About Gloria
With 50+ years of experience, I am a creative, imaginative, and highly skilled seamstress, decorator, fabricator, and general contractor. Let me put my experience to work for you today ... you'll be glad you did!
Gloria
Owner of INTERIORS BY GLO, with 50+ years of experience and perfectionist, I am a tailor— designing and altering men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing and costumes; a seamstress, designing and fabricating all types of draperies, slipcovers, bedding, pillows, etc.; a thoughtful and creative interior designer/decorator, and an intuitive and problem-solving general contractor, managing all projects from the initial consultation through completion. I began honing my skills at a young age and enjoy taking on new challenges. My primary goal is to do all I can to make any customer’s unique design ideas a reality, and have fun doing it!
My Long-Awaited Dream Comes True - by Glo
My story as an interior designer / decorator begins with the support and love from my mother and father. At nine-years-old, my mom gave me a piece of fabric that inspired me to create my first project: a gold suede jacket with snaps. Recognizing my talent, my parents signed me up for sewing classes. During my first class, I designed a red, wool tailored suit with brass zippers. After seeing my work, the instructor stated that I could be teaching the class myself. Following her comment, I did not want to sew anymore. It seemed like my parents wasted their financial efforts on me, instead of spending it on something that was more beneficial for the family. Then one day, using her motherly instincts, my mom asked me for help with her sewing. Little did I know, she fooled me into thinking she needed help, only to get me back into doing what I love - sewing. Through her and my dad's love and support, I learned that anything is possible if you make the effort.
At twelve-years-old, I made my first wedding gown. In high school, I designed my own clothes, and a few friends became my first customers. For my grandparents’ 50th wedding anniversary, I made a man's tailored suit for my younger brother that included tailored pants, lined vest, and jacket; and a lace and satin gown for my mother, my younger sister, and myself.
When my children were young (late 1980's), I started earning money to support the household by doing tailoring, making costumes, tailored-fitting slipcovers, upholstery, window treatments, and other home decorating items for teachers and a theatre group in Woonsocket. Later, as customers began referring me to their family and friends, my hobby turned into a business where I had customers from Boston to Providence. This led me to opening my first sewing / interior decorating business in September 1999. Unfortunately, due to the sudden passing of my dad and life events, I closed the business on Dec 31, 1999 - promising myself that I would one day do it again.
I remember around the holidays in 1992, my dad was sick, and my mom was feeling really sad. To cheer her up, I took her shopping at the local fabric store and spent time with her making curtains for her entire house as a Christmas gift. I will never forget the endearing look in my mom’s eyes and the smile on her face as we hung up the curtains and I said, "Merry Christmas, Mom". I take her love with me on every job opportunity that comes my way and I've "adopted" many moms and grandmothers along the way. My creativity didn't end here.
In 2007, I took my creativity, design, and project management skills to a whole new level - I designed the architectural plan for our dream home and acted as the General Contractor .... an experience I truly enjoyed and will NEVER forget!! My husband, Dean, and I, together, managed the process from beginning to end - this involved working with the architect and engineers, City Officials, contractors, and banking representatives; and obtaining the appropriate building permits and inspection signoffs through obtaining the Certificate of Occupancy. Today, our home is still our "special place", and it continues to shine.
My hobbies also include landscape design; transforming an otherwise blank space into a beautiful and serene garden that attracts God's beautiful creatures - birds, butterflies, bumble bees, squirrels and chipmunks, and more. During the warmer months when flowers are in bloom, people stop, chat, and ask for a tour; I happily oblige and give free advice and ideas. With gardens surrounding me, our home has become our oasis .... a place we love to be that is peaceful, relaxing, and welcoming to all who come to visit. In the early morning, if you sit quietly, you can hear the squirrels and chipmunks talking to each other, a hummingbird comes to feed on the flowers, butterflies flutter around as they, too, feed on the flowers I've planted for them ... nature is more beautiful than most people realize.
Finally, on February 1, 2021, my ultimate dream came true - I once again opened an interior decorating business. Initially located at 275 Social Street, Woonsocket, RI, I soon realized that my expectation for walk-in customers was overestimated. In September, I relocated to my home and continue to offer the great products and services to my customers on a personal, one-on-one basis. With the collaboration of my colleague network, Interiors By Glo is able to offer a complete line of products and services to our customers. Visit the Our Partners page for more information.
Do you have a design idea that is difficult to articulate, or a project that seems too complicated or overwhelming to accomplish the end goal? CALL ME!! Together, we will brainstorm a solution and make your vision a reality.
While my business is built on this Motto: "If it can be stitched, I'll stitch it ... If it can be built, I'll build it", its' success depends on bringing high-quality products and services to my customers and ensuring 100% customer satisfaction. Without it, I would not exist.
Thank you for visiting Interiors By Glo; I look forward to working with you on your next project.
God Bless!
Gloria ("Glo")
