Name: Carrie Gates
Company/Years: Absolute Procurement / 6 years (10 years previously at Ankrom Moisan Architects)
IIDA Member Since: 2008

Favorite IIDA event: The Design Awards, held every fall. It’s basically a big party where designers, reps, consultants and other industry professionals can enjoy the fruits of our labor and feel a great sense of camaraderie as part of the interior design field. I love seeing the completed projects that my peers have worked on and am always inspired by the design innovations specific to our region. Plus it’s fun to show the judges the amazing work our Oregon Chapter produces. From a business perspective, it allows me to see the work of various design firms, giving me opportunity to discuss future collaborations.

Hobbies?: Spending time with my husband Jayson, our two little ladies and dog, being amongst friends and family, traveling, running, listening to live music, trying new restaurants and setting off on new adventures.

Favorite color at the moment?: Color is perhaps one of the most important decisions in design. Amongst other things, color can evoke mood, define spaces and affect the way a space is used. Color trends are always changing but these days, I’m really digging Navy blue – always classic, always fresh, always elevates a space.

Interesting fact?:There are many reports of elephants showing altruism toward other species, such as rescuing trapped dogs at considerable cost to themselves.

Favorite design magazine/blog?: For business, I like hospitalitydesign.com. In the procurement industry it’s a great FF&E / furniture resource because it connects my business to vendors, products and projects. I often research current projects to find out who is designing them, and have forged relationships with many companies that I have found on the site. For fun, I like Remodilista.com so I can dream up my future beach house.