I am Rosemary Porto, an interior designer. I was inducted into the New England Design Hall of Fame in 2014. In addition, I received the ASID Design Excellence award in March 2017. One of the integral aspects of my success is the relationship I have in the design community. One of my most cherished relationships is with Dawn Carroll.

I have worked with Dawn Carroll for over 16 years. In fact, I have followed her to each of the three companies she has worked at. As a stone professional, she educates me on aspects of each stone selected. With her mentoring, I’m then more able to share this important information with my clients to help them with their final selections. I design high-end kitchens for Poggenpohl, and I depend on trade professionals to help me do my job the best I can for my clients. When it comes to stone, Dawn is the stone industry expert in New England.

Dawn Carroll is widely considered the most collaborative stone professional within the design community. Dawn evaluates all my design plans in regard to the stone fabrication. She offers the highest level of detail and dedication. When necessary Dawn will take the initiative to meet with my clients so she can personally walk them through their stone selection. She becomes ingrained in my whole project and makes it a top priority. She has developed great relationships with leading architects, builders and interior designers in our design community. She successfully has situated herself with the best stone fabricator in New England, Cumar Marble, and Granite, Inc.

Dawn is a visionary and strategic thinker. After hearing my vision for the space, Dawn will come up with interesting exotic stones that I may not have known about. She explains the detail involved in what I’m asking for and she will let me know what impact the stone will have on cabinetry choices and installation.

Dawn also makes it a point to take a leadership role in the stone industry as a member of ASID and IFDA. She’s led and sponsored events for these professional communities during her career. She is a mentor to design professionals by teaching us about the practicality of our choices and what the stone can and cannot do in terms of design. She guides us toward making the right stone-design decisions. Even in her company, she is a mentor to every person who works with her. She never tries to take credit, she’s always looking for others to succeed by helping them achieve their goals.

As a mentor, Dawn founded a non-profit with Grammy award winner Patti Austin called the “Over My Shoulder Foundation,” which works to bring industry leaders together to promote mentoring and to “design the next generation” of the design community through art, music, and design. She has led several events for our industry, including an event at the Poggenpohl showroom on Newbury Street in Boston. She has interviewed students to connect them with successful and inspirational women such as American Idol semi-finalist, Ayla Brown. She organized an event “Designing the Next Generation: The Give and Take of Mentoring in Luxury Homes” moderated by interior designer and TV personality, Taniya Nayak, and Patti Austin.

Dawn is an exceptional pioneer in the stone industry and her mentoring efforts

Sincerely,

Rosemary Porto

Senior Designer, Poggenpohl, Boston