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Julie Wait Fryauf first combined her interests in art, textiles, fashion and helping others while studying for her interior design degree at Texas Christian University. She founded Julie Wait Designs in Dallas, Texas, in 1985, and relocated to northwest Arkansas in 1992. Since that time, she’s built an imaginative and knowledgeable team, including Aubrey Pate, ASID; Misty Martin Dennis, Allied ASID; Leila Pollard, Allied ASID; and office manager Barb McBride. With so much talent in one firm, it’s no surprise that Julie’s team has worked on a wide range of projects from residential to commercial throughout Arkansas.

Continued education plays an important role in Julie’s firm. Julie and Aubrey completed the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam, both are professional and active members of the American Society of Interior Design (ASID), and they both are certified with Arkansas State Registered Interior Designers (ASRID). Misty is currently studying for the NCIDQ, while Leila is studying for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Professional Accreditation exam. This passion for education keeps the team up-to-date on the latest innovations in the design industry, and offers a wide knowledge base from which to assist clients.

Julie Wait Designs provides a full range of interior design and space planning services, and the group has worked on a variety of projects including schools, offices, health clinics, retail businesses and residences. “Every project is unique and designed around the needs of the client,” Julie says. “Our design approach puts function as the foremost requirement for any project. Our mission is to understand who our clients are and their image of their workplace or home. It’s our goal to carefully plan and design fully coordinated interiors, from the finishes and furniture to the lighting and artwork.” For the fifth consecutive year, the firm has been awarded interior design awards by the South Central chapter of ASID and honored by their peers by winning 13 different design awards.

The firm’s office is located in historic downtown Rogers, and Julie chose to fully remodel a 100-year-old building two-and-a-half years ago. “We looked at various properties in this area for a number of years until we found the right building to transform into the firm’s home,” she says. “We replicated many of the historic details from the original storefront into the interior design of the now open and airy contemporary studio and art gallery. The 5,000-square-foot footprint boasts a design studio, large resource room for residential and commercial fabrics, finishes, furniture and interior building materials, a presentation room for residential projects where materials can be pinned up for review under incandescent lighting, and a conference room for commercial projects where materials can be presented under fluorescent lighting.” Julie Wait Designs is also very proud of their on-site art gallery located in the reception area. They often host art exhibits to support the northwest Arkansas art community and to better acquaint their clients and the public with local artists. “The goal of our art shows is to place the work of regional artists in northwest Arkansas projects,” Julie says.

This breadth of offerings makes the team truly unique. “We believe a team of experts representing different fields of expertise designs the best projects,” Julie says. “When a project involves a wide range of architectural and engineering issues, we develop a team of consultants. We have partnered with 17 different architectural firms in the northwest Arkansas area on various projects. We also have worked with all the major furniture dealerships in Arkansas and many engineering consultants. We truly try to create an integrated look through coordinating all interior details.” Clients find this technique of cooperative creating so valuable that Julie has a considerable amount of repeat business. “One great client relationship that we have been blessed with has grown to include not only designing their businesses, but also their family residences, which include the homes of the parents, grandparents and four adult children.” Julie says.

Looking to the future, Julie continues to strive for excellence. “Our design team is committed to utilizing products and design concepts that contribute to planning long-lasting and economical green building,” she says. “The objective of sustainable design is to reduce the negative impact on the environment, reduce consumption of non-renewable resources, minimize waste and create healthy and productive environments by making informed choices on materials and resources. Our entire team of designers is each a member of the United States Green Building Council and is knowledgeable in green sources and LEED projects. We’re currently completing the design work for the Beaver Water District administration building in Lowell, which is seeking LEED certification for new construction.”