FULL FRAME Designer
HIGH STYLE & DESIGN Jill Ballew of High Country Drapery Designs, 2022 Designer of the Year In part, Jill Ballew’s interest in design and décor is due to her very understanding parents. While growing up, she was permitted to decorate and change the design and décor of her bedroom.
Photos: Ty Johnston / Ty in the Sky Photography
Although Ballew’s interest in design continued when she went to college, she decided to pursue a major in education. But, as it turned out, the school of education was in the same building as the school of design. “I really thought I was going to be a teacher, but then I saw how much fun the design students were having and it really piqued my interest,” said Ballew. Thus, she switched her major and, as an elective for her coursework, she took a sewing class from which she was able to sew the flower girl dresses for her wedding. As a mother of five children, Ballew was always focused on the design and décor of her homes (as she and her family have moved around quite a bit). Whenever she entertained, guests always asked her about who decorated her home. “And when people found I did the decorating myself, they asked if I could do or create something for their homes,” she said. This allowed Ballew to create a home-based side hustle by designing and sewing home décor projects for people. Then, in 2015, Ballew decided to go full time and took a position as an outdoor designer for a local pool company. This opportunity allowed Ballew to build her confidence in her talents and abilities, but she also learned that the amount of work she was able to do was limited because she was both designing and sewing. In addition to hiring people who would do the sewing, Ballew began to connect with local interior designers about her experience in designing window treatments. She found the perfect niche
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SEPTEMBER + OCTOBER 2022 | wf-vision.com
Euro-pleated drapery in a 1920s North Chattanooga dining room.