Real People
Interior designer Roger Upton’s specialities include interior, theater design, retail remodels Compiled by Hillary Haenes
Photos by April Massirio
H
e fell in love with designing during his early grade school years. Roger Upton, 58, sees design in everything. In fact, interior design is only one facet of his business, Roger Upton Design. Upton recently closed his downtown shop after 25 years to concentrate on his clients’ projects. He’s currently taking on a restaurant remodel, and is in the process of redesigning several homes. He’s also completing the scenery and costume designs for Cal State Bakersfield’s “The Taming of the Shrew,” which will run from Feb. 28 to March 3 at the Dore Theatre. Learn how Upton got his start in the designing business, what services he offers, and get tips on how to brighten up your home for springtime. How did you get started in interior design? My family moved to Bakersfield at the beginning of my high school years, and that’s when I took to working in costume and scenery theater design. After graduation, I started working at Brock’s Department Store in the display department where I learned the retail side of design. While working my way up the ladder at Brock’s, I continued designing for all of the local theaters, which worked its way into interior design. After Brocks, I opened Renaissance, a boutique interior design and antique store on H Street. It thrived there for 19 years, before moving to 18th Street in 2008, where it transformed into Roger Upton Design. I have designed the sets for The Bakersfield Business Conference, Bakersfield Centennial Party of the Century, as well as countless fashion show backgrounds, runways and bridal events. I still enjoy doing the costumes for Cal State Bakersfield’s theater and music departments. What is a typical day like for you? There is no such thing. One day may be 118
Bakersfield Life Magazine
March 2013
Roger Upton explains the process of the stencil and design work on the ceiling seen throughout the Guild House.