We had the good fortune of connecting with Rebecca Grotte and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rebecca, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
As an Interior Designer and custom drapery fabricator, I’ve used my skills to support the growth of artisans in my local community. I collaborate with the drapery workroom to create handmade drapery and pillows for clients in the Houston and Galveston area. This work includes historical drapery for historical homes in the city of Galveston. This type of artisan craft is a specialized art that is only executed by highly skilled artisans. I also specify custom upholstery work through a local one man shop. The collaboration with these specialized arts supports other local businesses so that we can keep our local economies strong. I’ve also used my skills as a seamstress to design and make costumes voluntarily for my children’s junior theatre company. During COVID I used my sewing skills to make masks for my community of Nassau Bay and Ellington Field where my husband serves as Commander of the 147th Attack Wing Maintenance Operations. We are a military family here to serve and protect our local community of Houston and the United States. I believe that we can bring peace to our communities by serving others and working together.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The thing that sets me apart as a designer is that I also have fabrication skills for custom drapery and pillows. This hands on knowledge of fabric gives me a broader understanding of how drapery is made, how yardage is calculated and which fabrics are appropriate for the job at hand. I also use my drafting, measuring and calculating skills that I learned in design school to ensure proper measurements/cuts are made and that fabric is not wasted. This is also helpful for keeping patterns straight and matching patterns for extra wide-width fabric. I’m the designer that I am today because of great teachers and mentors. My professors at HCC Design School include Benjamin Johnston, Shasta Swift, Kevin Hamby and Rachelle Star. Professionally, my mother of design and retired business partner, Kathryn Berardo, taught me about how to run a business and much about custom craftsmanship and drapery. It was not easy due to some medical issues that started back in 2018 and the challenges of being a military wife and mother. The greatest lesson learned along the way was asking for help and support when I really needed it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Museum of Fine Arts Houston Houston Astros Game Minute Maid Park
The Continental Club and Shoeshine Charley’s for great music and dancing
The Dirty South Angleton for great food and live music
PJ’s Karaoke on Friday Nights Montrose
Kemah Boardwalk or Galveston Pleasure Pier for rollercoasters
Houston Symphony
Houston Grand Opera
Galveston Historical Home tour
NASA Johnston Space Center
Java Owl Coffee Shop Nassau Bay

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are many people who have supported me along the way, but I’d love to give my husband the shout out. His commitment and continued support throughout the years to follow my dreams has made them possible. When others have come and gone, he has always been there cheering me on–even when I am hard to deal with!

Website: www.avondaledesignstudio.com

Instagram: @avondaledesignstudio

Facebook: Avondale Design Studio

Image Credits
Photo Credit: Gary Petty

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