Brief Biography of the Founder and President,
Barbara Vanderkolk Gardner, IDS Affiliate, Professional Member IFDA , Member, International Interior Design Association, Certified Home Stager

Barbara Vanderkolk Gardner inherited her intuitive interior design skills from several generations of family members. She has a degree from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan and has done graduate work in Seattle. She completed independent studies in France and is a student of Feng Shui. Barbara's strengths are in the most effective uses of color, texture, proportion and accessories. In addition, she has a unique ability to fully respond to client priorities. She is an affiliate member of The Interior Design Society (IDS) and a professional member of the International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA) and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA). Also, she is a member of the International Design Association. She is a certified home stager.

Her design work has won raves from clients and colleagues in Princeton and Sarasota-Longboat Key, as well as across the country for her customer-centered approach, producing interiors that are elegant, warm and comfortable, while being sensitive to time and budget priorities.

Barbara is a former health care executive, most recently as the President and CEO of the Rippel Foundation, a philanthropy funding initiatives to promote women’s health.

She is a published author of a noted business book, The Work and Family Revolution: How Companies Can Keep Employees Happy and Business Profitable.  She is a former management lecturer and consultant. Barbara has appeared on numerous television and radio shows and has been a frequent guest columnist for a number of business publications.

The work of Collins Interiors has been featured in a variety of magazines and newspapers including Sarasota Magazine, Design NJ, The Times, SRQ Magazine, and Princeton Magazine. In addition the firm was recently recognized as a "Top Ten Interior Design Firm" in New York Spaces Magazine