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Thursday, September 6 , 2007
 WHERE: Glenhurst, 3095 Huntingdon Pike, Bryn Athyn
WHEN: Saturday, September 15 through Sunday, October 7
Professional interior designer Kristine Robinson arrived at her life’s work in a rather round about way.
“I studied performance opera right out of high school. At the same time I was helping friends with their décor and discovered I loved the design of homes and the architecture,” said Robinson of Robinson Interiors at Sycamore Cottage, who has been the instructor for a wide variety of Interior Design classes at Temple University Fort Washington for the past four years. I began working in real estate, but it was the aesthetics of the houses that I knew I loved. After going to design school and working for a trade show room that sold to top interior designers, I worked in a design firm and then opened my own business."
On Saturday, September 15, Robinson’s skills will be on display as part of the “Holy Redeemer Designer Showhouse,” located at historic Glenhurst, 3095 Huntingdon Pike, in Bryn Athyn. Proceeds from the Showhouse, located just across from the Bryn Athyn Cathedral, will benefit the Dreuding Center/Project Rainbow, Holy Reedemer Health System’s transitional housing program for mothers and children in need. The Showhouse will be open to the public through Sunday, October 7.
“The showhouse is a beautiful turn-of-the century, 10 bedroom Tudor mansion built by the Pitcairn family. There are about 30 designers involved in this event with teams of designers working on different rooms,” Robinson said. “Tickets will be $25 per person. Visitors will see the artistic vision of dozens of designers on display — there will also be items for sale in each room.”
Robinson’s room is “Sewing Serenity,” a 22-foot by 20-foot sewing/laundry room with a large sitting area, built-in cabinetry and a combination of old and new. In addition to the modern convenience of LG washers and dryers, Robinson is “filling the room with antiques, including a wondrous collection of Victorian miniature sewing machines.” Robinson had the inside track on the machines, which are quite rare — they came from her mother.
“This house is all about history,” she said. “I wanted to embrace that and present the old world charm of the space through antiques, which are placed sculpturally.”
 Robinson’s enthusiasm and desire to mentor future designers is clearly evident in the courses that she teaches at Temple University Fort Washington. Starting out teaching just a few classes in the Interior Design Certificate Program four years ago, she now teaches all of the necessary courses and several of the electives.
“We just started an Advanced Interior Design Certificate Program last fall and are starting the second cycle of the program. The classes are a mixture of homeowners interested in doing some things around their houses and people interested in interior design as a career,” Robinson said. “About half of the people entering the program are exploring second careers. For some, the courses are a starting off point to continue their education while for others it’s the beginning of opening the own business — a course on starting your own business is part of the program.”
Temple University offers the Interior Design Certificate Program certificate for homeowners who want to make the best design decisions for their interiors and for those individuals who are contemplating entry into the interior design industry. The Interior Design Certificate Program is a 30-hour program, which includes five courses on each of the most crucial areas in the design field, including design and layout, effective use of color, fabrics and materials, furniture, and lighting and accessories.
Fundamentals of Design and Layout, an important first step in the program, will be offered for four Tuesdays, September 11 through October 2, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The program will also be offered in the evening for four Thursdays, September 20 through October 11 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Courses in The Effective Use of Color and Fabrics and Materials will be offered in October, followed by Furniture and Lighting and Accessories in December.
The Certificate Program in Advanced Interior Design was developed for those who have completed their Interior Design certificate and/or have at least one year of practical experience in the design field. The series provides an opportunity for hands-on experience and individual professional attention from the instructor. To earn the certificate, participants must complete three required courses and two elective courses.
Advanced Room Design will be offered for four Tuesdays, September 11 through October 9 (no class on October 2), from 7 to 9 p.m. Design and Layout: Creating Professional Computerized Floor Plans With SmartDraw 2007 will be offered for three Tuesdays, October 16 to 30, from 7 to p.m., followed by The Business Side of Interior Design, for two Tuesdays, November 13 and 20, from 7 to 9 p.m.
 “The Internet in particular has greatly affected the interior design industry. Designer objects are now much more accessible and the field has become much more competitive,” Robinson said. “It’s forced the industry to become more services oriented instead of product driven. This profession is all about doing what you love to do. I believe that interior designs can change people’s lives — when you wake up every day in a room that you love, that is going to change your perspective on the day ahead.”
The Holy Redeemer Design Showhouse will be open to the public Mondays and Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays, 1 to 5 p.m.
For more information on the Holy Redeemer Designer Showhouse, visit www.holyredeemer.com/page.php?id=1165. For more information on the Dreuding Center/Project Rainbow, visit www.holyredeemer.com/page.php?id=516. For more information on Robinson Interiors, visit www.kristine.robinson.org.
Temple University Ambler and Fort Washington offer hundreds of non-credit programs each semester. The Fall 2007 Non-Credit Course Guide is available online. Pick up a copy today, call the Office of Non-Credit and Special Programs at 267-468-8500 or visit www.ambler.temple.edu and click on Non-Credit Programs.
For questions about non-credit programs or to suggest new courses, call 267-468-8500.
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