Carolyn P Shipp-Biography

Carolyn Perry Shipp of Fall Line Interior Design has been a professional member of The American Society of Interior Designers for more than 35 years with extensive interior design experience. Carolyn has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Interior Design from The University of Maryland with a European summer art and architecture study tour with University of Vienna. Following a prestigious apprenticeship with W & J Sloanes in Washington DC, Carolyn was hired by the Library of Congress to be the sole in-house interior designer for the new James Madison Memorial Building. This annex was designed by the Architects of the Capital to house library holdings and increase the space for the Library of Congress divisions and reading rooms. This project, an entire city block in size, honed the skills of large scale space planning and specification. Born and raised in Montgomery County Maryland and with her education and early training centering in Washington DC and surrounding states, Carolyn’s design development was diverse and internationally influenced.
Carolyn’s career was transported to Yazoo City, Mississippi when she married her husband Dan Shipp. Carolyn founded her design firm The Design Studio in the “Deep South” and they began their family with two sons, Perry and Clay. Her design projects evolved into the fascinating world of southern living with an design emphasis on antebellum plantations and Victorian homes. Restoring these glorious details fine tuned the skills of restoration and adaptive reuse. Through living and designing in the south, the art of creating that wonderful southern design and gracious living was learned.
After several vacations in Aspen, Dan and Carolyn found a strong love of the mountains. A decision was made to relocate to Aspen and Fall Line Interior Design was founded in 1985. A new style of design evolved from the mountain influenced architectural details and the use of natural materials. National and international clients brought their individual style and tastes to their projects and Carolyn developed the skill to follow the taste of each client.
Resort living brought new forms of design to Carolyn’s design office including second home and condominium design, some owner occupied and others placed on the rental market. Life style was more casual but also required a sophisticated taste. Design of these projects requires much attention to finishes and furnishings that hold up well to our intense sun, are used by athletic and active people and ready for social events. Rental properties require great care and attention to the budget and seasonal schedules require timely completion of projects. The amazing beauty of the surrounding area, the joys of horseback riding, skiing and hiking and the cultural stimulation of the arts all add to the synergy of each design project. With many years and many projects, Carolyn has formed strong relationships with reliable and talented sub contractors. Projects can be completed creatively, beautifully and timely.
The evolution of design techniques and skills has formed Carolyn into a very adaptive interior designer who loves the challenge of a new design style. Because of this, Fall Line Interior Design is not known for a particular “style”, thank goodness.
Carolyn’s range of skills include space planning, finishes specification, restoration of interior structures, adaptive redesign, kitchen and bath design, tile design, custom furniture design, selection and purchasing of interior furnishings, and color selection.