After 23 years in the optical industry, Darcy Davis was presented with an opportunity to follow her lifelong passion for interior design. While she would have loved to study design right out of high school, it was not an option at that time. Instead, she worked in the optical field as an Optician and Office Manager for Dr. Charles A. Wardle. When Dr. Wardle decided to close his office decades later, Darcy knew that the timing was serendipitous and a gentle push in the direction of pursuing her dream career.

Darcy found Heritage online and enrolled in the Saturday Fundamentals Program so that she could continue working full time with Dr. Wardle until he closed his office. Maintaining a full-time job while in school was challenging but also rewarding!

Shortly after graduating from Heritage, Darcy started an internship at Golden Ladder Interiors, which soon after turned into a full-time Interior Design position. Her role at Golden Ladder includes conducting consultations, drawing plans using AutoCAD, selecting finishes and implementing the full design plan.

I currently have a full gut bathroom, two bathroom refreshes, three living rooms, a dining room, a bedroom and a fireplace facelift in the works. So, I’m hitting the ground running!

Darcy’s dream job is to travel the world designing family vacation homes where loved ones will gather and create lasting memories.

I love to create spaces that capture the “feeling”. I want to design spaces where families will make memories that will be passed down from generation to generation.

While changing careers can be initially scary, it can lead to so much happiness! Darcy’s advice:

KEEP GOING! Do not get discouraged. Sometimes it is 3 steps forward and 2 steps back but just keep your eyes open to opportunities that come your way and believe in yourself. Step outside your comfort zone and go for those big dreams!