Today we’d like to introduce you to Libby Patrick.
Hi Libby, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in a small town called Decatur, Alabama on the Tennessee River on the wildlife refuge. I spent lots of time exploring and playing outside, which began my love for nature and the outdoors. As a childhood cancer survivor, creativity was my outlet to alleviate my anxiety through surgeries and treatment. I started using drawing and writing to express myself. Through the use of watercolor painting, I developed a love to mix and experiment with colors. In high school, I made a visit to my uncle’s large commercial architecture and interior design firm and worked as an intern, and I learned the difference between interior architecture/design and interior decorating. I thought that I might enjoy a career that could combine my background in art with architecture which led me to Auburn University. I learned how to develop a strong concept based on research in order to create three dimensional beautifully proportioned spaces and to create a sense of place. After graduation, I worked for a large Architecture firm in Atlanta in their Interior design division and I worked on large corporate office spaces. After that, I moved to Birmingham and worked for another medium-sized Architecture firm and I was able to get an extremely broad range of experience doing the interior architecture and design for large public spaces including the Historic downtown library, the downtown YMCA, the Birmingham Turf Club horse racing track, the Pickwick Hotel, Central bank, Lakeside Hospital and high-end residential projects. After five years, I moved back to Atlanta and was hired by TVS to design a custom high-end shopping experience at Phipps Plaza. This project proved to be a game-changer for the shopping center industry. My colleagues and I took this project type, which had traditionally been designed as an open exterior feeling corridor space with park benches, trees and a skylight on top, and we transformed Phipps Plaza into a luxury interior designed space. There are 13 different marbles used to create the floor patterns, custom glass handrails and decorative lighting, hand-tufted rugs, customized curved benches and leather lounge furniture for example. I was fortunate to be promoted to Principal in the firm while I was on maternity leave, and after several years when our son was young, I took a leave of absence.
I wanted to have the flexibility to spend time with him and to be involved in his school and sports activities. I begin working part-time out of the basement of our home and begin to grow our staff. We gained some amazing clients through “word of mouth” references and won some prestigious project commissions. This is how Sims Patrick Studio was born.
Today we are a 15 person firm post-covid, and I hope to grow to 20+ in the future. We specialize in large scale, complex hospitality projects, primarily one-of-a kind boutique hotels and restaurants as well as high-end residential. Our tagline is “Shaping places into Memories”. Through the lens of storytelling, we research the location, history, culture, food, music, fashion, outdoor flora and fauna and anything else that makes for an authentic memorable three dimensional experience. We have built an incredible culture in our office, and to me, it’s all about our amazing team of wonderful people that work hard and love to have fun!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not always been smooth! In the beginning, we often wondered how we would be able to make payroll. For small firms, cash flow can be such an issue and we were no exception. We started in the basement of our home and we grew to seven people before we moved out into an office space. I realize that I am smart enough to know that I need people that are different than I am to make things go smoothly. I am fortunate to have my partners Jenny Rutledge and Melissa Wylie to compliment my skills. We all need each other and we work like a tripod. The 2008 recession took a toll on us and the Covid-19 pandemic has also taken a huge toll on all of us in the hospitality business.
As you know, we’re big fans of Sims Patrick Studio. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We specialize in one of a kind hospitality projects; We are known for bespoke boutique hotels.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was a real tomboy growing up, playing lots of sports and spending lots of time exploring the nearby woods and river. I was on the varsity Basketball team and tennis team. I caught turtles, I had a horse, we had a lot of animals – dogs, cats, birds, gerbils, bunnies, ducks and more. My family and I loved rehabilitating strays. I learned to bird hunt, but I was a terrible shot. I also loved to fish. I now love to hike, bike, snow ski and kickbox. I also love drawing and painting too.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://simspatrickstudio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simspatrickstudio/
