I want to use my page here to honor an industry colleague—and friend—of mine, of Hotel Business and, perhaps, you, too. If you didn’t know her personally, you might know her work. She was an award-winning hospitality, commercial and residential interior designer.
Celia Barrett Blake passed away earlier this month. She was the founder/CEO/principal designer at Barrett Design Studio, headquartered in Jackson, MS, with a satellite office in New York City.
This issue of Hotel Business goes to BDNY next month for bonus distribution at the trade show and conference. One of my favorite things about BDNY was meeting up with Celia who, on more than one occasion, joined us and our team at fun and fabulous design dinners in New York City. We’d make sure to set aside some time in our busy show schedule to meet up to talk about work, life and the design trends and products we were excited to see over the course of a few days. Celia, you’ll surely be missed this year, as will your keen insight, eye for detail, boundless energy and excitement to immerse yourself in all things design.
Celia graduated from Auburn University’s College of Architecture with a degree in interior design. She continued her studies at Parson’s School of Design in New York in both set design and antiques, and also studied theater at New York’s Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. For six years, she was the artistic director and producer for The Acting Group, a professional theater company in New York City. And she so cleverly and creatively brought the intersection of design and theater to life in her presentation “Design is Theatre,” detailing a process that takes the principles of acting and theater production and parallels them with the process of designing a commercial property.
In 1989, Celia launched her interior design business in New York City. She was often a speaker at hospitality and design conferences, including the NYU International Investment Conference where I was fortunate enough to have her on my panel, and was an adjunct professor for the senior interior design class at MS College for six years.
It’s not often you meet someone and immediately click, but it was just so natural with Celia. From the moment I met her, there was a connection. Her warmth, kindness and love of life and laughter touched me—and so many of us. Celia’s care and compassion was evident every time she checked in and asked, ‘How are you doing?’ truly wanting to know and listen to your answer. She had the special quality of making the most uncomfortable person in the room feel comfortable. Celia was a genuine design talent, and a light to so many of us.
Upon learning of her passing, a couple of Celia’s colleagues and friends reached out to me, wanting to honor her memory.
“Celia became a cherished lifelong friend the moment I was introduced to her by Christina,” said Gary Inman, president/principal designer, Gary Inman Interior Design. “We planned our trade shows so we could spend time together throughout the year. Her luminous smile and her gorgeous Bette Davis eyes, enhanced by her endless curiosity and passion for her career and her beloved husband, Joe, were unforgettable. We shared our triumphs and losses, always with grace and a bit of wicked humor, complemented by a few very dry martinis. Celia will remain a part of my life forever. I will hear her sage advice and her always-generous praise as I continue my journey.”
“We connected immediately from the moment we met,” said Stacy Garcia, CEO/chief inspiration officer, Stacy Garcia Inc. “I looked forward to seeing her each year, and she was always on our VIP list at events—her bright smile and warm welcome was like a boost of energy. Celia had a grace about her that made everyone feel special, and her genuine hospitality left a lasting impression on everyone she met. She was a class act, a talented designer and a lovely lady.”
