Christy Cassidy
A Few Words About Me
When I was only a sophomore in High School, my parents hired an interior designer for our home. I was privileged to design my own bedroom and to assist Jean as she showed me a day in her life and opened up her career to me. I knew from that moment that I wanted to be an Interior Designer. Growing up in Orange County, California, design was everywhere and I took it all in and began to invest in jobs and areas of design at a young age to see all facets of the business. One of my favorite early jobs was working at a local florist.
After graduating high school, I attended the Interior Designer’s Institute in Newport Beach, California. Being a specialty trade school, I was immersed in design and theory and was the youngest graduate at that point and was honored to be the class salutatorian and received the most dedicated student award. At the Institute, I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design & Interior Architecture and learned from many of the industry’s leading designers and architects. I had found my God-given creativity and learned how to make it practical and into a career that best suited me and my many varied creative abilities.
My love of model homes came when I interned at Saddle Back Interiors in Corona Del Mar. The world of design was practically opened to me as I was surrounded with innovative designs and talented designers who made every style my favorite! I was trained to have an appreciation and application for every type of good design and to pay attention to the details of good balance and proportion. I then went to work full time at Design Tec in Costa Mesa, CA and again had the privilege to work on over 100 model homes. I learned every aspect of the job from initial concept to final reveal, including the long hours during installations.
The Family Business
Because my parents and other family members had their own small businesses, I always had a goal to begin Garrity Design and in July 1996 that goal became a reality. I had a family friend who needed a small beach condo designed like a model and I was off and running. After the open house and cocktail party to introduce my business to family and friends, Garrity Design was established. I am privileged to now call so many of my past residential clients family and friends as I worked in the residential home design industry in Orange County until August of 2005. In preparation for our move to Colorado, I sold my business to Madison West Interiors so I could make the move to Colorado Springs and my clients could still have access to a great interior designer.
My husband Scott and I met at age 29 and married in 2004. We came to Colorado Springs on a whim looking for a house that we could actually afford. We fell in love with the weather, the people, and moved into our new house in August 2005. I then went to work at The Classic Design Studio and helped homeowners select all of the interior finishes for their new homes for the next 2 years. Soon an opportunity to design some of the Classic Homes models came and I jumped at the chance. You see, models have always been my first love. It is so exhilarating to see a home project built from the ground up with all finishes and interior details matching and having a balance and completed purpose. I love the complexity and creativity a model home can hold, and I create alternatives for many buyers’ preferences through attention to detail and showcasing each home's lasting value. I always combine form and function of different rooms so buyers can envision themselves in this environment. I am honored to be a vital part of many people's most expensive investment they will ever make and to be a facilitator to bring the concept of a Home to so many.
Mixing Business with Pleasure
In 2007, I began my best creative effort and became pregnant! I gave birth to our daughter Caitlyn in December 2007 and being her Mom has been the best job I have ever had! Upon Caitey's arrival I moved from Classic Homes Corporate to pursue Cassidy Design and Model Home Design on my own. Then in 2009 our amazing son William was born and made our family complete. I love being their Mom and being creative everyday with my children in so many fun ways. Since 2007, I have completed over 40 model homes and love being able to bring good design and interiors to Colorado and beyond. I also have the privilege of designing for residential customers and making personal spaces amazing and functional for them . It is truly a gift to be able to assist others in making their houses their home from each detail needed.
Decorating, Design, and Merchandising...
Three words that are music to my ears! I specialize in interior merchandising and creating memorable visual experiences for people. One of my favorite aspects is to design children's rooms and to attune to each fine detail. Some of my favorite models were in Banning Lewis Ranch for Classic Homes that were featured in the HBA Parade of Homes. Both models won for Best Interior Design and the People's Choice Awards in their categories. I was also presented the MAME award for the 651 model at Banning Lewis for "Best Interior Design". Cassidy Design currently designs and creates for 5 local builders and many residential clients. I am so blessed to have the ability to do many different styles of design and love to create the perfect space for each new design challenge I am presented. I am personally very classic and transitional in my design tastes and prefer neutrals with many collected and found items surrounding me to remind me of my travels and daily adventures. I am honored and privileged to do a job that I love everyday and to bring my creativity and talents to the marketplace for people to envision a peaceful and beautiful place that they can call home. One of my joys in life is to partner with my Realtor Husband, Scott as he buys and sells homes for his clients and we partner together to stage and make the homes look their best !
Keeping it real
My family and friends are so important to me, my husband and our children. We love to cook and entertain in our home, travel to amazing places and to serve in our community and in our local church. I love design because it is an ever changing, ever developing field with new innovations daily. Each day I live my life to reflect the creativity and beauty that is displayed in all of creation and to please my biggest mentor, my God who is the author of my story and the giver of all good things.
