Rebecca Cartwright
Rebecca Cartwright has been designing fresh spaces in private residences and businesses since 1995. Her expertise extends from a multitude of new home construction, commercial interiors and major remodeling projects. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with some of Des Moines’ elite builders, developers, and their clients.
Her most notable achievements include interior design for the Suites of 800 Locust Hotel and Spa boutique hotel located in downtown Des Moines, Iowa. In 2002, her work in the Des Moines Symphony Showhouse was featured in the Better Homes and Gardens special interest publication DECORATING magazine. The gentleman’s study was also featured on HGTV’s “Country Decorating” show. Other projects of note include offices for Kirke Financial in West Glen and MOJO’s Restaurant in Johnston. Rebecca is a graduate of Drake University and lives in the Prairie Trail Development in Ankeny with her husband, Pete.
Alicia Held-Morris
Alicia Held-Morris joined the R. Cartwright Design team in 2012. She holds a Master’s Degree in Interior Design from Iowa State University.
Before returning to Iowa to complete her education in interior design, Alicia lived in Tucson, Arizona and New York City, studying art photography at the University of Arizona and Pratt Institute. During that time, she also completed studies in drawing, sculpture, color theory, art history, and graphic design. New York offered exposure to numerous museums, art galleries, antique stores, and design shops, providing an informal education in art and interior design history, design trends and concepts, and the world of luxury interiors. Additional travels throughout Europe – and many afternoons spent in castles and art museums – provided further education in world interiors and design history.
Alicia has a passion for the constantly evolving world of interior design, analyzing and applying current design trends and incorporating them into her work while striving to create interiors that are timeless in style. Her attention to detail and obsession with fine-tuning elements that make good design – color, texture, balance, repetition, contrast, harmony and unity – make her a strong partner in the design process. She loves collaborating with clients to create elegant, thoughtful interiors that are also comfortable, practical and beautiful.
Jillian Lare
Jillian Lare joined the R. Cartwright Design team in 2015. Originally from North-Eastern Pennsylvania, she obtained her Bachelors of Science in Industrial Engineering from Lehigh University in 1997. She spent her early career in the semiconductor industry and was fortunate to spend time living in Albuquerque, Phoenix, Portland, and San Francisco.
Passionate about the arts and design her entire life, Jillian transitioned into the interior design field from engineering in 2007, eventually obtaining her Masters in Interior Design from Iowa State University. She teaches two days per week in the College of Design at Iowa Sate University, instructing freshmen on fundamentals of design and sophomore and junior students in the CIDA accredited Interior Design Program. She is most passionate about kitchen and bathroom design and has focused much of her experience in that niche. She believes in partnering with clients to develop personal spaces that work for their individual lifestyle.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband Keegan, dogs Eddie and Booker, blogging, making jewelry and enjoying the beautiful trails in the Des Moines area.
