Kathy Flack, ASID

Education:

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interior Design in Business from the University of Northern Iowa 1973. Continuing education in specialized areas yearly.

Employment and Experience:

Worked in the interior design field from 1973 to 1975 at Black’s Home Store, from 1975 to 1977 at Mueller’s furniture and from 1977 to 1981 at Tom Klemuk Interiors, before opening own business in 1981. 1981- Started Kathy Flack Interiors out of my home- designing office and residential interiors. 1986 - Incorporated and changed business name to Flack Interior Design Associates, Inc. 1987 - The business was moved into the River Plaza Building in downtown Waterloo. 1995 to present- Moved to larger office space on Kimball Avenue in Waterloo.

Major Projects:

My main focus currently is in residential interior design and I have completed significant housing projects locally and in Cedar Rapids, Independence, Decorah, Clear Lake & Okoboji, Lake Panorama, plus out of state projects in Florida, California and Arizona.

Commercial interiors created and executed for the following clients: The River Plaza Building (YMCA Renovation), The Waterloo Club, River Plaza Athletic Club, Nelson Insurance Offices, The Warner Group, Flack Interior Design Associates, Inc., Ferrari’s Italian Restaurant Redesign, Friendship Village, Park Lane Remodel- Med Center, The New "Cove" Addition- Initial phase, Cardiology Specialist- Allen Hospital - Phase I and Phase II, National Bank of Waterloo - Ridgeway Plaza Branch Remodel, National Bank of Waterloo - Logan Plaza Branch Remodel, Orthopedic Specialists at Covenant Hospital, Terry L. Butz Creative, Waterloo, Iowa Advertising Agency, Terry L. Butz Creative, Los Angeles, California Advertising Agency, Heartland Acres Event Center.

Activities:

A.S.I.D. (American Society of Interior Designers) associate member in 1975. Passed the N.C. I.D.Q. (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) exam in 1980 earning accreditation as well as a professional member designation in A.S.I.D., Nebraska/ Iowa A.S.I.D. newsletter editor form 1981 to 1983., Nebraska/ Iowa A.S.I.D. Board of Directors member from 1984 to 1986. Chairperson of Nebraska/ Iowa A.S.I.D. Career Weekend in Des Moines (1987) coordinating students from U.N.I., Iowa State and University of Nebraska, Omaha and Lincoln with a weekend of professional and sales seminars. Appointed Northeast Iowa A.S.I.D. team leader from 1987 to 2001 coordinating member meetings and new membership follow up. Coordinator of the local designers and participate in the Waterloo Exchange Club’s "Home Show" A.S.I.D. Pavilion and seminars from 1985 through the present held annually in February. Created over twenty-eight rooms for the annual Home Show for A.S.I.D. 1978 to 1980, and 1982 to present. Iowa Vice President of the Nebraska/ Iowa A.S.I.D. chapter in 1993 and 1994. C.I.D.I. Coalition of Interior Designers charter member from 1988 to 1993. 1988 involved in amending an act in the Iowa legislature to recognize interior design as a profession capable of interior construction, except for supporting walls. An act had previously gotten passed excluding us from any interior remodeling above the second floor in commercial buildings. We did get that act amended. 1991 to 1993- working for the Interior Designer Title Act confirming a professional’s education and experience, noting competence in the profession through testing. 2000 to present C.I.D.I. participant for registration act. Board member of the Hawkeye Tech Interior Design Advisory Board for over twenty-nine years (1978- present). Fall 1989 Board of Regents Public Presentation on why the Home Economics undergraduate school should continue at the University of Northern Iowa and not be cut because of fund allocation- was asked by Dr. Chung, Dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences & Consumer Science Department at U.N.I. to speak on behalf of undergraduate alumni (The undergraduate college was voted in as continuing). Student Apprenticeships: Since 1978 I have worked with over 25 students through their internship pre-professional apprenticeships for 6 weeks to 4 months each year. Students participating were from the University of Northern Iowa, Iowa State University, and Hawkeye College. I have also made presentations for 4H groups, grade school, middle school and high schools expanded learning programs.

