Exploring Life & Business with Deborah Cook of Fluture Design

Today we’d like to introduce you to Deborah Cook.

Hi Deborah, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
A KC Native – I grew up in Olathe, KS in a red brick ranch with a cornfield next door.

My love for homes started from an early age. Childhood memories include drawing floorplans & rearranging my bedroom. I would drive down any street & look at homes, dreaming of what color & details I would change/keep.

Creativity comes naturally in Interior Design.

In high school, I took a Home EC Class (now known as FACS) We toured a model home, drafted floorplans, & designed a dream home. I was intrigued! I enrolled in JCCC that next year.

I graduated from JCCC with a degree in Interior Design. While in college, I served on the board of our college ASID design organization. I helped with the Symphony Showhouse and got my feet wet interning with BJ Eichorn, a Mission Hills, KS-based Interior Designer.

After college, I started my 1st business “Designs by Deborah” and worked part-time in lighting sales at Western Chandelier. Lighting is the “jewelry” of the home and has always played a strong role in my design plans for each project.

While growing my business, my family grew as well. I am a wife & mother of two teenagers. We reside in the country east of Lee’s Summit, MO. We love gardening, and animals-we have goats, rabbits, ducks & chickens, and I love the flexibility with my job to attend my kid’s sports & activities.

Over the past years, I have worked in window treatments, lighting, flooring, and for a local home builder. The knowledge acquired at each job stays with me to help grow my business, and the expertise offered to each client project.

In 2020, during the Covid Quarantine, I restarted my own Design Firm -“Fluture Design Co.” Recently, hiring our 1st employee, the business has grown by leaps & bounds. We specialize in new home construction & remodels, with a bit of decorating & floral design mixed in. We love helping our clients with holiday decorating as well!

Often, I am asked what is my design style, and what has evolved over the years. I can’t pick just one, and my design caters to each client. My personal home is traditional, with a bit of Rustic mixed in. Overall, interior design has been my passion since a young age.

My favorite quote is: “The meaning of life is to find your gift, the purpose of life is to give it away”- Pablo Picasso.

My passion & career are one.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Every career has its challenges.

The key is to be flexible & change jobs/work environment/specialty as needed. I have worked through the 2008 recession & more recently 2020 quarantine. With technology, E-Design & zoom has been a great help to complete projects remotely.

Overall, Interior Design is a vast field with many opportunities for creativity & growth. So many facets of design, that most designers need to find their niche.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Fluture means “Butterfly” in Romanian. The butterfly is symbolic of change, transformation, comfort, hope & positivity. These are the attributes we strive to give to each project.

We offer a variety of services from hourly consultations to entire home/business design. Individualized services – We meet with our clients to discuss the scope of the project and come up with a plan based on their wants & needs.

We would love to hear about your dreams for your space & help you to achieve that. We also can help those who don’t know where to begin!

What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love Kansas City.

My favorite place is the Plaza, Loose Park & Ward Parkway. I love the old neighborhoods, and the beautiful homes, and think of those who planned these beautiful spaces & fountain-lined streets for future generations to enjoy.

I also love shopping at the West Bottoms. A great spot for a treasure hunt for unique items. First Fridays is a must if you are new to KC! KC BBQ is #1-Gates is my favorite!

Most of all, I love the people! When we have hosted sporting events, People from other cities comment on the kindness & generosity of KC. I see it daily in my interactions with my clients & network of vendors & contractors. KC is #1 in my book & will always be my hometown.

I love to travel & see architecture around the world. Europe is next on my bucket list.

Most of all, I love to spend time with my kids and watch them grow & turn into the awesome humans they are meant to be! Their unique skills & personalities inspire me to keep growing & learning. It is a lifelong journey for all of us.

Pricing:

• Hourly Consult Fee $125
• Full House/Business Design by Contract -Flat Fee.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.fluturedesign.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fluturedesignco/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fluturedesign/