New Albany Alumnus Emily Roberts does not remember when she wanted to become an Interior Designer. It was always understood with her family that she wanted to be a decorator.
A decorator she is. Roberts, a 2003 graduate of New Albany High School, graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the College of Architecture, Art and Design at Mississippi State University in 2007. As part of her degree, she completed her internship in Hollywood. She interned with Philip Nimmo, who Roberts describes as a “wonderful and true designer”.
According to Roberts, Nimmo works from beginning to end on his projects. He starts with the layout of the floor plan, works with contractors until the building is complete, and finishes with accessories. “Once his client asked for a fire screen, but he could not find one he liked so he decided to design his own,” Roberts said.
Nimmo now has his own line of ironworks that includes fire screens, lighting, furniture, and door hardware that he uses to furnish his clients’ homes. Roberts added, “While working with Philip I also learned about the manufacturing of his products, which was great and a really neat experience.”
Nimmo has been featured in most design magazines such as Western Interiors and Elle Décor. “To me a designer is someone who thinks outside of the box and gives the client something innovative which is one of the main things I learned from Philip,” Roberts commented.
He has a large list of clients including celebrities such as Jaclyn Smith, whom Roberts had the pleasure of working with. “I was able to go to Jaclyn Smith’s house several times where I helped with furniture layout and fabric selection,” Roberts said. “She was so nice to work with and always tried to ask my opinion.”
Emily is now an Interior Designer with DWC & Associates, an architectural firm owned by Debbie Wilbanks Cherry, another New Albany graduate. DWC & Associates works mainly with financial institutions, higher education facilities, and ecclesiastical projects. Roberts works with the architects laying out floor plans, working on elevations and millwork sections, tile pattern plans, electrical plans, and preparing finish schedules.
Since last year Roberts has been working on a credit union in Memphis and it is close to completion. “It is the first job I have seen from beginning to end and to see what was once on paper, now in real life is extremely exciting,” Roberts noted. “I am at the point in this project now where I am buying all the furniture and accessories, which I’m really enjoying!”
Roberts recently had the opportunity to work with the New Albany School District. Her job was to create the tile pattern plan for the New Albany Elementary School Advanced Physical Education Building. She chose the colors of the vinyl tile and the design that would be used.
“I really enjoyed working with the school district because the staff is great to work with and it was nice to work on a design project for the school system I was a part of for so long,” Roberts said.
Emily said she felt very prepared for all of her college courses, especially her math and science classes which were instrumental for her degree in Interior Design. “Art classes also helped with my degree as I had to take a lot of art and design classes at Mississippi State.”
When ask what teachers at New Albany were most inspirational to her, Roberts responded: “Ms. Sherra Owen, my home economics teacher in 8th grade, and Ms. Lee Ann Thompson, my high school art teacher.
“It is incredible to see the success of our New Albany graduates over the past years,” said LeeAnn Thompson, art teacher at New Albany High School. “So many have ventured to other countries and cities across the nation to become successful, positive citizens and role models for our current students.”
Thompson added that she is happy to see former students relocating here in New Albany and nearby to bring their talents and gifts back to our community. “I am so proud to see students like Emily who are creative and energetic bringing their art back home,” she said.
The high school art teacher also noted that students in the New Albany School District are privileged to have the small town feel of community in their high school, yet have the advantages of larger school districts with the offerings they have to choose from. Thompson added that very few schools the size of New Albany offer such diverse opportunities in the fine and performing arts.
“The strong academic offerings have proven the test of time, as our students have been excelling here for many years,” said Thompson. “Emily is one more example of the fine caliber of students that have come from here and we are lucky to have her back in our area contributing to our community.”
Roberts plans to get certified in wedding planning and is currently working part-time with Diane Tate of Di’s Designs. Emily says she is learning so much from Tate.
Tate, a bridal consultant and owner of Di’s Designs, says that Roberts is a valuable addition to her wedding and floral design staff. Tate was also a teacher with the New Albany Schools for eighteen years prior to going into the floral design and wedding consulting business full time.
“Not only is Emily a very talented and creative designer, she’s also a very confident young Christian woman whose character and personality will enable her to be successful in any endeavor,” Tate said.
“I have always dreamed of being an Interior Designer and Wedding Planner and it looks like it is all working out,” Roberts said. She also noted that in the future she would like to pursue a masters degree and perhaps be a professor. But right now she is enjoying her jobs – a full time Interior Designer with an accomplished architectural firm and a part-time job learning the ins and outs of wedding planning.
Below: A picture of Emily Roberts’ center court design in the Advanced Physical Education Building at New Albany Elementary School.