Awards:

2003 A.S.I.D. Chapter project award for residential space. 1995 Five Star Business award from the Mayor of Waterloo and City Council for services to the community. 1995 Nebraska/ Iowa A.S.I.D. Chapter Presidential Citation. 1988 First place contract award entry. A.S.I.D./ Halo National Lighting Design Competition winner present in Washington D.C. Awarded for the design of my offices at River Plaza and judged on design and lighting environment. 1987 Waterloo Ambassadors "Key to City" recognition for business development. 1972 Initiated into Phi Upsilon Omicron- National Honorary Home Economics Fraternity- University of Northern Iowa- selection based on scholastic achievement.

Community Services and Memberships:

Charter President of the University of Northern Iowa Home Economics Alumni Association and Board member from 1979 to 1981. 1982- Decorated Conway Civic Center for the 1982 Symphony "Christmas at Conway" Concert. 1983 to 1984- Jr. Art Gallery "Renaissance" Exhibit steering committee and construction committee. Developed and constructed "castle" interior space for the children’s exhibit that was open through the school year at the Recreation Center. 1984 to 1990- Member of Alliance for the Mentally Ill and board of Directors member from 1985 to 1987. 1986 to present- Waterloo Chamber of Commerce member. Served on marketing council and New Member committee 1986-1988. 1986- Donated interior design services to Schoitz Children Sick Bay interior design project. 1986- Rensallaer Russle House 125^th Birthday Party Steering Committee. 1987- Donated interior design services to the Family and Children’s Councils possible remodeling project at the Pinecrest Facility. Floor planning and project plan needed for funding requirements. 1987 to 1993- Partner in Education volunteer with Roosevelt school. 1987- Serving as coordinator for the partnership. 1987 to 1991- Certificate and Award Committee. 1991 to 1993- provided secretarial services for partnership. 1988- Donated interior design services and floor planning to the Family and Children’s Council’s possible move to the Northwestern Bell Building. Floor planning and project plan needed for funding requirements. 1989 to 1990- Volunteered interior design services and floor planning to the Black Hawk Grundy Mental Health Women’s Group Home- also coordinating used materials donated by the local community. 1990- Donated interior design services to St. Ed’s Day Care/ Preschool renovation. 1991 to 1993 Habitat for Humanity- Construction Committee and volunteer. Renovated first home in Black Hawk County and built one house. 1994 and 1996 Festival of Trees, Sartori Hospital Fund Raiser- Christmas table settings- first place and Peoples Choice awards, respectively. Waterloo/ Cedar Falls Junior League: Active volunteer and member for twelve years 1980 to 1992 serving on many committees. *1988 Major Fund- Raising Project for Junior League- I created and co-chaired the "$25,000 Dream Kitchen Sweepstakes" coordinating, designing and supervising local interior construction business to complete a kitchen won by a local residents in a raffle that earned over $ 8,000.00 donated toward the Hartman Reserve project, a Junior League Focus Project. 1992 to present – sustainer activities.

Kathy Flack, ASID

How to Work With an Interior Designer

Working with an interior designer can be exciting, fun and educational. Ask friends and neighbors for any referrals or look in advertising venues, such as, the phone book or newspapers for information. If you like a home or business you are visiting in ask who designed the interior. When you are interviewing a designer ask for referrals, education and work backgrounds.

A good working relationship requires communication and lots of it. We need to listen and ask the right questions. We want to get to know you better. Questions go beyond color choices and furniture styles. We want to know about each client’s lifestyle:

What do you expect when finished?
How many children?
Allergies?
Work schedules?
How do they entertain?

This helps us to understand your needs. Seeing client’s existing homes is helpful to a successful working relationship. We need to build a good rapport and see your lifestyle.

Client Responsibilities:

Do a little groundwork before setting down with a designer, go to shows and look at design magazines.
Don’t be intimidated – be assertive about what you like.
Be specific with your designer about how much money you plan to spend.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and let us know when you don’t understand something about the plans.
Ask about fees and deposits.
Check out guarantees and policies (returns).
Start preparing a file of ideas and pictures from magazines or catalogs.
Set a realistic time frame for having the work completed and check your designers work schedules.

Trust your instincts and embrace “CHANGE”. Be open to alternative solutions.

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