Hi, my name is Emily Berlinghof.
When my husband and I decided to undertake this project, I promised myself that I was going to dive deep into every detail of it, enjoy every moment of it, and so that I don’t forget any of it – record / document as much of it as I could. Hence this site. Why did I care so much? Maybe a bit about my background will explain ….
After graduating from Cornell University with a degree in Textile Management and Interiors, I started my career in the Materials Resource departments of first Skidmore, Ownings and Merrill and then Powell/Kleinschmidt – an interior architecture firm known for it’s attention to detail, form and function in the commercial and residential space. This early experience taught me that details matter, every design component should have a purpose, and that texture and thoughtful material selection is not only imperative, it’s a game changer.
Realizing that I loved the business of design as much as the process itself, I went back to school to get my MBA from Northwestern University. My career then combined the two worlds, charting paths heading up the marketing department for a national furniture manufacturer, developing homes, selling real estate and more. Along the way I became LEED certified, so sustainability is a walk I already walk. Bottom line — I get super excited right at the intersection of great design, smart business strategy and respect for history and architectural context.
Basically, this feels like what I’ve been working towards all along. And what exactly does this mean for this new project? Not quite sure, but I think it’s going to be fun to find out!
Building Spring Island 