09/09/2026
Heather Dae is more than just a colleague, she’s a friend and collaborator. She’s spent 30 years honing her skills as an interior designer and she brings our residential designs to life with her amazing touches. Please give her a like, share, and follow for the latest trends and stunning content!
THREE DECADES. A FEW LESSONS. 💜
In 1996, after my military service, I started in the kitchen and bath industry doing commercial takeoffs for a Ferguson satellite branch. I had no idea where that first job would lead me.
Two years later, I moved into showroom sales. From there came boutique showrooms, a move to Texas, running a plumbing and hardware manufacturers’ rep agency, a return to showroom sales - and all the while, that design bug kept getting louder.
Then came what I like to call a series of divine intervention moments.
Through NKBA, I had the opportunity to study for my design certification. I earned my AKBD, and in 2020, I took the leap and started Divine Details LLC.
Thirty years after that first takeoff, I can say this industry has given me far more than a career.
It has given me a community.
I’ve served NKBA in several board roles, attended KBIS more than 20 times, participated in the NKBA mentorship program, and had the privilege of attending the Women to Women Conference twice - an incredible gathering of women encouraging, challenging, and lifting one another up.
I’ve mentored design students, taught classes at Collin College, led a Lightovation tour at Dallas Market Center, been invited to join Collin College’s Design Advisory Committee, become a verified Influential Woman, and found another wonderful community through ContractHER Dallas.
But after three decades, I don't think about the accomplishments most.
I think about what I've learned.
1. Do your job. Period.
Do it to the very best of your ability, every single day.
I constantly ask myself, “What is one more?”
What is one more thing I can do to make this easier to understand? More functional? More beautiful? Less overwhelming?
My clients don't live and breathe design and construction every day. I do. Part of my job is taking the confusion and overwhelm out of the process.
2. Take care of yourself.
You cannot run on the ragged edge of burnout and expect to give your best to your clients, builders, business, family - or yourself.
Whatever self-care looks like for you, put it on the calendar. Protect that time just as fiercely as you would an appointment with your most important client.
Because it is.
3. Communication is everything.
Communicate early. Communicate often. Communicate clearly.
Never assume everyone understands what you understand. Explain it. Then explain it again if necessary.
Clear communication prevents a remarkable number of problems.
4. “No” is a sentence unto itself.
It doesn't require an apology.
It doesn't always require an explanation.
There will always be another event, committee, project, opportunity, invitation or obligation. You cannot say yes to everything without eventually saying no to something that matters - including yourself.
Learn where your boundaries are and honor them.
And finally, after 30 years, perhaps one of the most important lessons has nothing to do with kitchens or baths:
No amount of worry will change tomorrow.
No amount of regret will change yesterday.
But a little gratitude can have a huge impact on today.
Every day is a gift. That's why it's called "the present".
Whether you've been in this industry for 30 years, a few years, or you're walking into your very first showroom - welcome.
You've chosen an incredible industry filled with creativity, innovation, opportunity and, most importantly, some truly wonderful people.
To everyone who has been part of my first three decades: thank you. 💜
Dreams come alive in the details.....
