By Maureen Klein -- Grit and determination, confidence and caring, are some of the positive Jersey Girl qualities that you’ll see certainly rubbed off on Sharon L. Sherman. You’ll learn why she started her own design firm, along with a few other goals she set for herself and has successfully attained. So Sharon, tell us about your early years. I’m a Jersey Girl, born and raised there until High School, when we moved to Florida. We were a working-class family and at times money was tight. My mother was an amazing seamstress and we would find furniture that needed repair or refinishing and she showed me how to make slip covers, sew window treatments and more. You say you were a creative kid- examples? I remember taking all of the sheets in the house and fashioning dresses and hats with safety pins. Fortunately, my mother encouraged that creative play. While in Charlotte HS, in Punta Gorda, I loved working on sets for school plays, so I guess I was always on a track to do something with furnishings. How about after High School? Being a “cradle” interior designer, I decided to get my Bachelor Degree in Interior Design and attended Marymount College, Tarrytown, NY. I interned at Bloomingdale’s in the interior design department, back in the day when they were a big influence in home design. And your next move? I joined a luxury design-build firm, specializing in Kitchen and Bath. After working for a large firm, learning everything from multi-family housing to high end luxury design, I realized as a woman I was never going to rise to a position above being a staff designer. Believe me I was very successful, won multiple design awards, had been featured in regional and national publications, but didn’t feel I was truly appreciated and the culture of the firm was changing. So what did you do about that nagging reality? I decided it was “time to have my own place” so Thyme & Place Design was born. I wanted to provide personalized, truly client focused design, creating environments which promote, health, wellness and well being, using carefully curated details and materials crafted specifically for that client. You mention designing with wellness in mind, can you expand on that and how this also started a new branch for Thyme & Place? I approach design trying to create energetic balance in the home. I use chroma-therapy, aromatherapy, sound, sight, natural materials to create home environments that embrace the people and animals that inhabit them. I look at how families live and interact in their homes, how they want to live and how their home can be their sanctuary, a place to close out the stresses of the day and center themselves, reconnect and rejuvenate. To that end, I delved into Reiki (a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing) and created a wellness business, Thymeless Well Being, where I work with clients as a Shamanic Reiki Master. Wow, you are so enterprising, do you have any time left for hobbies, sports, travel or other activities? I do play golf, and love to be outdoors, walking/hiking. I also like to make jewelry and knit. I enjoy cooking, but as my husband is winding down his career, he has found a renewed interest in culinary arts, so I indulge him. I am traveling a lot more, presenting at conferences and NKBA chapters across the country on all things design, marketing and the future of interior design. And joining NKBA, how did that come about? A number of years ago, I was talking to Bill Darcy (NKBA Global President & CEO) and he suggested that I would really enjoy being a member and thought I could not only benefit from the activities, but also bring something to them. He was right. The venues and sponsors provide amazing experiences and the vibrancy of the members, the quality of the learning and experiences provided are fantastic. And for down time? I do have 2 grown children– Ryan, and Kristoph who will be getting married in 2025, so down time will probably be limited. And of course the beach, which is my sacred place, especially off season. Spoken like a true Jersey Girl! Thanks Sharon. For more info: thymeandplacedesign.com | 
