Our Team

Valerie Garrett

Valerie Garrett

For Valerie, there is never an opportunity lost to make someone else’s day better, brighter or more beautiful.  Her design work is illustrative of that philosophy, exuding balance, harmony, graciousness and light, plus all the functionality a modern lifestyle requires.  Those same attributes inform Valerie’s must-haves in her client relationships, too.  The awards and accolades?  She’s humbled by them but also appreciative because they reinforce how hard she works to make her clients’ spaces oh-so special and perfectly in tune with their lives. A modern-day CEO with the gifts of a master juggler, Valerie keeps her business thriving, her clients content, her tradesmen on-point, her head filled with creative ideas and her heart filled with joy.

Design secret: Not settling for well done; every space should be “elevated” (that’s why our blog is entitled Elevate!)

Point of Pride: Four amazing, independent, compassionate daughters who live abundant and extraordinary lives.

Hidden talent: Finding the perfect shoe for any outfit; and amazing gift-giving

Contact Valerie

Awards + Accreditations + Philanthrophy

 

“Valerie Garrett’s designs are timeless and elegant, and her ability to blend both traditional and contemporary elements makes her one of the most sought out designers in our area.  Working with Valerie has been a wonderful experience and we are thrilled with the results she achieved.  Friends, family and guests are all amazed at the transformation of our home.” – The Rowlands

Michelle Garcia

Michelle Garcia

Associate Designer

Michelle combines her great eye for design, with creativity and the desire to see people living life in warm and welcoming homes. Growing up the daughter of a designer, Michelle honed those ideas, while also learning to value and embrace the belief that beauty is in the details.  At VGI, Michelle is in constant collaboration with Valerie on all the elements that pertain to the design of a home.  Her passion for the creative design process and the way a great collaboration leads to different ways of seeing things, and solving problems, makes her a great contributor to life at VGI. Michelle worked at VGI 4 years prior, handling social media and client relations and the team is glad to have her back in an expanded role. Her gracious and kind personality, matched with her “get it done” attitude, is appreciated. 

Michelle attended college in Sydney Australia, graduating with a Degree in Ministry, where she learned how to listen to people, what they’re saying and perhaps more importantly, what they’re not saying; A skill she applies everyday in work at VGI.

Savanna Thomas

Savanna Thomas

Seabrook Construction Principal + Designer

As VGI’s go-to person for all the highly technical and incredibly detailed essentials related to construction, Savanna provides the team with everything from elevations, to construction documents, to CAD/Chief Architect drawings. She does it all with an assured accuracy, which is further enhanced by her calm-in-the-face-of-a-storm demeanor and her kindness. With a belief that a space’s function and aesthetics play a vital role in overall well-being, she can never let good enough be enough for our clients.  

Savanna is also the principle of Seabrook Design Company, which provides virtual design services to industry professionals. She holds a degree in Interior Design with a focus in residential construction design.

Bethany Goss

Bethany Goss

Accounting

Heading up VGI’s financial operations with her acute and insightful business mind, Bethany is a highly regarded and greatly valued member of the team. Her full investment behind the scenes gives the designers an ability to reach their creative potential and fully serve VGI’s clients. Bethany has keen listening skills, which she couples with a passion for details, together they ensure that clients, vendors, and even delivery drivers, feel like they are cared for, heard, and completely appreciated.

Bethany received her  BA in Communications from Mercer University, her BBA in Accounting from Georgia College & State University, and is a Certified Public Accountant in the State of Georgia.

Alyssa DeBord

Alyssa DeBord

Marketing

Growing up in a Navy family, Alyssa hails from all around the country. In addition to being the one to have on your team for U.S. Trivia competitions, she’s also the one VGI has on their team for her marketing talents. Those talents run deep and wide because of Alyssa’s greatly appreciated ability to create compelling social media posts at her desk or on the fly, and equally appreciated artful eye, which allows her marketing magic to take flight.  Alyssa is VGI’s social media guru, and she loves using it to bring beauty into people’s worlds.

Alyssa has a Bachelor of Science degree. 

Sally Backus

Sally Backus

Expeditor

With an astute business sense that she refined over years owning her own retail businesses, Sally provides VGI with the operational efficiency and project management prowess the team gives to every project, for every client.  Whether it is expediting client orders, overseeing project installation details, or juggling schedules, Sally is the one to seek out when you want it done quickly, wisely, and with our only-the-best mindset.  Her humility is respected by all, yet makes it nearly impossible for Sally to extol her own talents, so we will: she plays the tenor guitar wonderfully, and her beautiful singing voice has been featured on albums. 

Sally holds a Bachelors of Science degree.