Meet the Faculty
| Barbara Bell |
| Barbara Bell is the founder and owner of Barbara Bell Interiors and has been designing residential and commercial interiors in the Westchester County, New York City, and the tri-state area for more than 25 years designing a variety of high-end interiors, historical properties, restorations, and model rooms. Established in 1982, Barbara Bell Interiors offers full-service interior design services, including space planning, lighting, bath and kitchen design, as well as construction, furniture, and cabinetry services. |
| Esther Dederichs |
| Esther Dederichs moved to the U.S. in her early twenties looking for adventure and found it in the world of interior design. Her 15 years of experience in interior design and project management include corporate, retail, and medical interiors. She is an NCIDQ-certified interior designer and has been a LEED-accredited professional since 2006. In addition to her BS in interior design, Esther received an AAS in civil technology. |
| Leah Ervi |
 Before starting her own company, LEAH ERVI DESIGN, Ltd., she designed for distinguished residential and commercial clients with world class Architecture and design firms in New York, such as Rockwell Group, EKDNY Architecture, Meyer Davis Studios, and Aero Studios.Leah has designed internationally throughout Europe, Asia, and Scandinavia. Leah holds a Masters Degree in Interior Architecture from Pratt Institute, Certificate in Construction Management from Pace University, IIDA Member. |
| Robert A. Fendler |
| Robert A. Fendler, Assoc. AIA, is an accomplished AutoCad instructor with more than 26 years of experience teaching college students and architectural professionals in the use and application of the leading computer-aided drafting program. His skills range from generating basic CADD drawings through complex 3-D presentation renderings. Having spent 28 years in the architectural field producing construction documents and providing project management, he is now a facilities planning manager for an international corporation. |
| Emilia Ferri |
 Emilia Ferri is the principal of Emilia Ferri Architecture + Design, www.emiliaferridesign.com. She received a Master of Science in architecture and urban design from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Architecture from Syracuse University. She is licensed in N.Y. and Conn., certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Board, and is LEED-accredited. As an adjunct faculty member, Emilia has previously taught architecture design studios and graphic courses, as well as architecture registration exam courses.
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| Nairn Friemann |
 Nairn Friemann holds a BA, an MBA, and certification in floral design from the New York Botanical Garden, in addition to the CSP® designation. Named “Professional Stager of the Year” by the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA), she has staged more than $500 million in real estate and has been featured on television and in numerous newspapers and magazines.
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| George Gaspar |
| George Gaspar, an architect with Grandberg and Associates in Mt. Kisco, has been a registered architect in New York since 1993. Currently president of the American Institute of Architects’ Westchester and Hudson Valley Chapter, he has varied professional experience in residential, custom, and production homebuilding, and architecture (from commercial to hospitality), developing both restaurant and nightclub environments. Gaspar is associated with Habitat for Humanity Putnam County, designing new residences and renovating homes for families in need. |
| Denise Zottola Gianna |
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Denise Zottola Gianna is the owner of DeniseGiannaDesigns, a boutique interior design studio specializing in residential interiors, custom windows and upholstery, green design by reuse, recycling, and creative re-imagination in Beacon, N.Y. Denise has an MS in business administration from the New School University and a BA in psychology from Pace University. She earned her certificate in interior design at Purchase College. |
| Jacqueline Hosford |
| Jacqueline Hosford has more than 20 years experience in interior design and high-end residential construction project management, as well as a rich professional background in theatre and dance. As principal of her eponymous design studio, www.Jacquelinehosforddesign.com, she takes on both residential and contract projects. An NCIDQ-certified professional member of ASID, Jacqueline received a BA from Barnard College and an AAS with high honors from the NY School of Interior Design. |
| Penny Howell |
| Penny Howell grew up in Wales and came to New York as a production assistant on the Broadway show Equus. While working on that show, she studied at the Studio & Forum of Stage Design and designed costumes for numerous dance companies and Off-Broadway shows. After moving to Westchester in 1997, she opened her drapery workroom and now creates window treatments for several interior designers and for private clients. |
| Carol J.W. Kurth |
| Carol J.W. Kurth, FAIA, is an architect and allied member of ASID, a LEED AP, and principal of the award-winning firm Carol Kurth Architecture PC | Carol Kurth Interiors Ltd. She is a cum laude graduate and former faculty member of the Spitzer School of Architecture, City University of New York. Prominently featured in such publications as The New York Times, Luxe Magazine, and This Old House, her projects have been widely acclaimed and exhibited internationally. |
| Lisa McTernan |
| Lisa McTernan, a professional in the interior design industry for more than 20 years, is the owner of Lifestyles & Interiors by Lisa, a “Best Of Westchester” retail store and design studio that manages projects including renovations, additions, and all aspects of interior design. She has participated in multiple designer showhouses, including the Madam C.J. Walker House, for which she was featured on HGTV. |
| Dennis Noskin |
| Dennis Noskin is founder and principal of an architectural / interior design firm specializing in a wide variety of diverse building types. He is licensed in 16 states, certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Board (NCARB), and is a LEED-accredited professional (USGBC). Noskin has taught as an adjunct faculty member at Marymount College and served in several offices, including president of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Westchester / Hudson Valley Chapter. |
| Elizabeth Scheuer |
| Elizabeth Scheuer is a recent graduate of the MA program in the history of decorative arts and design at Cooper-Hewitt/Parsons New School University. Her MA exams focused on 19th-century English silver and 18th-century French furniture. She also studied decorative arts at Sothebys/London and at the V&A/Royal College of Art. She graduated from Swarthmore College and has advanced degrees from University College London (MA) and Columbia University Law School (JD). |
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Caroline Walker |
 Caroline Walker, a communications and public speaking professional, worked in press and communications fields for decades at industry leaders including CNN, AOL in the early years and Simon & Schuster. She also worked for the U.S. Senate, World Wildlife Fund and Columbia University. In recent years, Caroline has consulted for McKinsey, Accenture, the Better Business Bureau as well as for other companies and individuals. Caroline does public speaking and media training.
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