Get to know the Designers...
Dyslexia is Genetic-Family Room
Dyslexia is Genetic Family Room
Presented by interior designer: Kellyn Lee
Kellyn Lee: owner of Lampada's Living - a complete home furnishing storefront with upholstery, lighting and custom drapery.
Kellyn has been working in the design industry for over 15 years. She opened her original storefront on 6th street and through hard work and dedication to pleasing her clientele grew her business to a name that is well known throughout our area and beyond. Many designers in Tuscaloosa rely on Kellyn and her vast knowledge of the industry to source specialty items for their projects. She goes above and beyond to help her clients and designers. Her store is a local favorite for finding the latest trends in home decor and for anyone who is and interior design enthusiast.
contact information: 205-343-1511
Fact: Dyslexia is passed through families. Kellyn has dyslexia and so does her niece Shelby Lee, who attends the Chrysalis Center.
The Dyslexic Foyir, Foyur, Foiyr....Foyer
Presented by interior designer: Holland Payne
Holland Payne: Freelance interior designer and professional artist specializing in oil and acrylic paint
contact information: 256-504-8133
@hollandpayne2 on instagram
Fact: Dyslexia is different for everyone from mild to severe. People with dyslexia sometimes struggle with memorizing, writing, spelling, speed testing, auditory processing, copying information from the board, and working with sounds.
Seeing the Truth Powder Room:
Presented by Jennifer Bobitt
Jennifer Bobitt is a professional decorative painter and professional artist. The powder room showcases her skilled hand in plaster finishes and antiquing mirrors. Jennifer works alongside many of Tuscaloosa's finest designers. Her keen eye and skilled hand are invaluable to those who work in the interior design industry. She is also a delightful human being and a treasure to those who know her.
Contact info: 205-657-1094
Fact: The "truth" is children with dyslexia need to be seen not "fixed." The need to be seen as unique thinkers and taught using methods that are designed for them.
Spatial Awareness Dining Room & Kitchen, and Hidden Pantry
Presented by Holland Payne
Holland Payne: Freelance interior designer and professional artist specializing in oil and acrylic paint. Holland Payne has worked in the interior design industry for over 20 years. She began as an assistant in a small design boutique and eventually found herself most successful as a freelance designer. Holland has an artistic eye for designing spaces and often incorporates her art works in her clients homes. Holland's wisdom in the field is a source many of her designer friends count on, and she is always willing to share her gifts with others.
contact information: 256-504-8133
@hollandpayne2 on instagram
Fact: People with dyslexia are better at imagining how objects and spaces connect. Many of them make fantastic interior designers, architects, and builders. Also, many people with dyslexia have "hidden" talents that aren't often recognized in the classroom or standardized tests therefore students with dyslexia need a broader education with teachers who specialize in tapping into their unique styles.
1 in 5 Master Bedroom and Outside of the Box Master Bathroom
Presented by Doug Barger
Doug Barger is a native of Tuscaloosa and has a broad history of experience in the interior design industry. He became famous in Tuscaloosa for his talents in the design industry when he owned his full-service furniture showroom on River Road. As Doug became more driven to work more closely with his clients and their projects, he moved into a freelance design career. His career has flourished, taking him beyond Tuscaloosa to pursue large scale projects in West Palm Beach. Doug is a joy to be around, and makes the design process fun for anyone who has been blessed to work with him.
Contact information: 205-799-3150
Fact: Most homes have a master bedroom and most families have someone who has been personally affected by dyslexia because "1 in 5" people have dyslexia - that's 20% of the population.
The First Grade Don't Wait Mud Room:
Presented by: The Chrysalis Center
The Chrysalis Center is passionate about creating a space for all who struggle with dyslexia and other reading differences to transform into confident learners.
Contact Information: 205-632-0701
Email: nwarbington@chrysaliscenterwestal.org
Fact: Struggling readers should be screened for dyslexia in mid-first grade year. "Waiting" and hoping a child will catch up will only push the child further behind their peers and damage their self-esteem.
The Structured Strategies Utility Room:
Fact: Children with dyslexia need structured literacy instruction to explicitly be taught the rules of English to learn to read, and taught effective strategies for memorizing, organizing, planning, and writing.
"The Creative Thinker ' Guest Suite/Bathroom
Presented by Jenny Lee
Jenny Lee has worked in the interior design industry for over 20 years. She began her career working as a designer for a custom home builder and fell in love with the process. This experience helped her to identify a market need for a custom lighting, furniture, and drapery showroom. Teaming up with her sister-in-law, she opened a storefront. This experience revealed her truest passion which is her love for working with clients throughout the entire home-building process. Now Jenny practices freelance design which allows her time for career, family, and community projects. When not designing, she is actively advocating, fundraising, and raising awareness for The Chrysalis Center- a local non-profit for children and families affected by dyslexia. Her main initiative, The Designing for Dyslexia Showhouse blends her love for interior design, art, community, and children.
Contact information: 205-792-1447
Email: jennylee@designingfordyslexia.org
Fact: People with dyslexia are outside of the box thinkers. They are able to see the big picture, are good problem solvers, and they think in pictures - they actually see their thoughts similar to movies.
