Durango Stone News – December 2024

Janet Brooks, Premier Luxury Designer at Janet Brooks Design in ‘Spotlight on Success’
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We are thrilled to introduce Janet Brooks, a premier luxury home interior designer in Arizona, celebrated for her distinctive and award-winning creations. Renowned as one of the state’s top interior designers, Janet is committed to delivering unique, custom designs that perfectly reflect each client’s personal style, budget, and taste. Her unwavering dedication to excellence and personalized service has earned her numerous ASID interior design awards and cultivated a loyal clientele that extends from Arizona to Florida and Hawaii.

1. What initially inspired you to pursue a career in interior design, and what continues to fuel your passion for the field?

I always was the kind of person that needed to “work out the details” no matter what the subject, and had a natural eye for balance and beauty, even when I didn’t know what an interior design profession was. As a youngster, I was never into little artsy/crafty projects, but I gravitated toward the bigger picture, such as adjusting the lighting in my parents’ home when it felt “wrong” to me, and making sure my mom’s placemats went with the table setting just right. When I studied Art History in college, it awakened a sensibility and appreciation for art and architecture from around the world and opened my eyes to a new level of beauty. Having the opportunity to work with a professional ASID designer in my 20’s was the experience that opened the floodgates of my creativity and fueled the passion I still feel today.

2. What advice would you give to those aspiring to enter the field of interior design?

Know that interior design is not a singular career; there are a myriad of opportunities that fall within that category. I feel that I am following the “classic” path of interior design, in that I enjoy working with residential owners from start to finish of the creation of their home, pulling thousands of details together to completion. To be a successful designer in this arena requires patience (you are dealing with many different personalities on a very personal basis), a driving desire to hear and be heard (communication!), flexibility (it’s not about your own taste), and courage (to believe in yourself when others don’t). In addition to, of course, creative talent!

3. What do you believe is the key to a successful relationship with your clients?

Because our relationships with clients are long-term (averaging 1-3 years) and involve making many personal decisions together, I feel that having respect for each other is key. It starts with listening. Really listening, beyond the words they are saying. Honor their unique passions, and help them realize an outcome that feels comfortable and personal to them… while at the same time elevating their expectations beyond what they could have imagined.

4. Who or what has been a major influence or inspiration in your design career?

I don’t “follow” well known people in my field, to model myself or my approach to design after them, and I try not to get caught up in fleeting trends that come and go. My inspiration has come throughout my career from seeing my own success at interpreting my clients’ dreams and realizing that I was able to impact them on a deep, daily level. People repeatedly tell me, even after living in their homes for years that they feel comfortable, and that the look is timeless. They also tell me that, while I listened to them and honored their requests, I took the design of their home well past what they could have imagined!