Gretchen Weeks, professional redesigner, space planning, color consultation, floor plan design, redesign and staging by organized by design, in Alaska

Gretchen Weeks

Let me introduce myself. My name is Gretchen Weeks and I live in southcentral Alaska. Life can take us on many journeys, here is a slice of mine.

After graduating from Eastern Washington University with a B.A. degree I moved back to Alaska and became a part owner in a retail business during which time I acquired my certification as a Professional Picture Framer. The business sold art and graphic supplies, custom Picture Framing, house paint and wallcoverings.

After 17 years of retail business and many years guiding climbers up Denali (Mt. McKinley) and other Alaskan peaks and glaciers, I had an opportunity to move to Northeastern Oregon and work on an extensive restoration and decoration of an Arts and Crafts style home built in 1928, as well as the historic Wallowa Lake Lodge, built in 1923. During the course of these two huge projects I was involved in almost everything single aspect from design, carpentry, refinishing furniture, upholstery and all else involved in remodeling and decorating. This is where I really started to learn how things are built and how important room design and furniture placement is to how people experience the room. This not only important to a busy lodge but also in our own homes.

From first designing houses using pencil and paper I now use architectural design software for everything: kitchen design, remodeling plans, cabin and home design and furniture layouts for interior design.

In order to add professional education I attended the Sheffield School of Interior Design located in New York, and completed a professional training course as an Interior Redesign Industry Specialist. Leading to cetification as a I.R.I.S. redesigner.

From a lifetime of learning and practicing the skills of: sewing, upholstery, furniture making, carpentry, plumbing, painting, tile setting and other skills a remodeler needs, I know how things go together. This has led me to feel comfortable taking on most design challenges whether they are across the street or deep in the wilds of Alaska.