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Meet the Team

Nancy Wright - Sales Associate And Designer

Nancy Wright

Sales Associate and Designer

I started my window covering career in the early 80’s when all the rage was PVC Vertical blinds and 1” aluminum blinds. The industry has certainly changed from those earlier days. After a few years in the industry I went to work with an interior design company and went back to college to earn my interior design degree. I am the 200th designer in the state of Florida to become licensed Interior Designer.

After several demanding years in the Interior Design profession, my love for the window covering industry never faded. In 1999, I started work at In the Shade and now with over 20 years loyalty, our team has grown. The window covering industry has grown into more than just a simple thought process. We are educating our clients in every aspect of the design element in window coverings.

I am proud to be a part of the In the Shade team and could not imagine working anywhere else. 

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Erika Maya

Sales Associate and Designer

Erika is originally from Northeast Florida. She dedicated and utilized her Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management Degree for 15 years in the Wedding Industry by creatively designing, planning, and lovingly guiding brides. During the holiday season, Erika continues to travel to North Florida to design and install high end Christmas decor for her established clientele. 

In 2019, exploring new chapters and transitions, encouraged Erika to strive for an Interior Design Degree and move to the Treasure Coast. In The Shade, warmly welcomed her to the team. With an eye for color, technical details, and stylish design, Erika has blossomed into one of the top designers.

Jan Dean - Owner And Designer

Jan Dean

Owner and Designer

I graduated from the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale in 1982 with a degree in Interior Design. I did my apprenticeship with an architect firm while in school but upon graduation I married and started a family.

With the demands of raising a child I started working in the window covering industry as a Sales Rep for Shades Unlimited, Inc., a wholesale manufacturer.  My territory was from Vero Beach to Miami. I called on design firms and realized my passion in this industry was more than a job, I grew to love all aspects of window coverings and its diversity. I loved educating the designers so much that the idea of owning my own business just seemed to be the next step. So it began, I opened In the Shade in 1987 here in Stuart to start my specialization in window coverings. I joined the leader in the window covering industry with over 700 dealers in the U.S.A in 2002 to become a Hunter Douglas Gallery store. In the Shade is independently owned and operated but has an alliance with Hunter Douglas and features all the latest in window coverings and promotes the advancement of motorization in the industry.

The growth of In the Shade has been a team effort. Dreams of owning my own business along with a desire to grow within a community, raise a family, and create happy customers is what I envisioned for In the Shade. I believe In the Shade has accomplished this and will continue for many years to come.

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Sandi Switzer

Showroom Liaison

I started in the design business in Michigan 35+ years ago. I moved to Florida 25 years ago and continued my career in the window covering industry. I started working at In the Shade in 2009 and during my tenure, I have seen a lot of changes in window treatments. There are many shade products offered with price ranges to suit any budget and with the advancement of motorization it has become so effortless to operate your shades.

Now that I am semi-retired and work part time, In the Shade has allowed me to help those visiting the showroom take a tour and learn all the options available to them and their individual needs.

My favorite part of being semi-retired is the time I am able to spend with my grandson. He is the absolute joy in my life.

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Chelsea Hunter

Sales Associate and Designer

Originally from New England, Chelsea began her career in the Kitchen and Bath industry before receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design from High Point University in High Point, North Carolina. Before joining the In The Shade family, Chelsea lived in the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC and worked for Bassett Furniture. There she was a designer, helped open new corporate stores, trained designers and headed up service projects for wounded veterans. 

Chelsea’s approach to design follows both form and function. Her attention to detail goes beyond “just” the fabric selections as she delves deep into the smallest of features within each custom design project, making sure no stone is left unturned. Her creative eye also comes in handy with tricky design scenarios where you may not know just what to do with what you’ve got. 

 From traditional to transitional to contemporary and anything in between, Chelsea has a knack for creating a timeless, effortless look that her clients can enjoy for years to come.

In her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband, toddler-age son and husky mix. They enjoy traveling the US and checking places off their bucket list, going to music festivals and CrossFit. She’s also been known to dabble in home projects and DIY projects around their house when she’s not busy decorating friends’ homes.

Diane Papadimitropoulou - Showroom/Jobs Coordinator

Diane Papadimitropoulou

Showroom/Jobs Coordinator

Diane came to the USA from Greece in 1980. She finished at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York in 1981. She worked on designing, sketching, pattern making, and sewing techniques. She worked for 25 years in the fur industry as a Designer and Furrier. For 10 years she worked with fabrics and designs for homes. Her hobbies include painting landscapes and nature and cooking Greek food and more for her family and friends.

Birgit Hefler - Showroom Logistics Coordinator

Birgit Hefler

Showroom Logistics Coordinator

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