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.

Collins Interiors is proud to announce the addition of two new associates to the firm, Gail Forest and Bob Heyner.

Gail Forest brings to the firm many years experience working with builders and developers in kitchen design, as well as knowledge of residential construction planning and project implementation. She has an great eye for detail and excellent skills in cost effective design strategies.

Bob Heyner is a retired engineer with a broad range of knowledge in project design and innovative solutions to design/build issues.

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