Local Business Spotlight | Diane Cashen Interiors | Mobile, AL

Welcome to the new Business Spotlight, a weekly submission about the amazing people behind local businesses around the Gulf Coast area.

This week the spotlight falls on Diane Cashen, with Diane Cashen Interiors LLC.

Diane’s continued appreciation of art and all things creative drew her into a career as an interior designer.

Diane earned an A.A. from Illinois Central College and went to work as an artist and soon became an Art Director for PJS Publications. She worked there eight years, designing covers, layouts, advertisements and marketing pieces for both newsstand and trade publications. She loved every minute of this exciting place.

Her husband’s work required a move – one of many.  So along the way, she studied photography and silk screen printing, taking stained and etched glass courses, and also business and economics.  She spent 12 years as a freelance designer on a multitude of projects that required a series of classes in Photoshop, Illustrator, Powerpoint, Excel etc. to sharpen her computer skills.  She turned to interior design after one final stint as a Creative Director for SB magazine.

The move to the Gulf Coast gave her the opportunity of working in a fine furniture store as an Interior Design Consultant.  For eight years she learned about fine furniture, it’s construction, many styles and qualities.  She learned about manufactures, fabrics, woods, veneers, hardware, and the ability to customize pieces. She acquired a large clientele from combining her good sense of design, with great pieces and her personal qualities of caring about every project and giving her best to every client.

She coupled her strong design skills with her innate instinct and ability to understand her clients needs and branched out to open her own interior design business.  She continues her education in new materials and trends in workshops and online.  She has spent the last twelve years transforming residential and commercial spaces in Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Louisiana and Illinois.

Here’s what Diane had to say about herself during our little interview and headshot session:

“I am an interior designer who feels blessed to get to do what I do. I am passionate about my work – in a quiet way.  Whether it is brainstorming on a new project, drawing a final plan or putting the finishing touches on decorating a space, I am very detail oriented, hardworking and a creative thinker.

First, I always listen to my clients.  I take their project and develop a plan within their budget and then just make it happen.  I believe every space should reflect the tastes, lifestyle and purpose of its users.  How we get there is the key.  That is why you need me.  I have the knowledge, experience and resources to make any space a place you will love to be in.

I can take an existing space and completely transform it.  Or just update it with new accessories and color.   I can take an empty space and place all your belongings or find the pieces to fill it.  I can repurpose existing pieces, design new pieces, have pieces refinished or reupholstered.  I design or redesign kitchens, bathrooms, closets, bookcases – virtually any space.

I can save you time and money by knowing where and with whom to shop, having developed relationships with furniture manufacturers, fabric houses, tradespeople and custom workrooms over the years.

Sometimes I merely help clients decide on materials to complete a project or simply pick a color scheme – no project is too small.  I really care about my clients.  I believe that is why my business has been built on referrals.  I work with many of my clients or their family and friends over long periods of time.

I can help with  space planning, room arrangement, remodeling, colors, floors, ceilings, walls, windows, doors, carpet, rugs, lamps, fixtures, countertops, sinks, mirrors, pictures – I do it all. 

I listen, I create I design & decorate. I work with my clients to make any space a place they love to be in… so let’s begin.”