If you'd like to know more about how I got here, keep reading...

I grew up in the lovely little town of Wellsville, New York.  My father was a perfectionist and shy, either playing his banjo or golf when he wasn't being a pharmacist.  My mother was whimsical, creative, and had a nurturing spirit.  She was an elementary school nurse; everyone called her "Nurse Dawn".  She loved and collected everything....rocks, prisms, feathers, books...anything that had meaning to her.

Not surprisingly, our home was very cluttered with "stuff", the kind of place where we had to clear the table before and after dinner. She had a vision for our home that struggled to come to fruition.  She wore many hats, as most working mothers do, but we always made time for a trip to the salvage yard or thrift store to find more treasures!

We were passionate about interior design and loved discussing all things related to the art of creating beautiful spaces. We dreamed of turning our shared love of art and design into a thriving business, but allied health was the practical choice for college, and I became an Optician. I married a charismatic, handsome Jersey Boy, and we started a life together. In 2008, we relocated his family business to beautiful Blacksburg.

After eight years of trying to start a family, I would finally become a mother. My brother's wife was pregnant too. We had the same due date; the day our mother was diagnosed with cancer a year earlier. She was only 60 years old.  My mother would never meet her granddaughter and grandson, but I believe in divine intervention and miracles.  I see her creativity and quick wit in our daughter every day. I see her kind heart and sense of wonder in our son. Unfortunately, hoarding must skip a generation, though.

I understand how short life is.  I know how frustrating it is to grow up with clutter and be embarrassed to have friends over (sorry Mom).  I believe we all want comfort and calm when we get home. We work too hard to keep apologizing and putting it off.  Why can't it feel like Christmas every morning when we wake up?  

In Focus Interiors was born from my need to help people like my mother, and to FINALLY live out my dream before it was too late. It gives me such joy bringing beauty, calm, and happiness into busy families lives.  Named as a nod to my optical roots because let's face it, the Gaines name is already pretty well covered.  Are our husband's related?  Maybe I'll find out someday.