Arizona Foothills Magazine has given back to our community for more than 16 years and we are about to take on one of our largest projects yet! Arizona Foothills Magazine will be partnering with The Phoenix Dream Center and some amazing community leaders such as Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Meek, from Desert Star Construction, and Mark and Chrissy Donnelly, authors and philanthropists. The Phoenix Dream Center serves more than 40,000 people every month through a variety of programs and Arizona Foothills Magazine will be helping by supporting The Dream Center Life Recovery Program. AZfoothills.com is so proud and honored to be a part of such a wonderful cause by helping girls have a safe haven. The 10 top design firms in the Valley will be participating in a contest to create the best room for these girls. These designers were chosen not only because of their incredible skills but also because of their big heart. Each designer came forward to help with The Rescue Project by donating their time, energy and money to help create a beautiful room. By working together to help build a warm and loving environment for these oppressed girls, we are facilitating a better community in Arizona. Each week we will feature one designer who is helping Arizona become a better place.

Meet the first designer Janet Brooks from Janet Brooks Design

Janet Brooks (Photographs by Danny Raustadt)

Caylen Yauney (left), Janet Brooks (center), Kim Knudsen (right)

Arizona Foothills Magazine: What is the name of your company? 

JBD: Janet Brooks Design.

Arizona Foothills Magazine: When and where was your company founded? 

JBD: The Company was founded in Crested Butte, Colorado, in 1979.

Arizona Foothills Magazine: Where is your office located? 

8701 E. Vista Bonita Dr., Suite 115, Scottsdale, AZ 85255.

Arizona Foothills Magazine: Why did you choose to become a designer? 

JBD: I always loved history and loved studying Art History, but did not take it into a career mode.  Then, after spending a few years as a “ski bum” in Crested Butte, CO I had an opportunity to go to work. I worked for a very talented ASID designer, from New York City, as her Showroom manager.  Within a few months, I knew I had found my niche in life and went on to open my own studio with a seasoned designer, as a partner the following year.

Arizona Foothills Magazine: What other designers have inspired your vision to create beautiful work? 

JBD: Annie Rowitz, ASID, my mentor and first employer.  She was versatile, practical, responsible and incredibly creative.  She taught me that good designers are respectful team players and bring out the best in all the trades and other professionals on each project.

Arizona Foothills Magazine: What sets you apart from other designers? 

JBD: Not only do I enjoy doing many different design styles, but also I have never used the same piece of furniture or the same fabric twice in my career.  No two clients are the same, so why should they have the same design in their homes?

Arizona Foothills Magazine: What is the craziest idea that someone has asked you to design? 

JBD: My son’s tree house.  I was actually flattered that he thought I was talented enough to do it!Is there one specific design you have done that is your favorite or you have had the most fun with?  I have the most fun when I have a chance to work on a project that is outside my comfort zone. I love when it requires research into materials and design styles I am not familiar with.  I really enjoyed doing a restaurant in Santa Fe, NM, which stretched my imagination to new lengths in many different ways.

Arizona Foothills Magazine: What are the main reasons you are choosing to participate in such a wonderful and motivating cause? 

JBD: I have been looking for a cause close to my heart for a few months, and nothing I looked into until this one was inspiring to me.  The Dream Center is a place where the path of a life can be completely changed, and where people have a chance to do a do-over.

 Arizona Foothills Magazine: What experience do you hope to take away from helping the beautiful and inspiring women from the Phoenix Dream Center? 

JBD: I want to imagine young women staying in the room I created, finding the good and the power in themselves, in a way they never thought possible.