Meet Shelly Rosenberg | Inclusive Interior Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shelly Rosenberg and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shelly, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I am an interior designer, but I am also a mother of three cool kids that all struggle with various learning differences and disabilities. Advocating for them is what drew me into my current specialization: coaching similar families that need extra help to make their home as supportive as it can be. I also consult other designers on how to guide their aging or disabled clients. This new path has brought a much deeper meaning to my work. Narrowing my scope to the client base that inspires me most has made all the difference and I am so happy every day serving them. Acorn & Oak is my passion project and I excited to see it growing, slow and steady. There’s no hurry for me as long as I am helping to heal.

What should our readers know about your business?
I created Acorn & Oak because I could see a need… families raising children with disabilities are stretched thin and are often unable to focus on their own home environments. Their lives were full of stress and I realized that I could use my expertise to relieve much of that stress. I focus on simplifying information on healthy homes, nontoxic living and sensory solutions to calm everyone’s nervous system and bring peace. I am still raising a young son living with Down Syndrome, so working isn’t always easy. But, I’ve learned that if you are truly passionate about something, you’ll find the time to do it. When I feel frustrated, I start making a gratitude list. You cannot stay frustrated while you are giving thanks. I also keep a little file of my “wins” to review in case I start to feel self-critical or like I’m not doing “enough.”

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Dallas is such a fun city with amazing shopping. I would definitely start with a tour of our re-vamped downtown area and a stop at the original Neiman Marcus for lunch and shoes! The Dallas Museum of Art or the Nasher Sculpture Center is a must as well. Then we would head to Highland Park Village for afternoon boutiquing and cocktails at Bistro 31 or Cafe Pacific. after drinks, we’ll want the best TexMex at MiCocina. After that whirlwind, the next few days we would relax with a stroll through the gardens of the Dallas Arboretum, a walk around White Rock Lake and treasure hunting in Bishop Arts!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Raising three children with challenges is not easy. There have been many times I felt terrified and ill equipped. Every time, someone showed up to guide me and to show me the way. The success my kids experience now- and the confidence I have to counsel others- has so much to do with the special schools we had access to: The Shelton School of Dallas and The Ashford Rise School are both heaven-sent. The taught us how to embrace differences and advocate for our specific needs in a humble, yet productive way.

Website: www.acornandoak.com

Instagram: @shellyrosenberg

Linkedin: Shelly Rosenberg

Twitter: @shellyacornoak

Facebook: Shelly Mabry Rosenberg

Other: @acornandoakbyshellyrosenberg

Image Credits
Rachel Heacox Korena Sinnett