"Hands on Learning" Outdoor Porches (Main Level)
Presented by Asheley York
Asheley is an enthusiastic and talented designer who is eager to jump into a new project and give it her unique thoughts and specialized advice. Her vast knowledge of the industry and ability to personalize a space to fit a client's tastes, make her a true treasure to know and to work with. Asheley works closely with Capitol Park Antiques on many of her projects as the style of the furnishings in this designer showroom express the elegance and refinement she requires on all of her projects.
Contact Information: 205-999-5722
Fact: People with dyslexia have brains that are wired for learning in different ways for instance, people with dyslexia will thrive with hands-on instruction, classrooms that allow open discussion, and multimedia learning experiences.
The "Credit, Credit, Credit" Lower Level Porches
Presented by Spiller Furniture and Shane Spiller
Spiller Furniture & Mattress opened in 1948 and is now led by the third generation President, Shane Spiller. For 76 years this family-owned business has served the West Alabama and East Mississippi communities by offering quality furniture and friendly service. This company is always there for the community of Tuscaloosa and sincerely wants to meet the needs of its customers. As the newly awarded Alabama Commissioner on Higher Education, Shane Spiller without hesitation said "yes" to helping with the inaugural Designing for Dyslexia Show House. He donated his "designer favorite" mattresses and Spiller's high-design outdoor furniture for the event.
Contact information: 205-333-2030
Fact: Children with dyslexia deserve "more credit, credit, credit" for their unique giftings and creative intelligence. Did you know that many companies are seeking "dyslexic thinkers" including NASA? People with dyslexia think "outside of the box" and many companies are seeing the value of their critical thinking skills and spatial awareness.
The "blah blah blah" Billiard Room:
Presented by Interior Designers Jenni Payne and Amy Crawford with Gracefully Done
Jenni Payne began her design career as an apprentice to Collette Day the founder of Gracefully Done. Jenni excelled working with Collette, and they became the best of friends. When Collette transitioned to retirement, Jenni was the obvious choice to take over Gracefully Done. Her knowledge of the industry and history with the clientele quickly excelled Jenni's career. Her name is recognized throughout the community of interior design enthusiasts in Tuscaloosa. With her new leadership position, Jenni often requires the assistance of Amy Crawford - a friend and talented interior designer. Amy is a beautiful person with a successful history working with Gracefully Done. She is a creative, talented, and an "out of the box" thinker. Her educational journey as a young woman with dyslexia fueled her passion for helping with the inaugural Designing for Dyslexia Show House.
Contact information: 205-464-1251
Fact: Most schools are not equipped to teach children with dyslexia sometimes making school boring or very "blah" for those who require creative engagement to learn.
The "Godfather" Media Room:
Designers Jenni Payne and Amy Crawford with Gracefully Done
Jenni Payne began her design career as an apprentice to Collette Day the founder of Gracefully Done. Jenni excelled working with Collette, and they became the best of friends. When Collette transitioned to retirement, Jenni was the obvious choice to take over Gracefully Done. Her knowledge of the industry and history with the clientele quickly excelled Jenni's career. Her name is recognized throughout the community of interior design enthusiasts in Tuscaloosa. With her new leadership position, Jenni often requires the assistance of Amy Crawford - a friend and talented interior designer. Amy is a beautiful person with a successful history working with Gracefully Done. She is a creative, talented, and an "out of the box" thinker. Her educational journey as a young woman with dyslexia fueled her passion for helping with the inaugural Designing for Dyslexia Show House.
Contact information: 205-464-1251
Fact: 3 out of 10 people with dyslexia have ADHD. Often these two neurotypes are misdiagnosed for each other because both can present as a child who struggles to pay attention or excel in traditional classrooms. Interestingly enough, people with dyslexia and ADHD have a superpower that allows them to become "hyper-focused" on topics that interest them just like the person who named "The Godfather Room." This hyper-focus superpower gives them the ability to hone in on and perfect projects, goals, skills etc...
Three years of training- Bedroom #3
Presented by Lauren Clementz
Lauren Clementz has a full-service design firm in Tuscaloosa specializing in creating personalized, stylish, and functional living spaces. The heart of her philosophy is the belief that each space should reflect the client's personal style and needs, transforming their vision into a tangible, living reality. Lauren works hard to transform her client's vision into reality in a timely manner. Her approach and classical elegance has gained the confidence & respect of her Tuscaloosa clientele and beyond. She is often seen shopping and collaborating with her good friend Kellyn Lee at Lampadas Living.
Contact information: 205-335-1305
Fact: It takes "Three years of training and service hours" to become a Certified Academic Literacy Therapist which is the best credential for teaching children with dyslexia. The proper training is essential for providing the environment for which children with dyslexia learn best.
"The Neurodiverse"Bedroom #4:
Presented by Designer Christina Copes
Christina Copes launched her career as an interior designer as a cabinet designer for a local cabinet company. Christina's open mind to new innovative ideas helped her to create kitchens/bathrooms that were unique to our area. After working in the cabinet industry, she decided to try her hand at a company that would allow her to use more of her knowledge and creativity. She began a new phase of her career at WB Construction - this year's host for Designing for Dyslexia. Christina's collegiate training, natural artistic talents, and easygoing personality make her an asset to have on any job site/project. Christina now works with The Cottager in Tuscaloosa and practices freelance design under her new business Humphrey House Interior Design.
Contact information: 812-228-9664
Fact: The dyslexic brain processes written and spoken language differently. Let's embrace the wide range of ways the children learn and respond to the world.