do not have the credentials that Mitzi has, which is the honest truth. Mitzi is at the top of the interior design chain of hierarchy after years of education. (Yes my friends, in my world there is a hierarchy of qualifications and do not let any interior decorator tell you that credentials don’t matter, they do.) Mitzi, as well as many other interior designers across the United States,  have taken the NCIDQ exam which is a lengthy exam based on the following:

• Building Systems
• Codes
• Construction Standards
• Contract Administration
• Design Application
• Professional Practice
• Project Coordination

This is a tough exam and many designers fail the first time taking it, but I am not going to give you a speech about why you should hire an interior designer or an interior decorator for your next project, just know some designers have lots of credentials because they have furthered their education to be registered interior designers who take their profession very seriously. Someday I will slow down enough to take the CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialists) because I am working with many clients who appreciate my knowledge ( via taking courses, attending seminars, and reading books) and I would like to have those credentials attached to my business too. I have enough knowledge, just not enough time to get certified.

Mitzi is recognized as a leader in the field for designing and creating livable homes for baby boomers and the author of Boomer Smarts Boomer Power and recently published her latest book,  Design Smarts.

She also has a wonderful website, Mitzi Beach Designs where she is introducing the new elements to her already established brand.

I was very fortunate to hear Mitzi speak when I was a designer in New Jersey. I am a member of ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) and we are required to take continuing education courses to keep our membership. Mitzi gave an approved CEU course that I had attended and made me want to learn as much as I can for my clients over the age of 50ish.

Mitzi and I take a holistic approach to interior design. The term holistic represents a way of interconnecting the mind, the body, and the spirit. We believe that our mind, bodies, and homes should create an environment of health and wellness.

Our homes are a direct reflection of our minds and our lives. If you need a shift in some aspect of your life you will also need to shift the energy of your home to affect the change desired.

•  Do you see your home as a representation of who you and of the life, you live?

• Is your home full of clutter ? Do you have a place in your home that is electronic free/stress free zone and allows you to unwind?

• Does your bedroom allow you to have a good  night’s sleep? Is it your sanctuary? If not, what would you like in your bedroom to give you a restful sleep?

• Can you live in your home safely and securely? Does your home already have modifications in place for you to live forever in it? Or do you have to move to get those changes in place for you?

• Do you have plenty of natural light or can see nature inside or outside of your home or apartment? Do you have live or fake plants in your home?

When I began my journey with this blog I was focused on connecting with women over 50. I write about fashion, exercise, travel, and my lifestyle after 50. This caught Mitzi by surprise when she saw that I kept my interior design business separate from this blog. She, as many of my friends in the interior design community, wondered what the heck was I doing? I started to see messages pop up from her and she started to see how I connected to a larger audience of women wanting to live their best lives after 50. My audience for this blog is women over 50 yet my interior design business encompasses a larger age group, yet I focus on creating a better life for all ages with my interior design business. Mitzi and I belong to a large community of women who ask us interior design and lifestyle questions all the time. They respect us as professionals who talk about lifestyle and home changes for the baby boomers. We know what needs to be done to create livable homes that support you after 50. I prefer to call it “Adaptive design” rather than “Aging in Place“. We are making adaptations or modifications to your home so that it supports the changes we go through as we get older.

Then I saw Mitzi re-launch her website with a new name and her BoomerSmarts brand by incorporating living a better life into her already successful business model. She has connected all the dots for all ages!  She has incorporated eating healthy and exercising as Wellness goals everyone at every age can enjoy.

She wants everyone to take the time to live a better version of you!

Mitzi is always moving forward with her life and her business. She has found balance in her life and wants to help others find theirs.

Isn’t this the sweetest picture of her husband Bob and their sweet little Jake?

Please join me and follow Mitzi on her social media platforms:

Instagram

Pinterest

Twitter

Have you ever thought of connecting all the dots in your life my friends?

Thank you for stopping by today!

I hope you’re living your best life now!

Hugs,