About

​The Academy was established in 2002. Director Kimberly Merritt shares her more than 20 years of design experience and 15+ years of instructional experience with her students. You will learn design principles, placement techniques, and creative solutions that you can apply again and again when decorating, redesigning, or staging a home. She is the creator of the Certified Decorating Professional® programs taught in NH, CA, and CT.
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Kimberly Merritt
Director
Kim is a writer, instructor, and stylist, whose words and work have been featured in New Hampshire Magazine, New England Home Magazine, HGTV, Disney Family, SheKnows.com, and elsewhere on the web. She shares her more than 25 years of design experience with her students in her New Hampshire design studio and has taught hundreds of people from around the world. Kim has spoken at a variety of organizations including, WCAA, ADE, IRIS, IDS, and the Monadnock Writers' Group. 

A writer at heart, she captures everyday moments on her personal blog, Beautiful Living. You can find out more about Kim's writing on her website Kimberly-Merritt.com.
Ann Anderson
Instructor
Ann is a decorator, home stager, professional speaker, and educator, offering seminars and workshops through her Connecticut school, as well as through distance learning programs and classes.

As owner of a decorating firm, Ann specializes in working with her clients' own things to give them the home of their dreams. As an educator, she has combined her twenty years’ experience as a trainer and professional speaker with her skills as a decorator to offer workshops and seminars on decorating, redesign, staging, and business. Her work has been featured throughout the region in print media and television. She is an Education Affiliate with the Association of Design Education, as well as a member of Interior Design Society.
Tanya Griffin
Instructor
After a decade working with designers and architects all over Southern California, Tanya launched her own design studio  in 2007. Tanya believes good design is not just for the well lived, but for the everyday person. She shows clients that design is a recipe of mixing classic and modern elements, layering luxurious fabrics while balancing color and texture, and always infusing a little of the unexpected. Tanya believes interior design should not be considered a luxury for the well-lived but for everyone looking to improve their lives by surrounding themselves with things that bring them joy.
 The Academy is recognized by these  design associations.
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When I researched certification training for this profession, I didn't care where I had to go, I wanted the most qualified instructor, the most in-depth program, and the most practical information I could get regarding starting my Interior Redesign/Staging/Interior Decorating business. I found it, in my home state of New Hampshire. I cannot recommend Kim as an instructor and mentor more highly. 
–J. Hosking-Cartland

Windham, NH