Sterling Design Group, LLC is a full service Interior Design firm with a studio located in Warrenton, Virginia.

Our Design Process begins with a thorough inventory of client likes, dislikes, lifestyle, interests and hobbies.  Every attempt is made to interpret the client’s wishes and style into the design.  Children and pets are given detailed consideration.  Whether new construction, renovation or decoration, each project receives a fresh design solution.  Architectural design, lighting, cabinetry, colors, fabrics and textures are all combined to form a rich tapestry of visual interest.  Equally important, comfort, proper traffic flow, durability and maintenance of finishes and furnishings are well thought out.  Most clients feel that they saved time, money by not investing in costly mistakes, and enjoyed the collaborative design process. 

A Professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers, (ASID) Suzy Watkins is the principal of Sterling Design Group and has been practicing Interior Design since 1985. A Summa cum laude graduate of the University of Delaware, Ms. Watkins received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Interior Design in 1984. While a student there, she studied at the Henry Francis DuPont Winterthur Museum under the tutelage of the museums curators. She was one of two students selected for the University of Delaware visiting student program, and thereby had the opportunity to study at two prestigious New York design schools: Parson’s School of Design and the Fashion Institute of Technology. After completion of her senior year studies, Ms. Watkins elected to spend an additional year at the Fashion Institute of Technology studying with some of the nations leading practitioners and instructors of design, and received a second degree from FIT in 1985.

Twelve years of experience in commercial and hospitality design followed in Jacksonville, Florida, and Atlanta, Georgia. Working for large firms under the apprenticeship of experienced designers allowed invaluable on the job learning experiences.

Since relocating to Virginia in 1997, Ms. Watkins has completed numerous projects, including Lake Manassas Sales Office in Gainesville, Virginia, and the clubhouse for the Stonewall Golf Club, completed December, 2001 in Gainesville, Virginia. In 2004 Ms. Watkins was a key participant in the design/build process for the Law Office Building of the Calloway Companies located in Atlanta, Georgia. In 2005 Ms. Watkins was instrumental in the completion of 2 golf cottages at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in time for the President’s Cup Golf Tournament. This project required intense coordination with sub-contractors in order to complete the project on time and on budget with an accelerated schedule. Recently completed projects include new offices for Keel Point Investment Advisors in Tyson’s Corner, Virginia, which again required close attention to detail due to a very tight construction time frame, a residence in McLean, Virginia, ongoing projects at North Cliff Farm in Rixeyville, VA, and many ongoing residential clients in the Northern Virginia areas of Vienna, Great Falls, Fairfax, Gainesville and Haymarket as well as many clients in Fauquier County.

In addition to meticulous attention to detail, commitment to customer service and ability to listen to her clients, and work within their budgets and expectations, Ms. Watkins has been complimented on many occasions for her diplomacy and professionalism when dealing with vendors and sub-contractors. She brings experience, expertise and project management skills to each job.

Ms. Watkins passed the NCIDQ exam in 1988, which qualifies her for Professional status in the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). She is also a licensed Interior Designer in the State of Georgia meeting all qualifications established by the Board of Architects for knowledge of code, ADA regulations and life safety issues.