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Bio
Who is the real Kelly
M. Bedsole?
Kelly M. Bedsole, ASID
Kelly was one of the rare few that actually knew what career path she desired before starting college. She received a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Interior Design from the American College in Atlanta, GA. After spending a few years in Ashville, NC as a kitchen designer she moved to the beautiful Emerald Coast in 1996 and joined the design team at Lovelace Interiors. During her time there, she passed the NCIDQ, joined the professional membership of ASID and was awarded Designer of the Year in 1998.
After having her only son, Harrison Douglas, in 2001, she decided to start her own design business. Porter-Smith Designs Inc. is a small design studio conveniently located in the heart of Destin, Fl. Fortunately for Kelly, her business is primarily referrals and repeat clients. She credits this to the lasting relationships she develops during the creative process of each project. The opportunity to create beautiful interior design throughout the Southeast and as far north as Washington, DC and west to Beaver Creek, CO are testament to Kelly’s talent and a showcase of her adaptability for each project and clients desires.
When Kelly is not working she enjoys family time, friends, cooking, paddle boarding, bicycling, snow skiing, hiking, traveling …and always a wonderful glass of wine!
 The
Story of Susan Porter, the DCWAF and Sue Sue’s Cottage
When Susan Porter found out she was terminally ill, she decided to
help others; to do something great that would live on. She had been
diagnosed with terminal breast cancer before viewing a presentation
about the proposed Children in Crisis Neighborhood. She knew that
the concept was to offer local foster children a place to stay with
their siblings until a more permanent home could be prepared and
that's all she needed to know. Susan and Doug made a donation to
help purchase a home in her name within the future neighborhood.
Susan, or "Sue Sue" as she was affectionately known to loved ones,
was able to forget about her pain for a moment and imagine the pain
of devastated children.
Thanks to the Porter’s donation, coupled with the support from the
Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation, we celebrate the grand
opening of Sue Sue’s Cottage today. The Destin Charity Wine Auction
Foundation, whose sole purpose is to raise money for children in
need through wine events has raised nearly $3,000,000 in just four
short years and has impacted the lives of countless needy children
along the Emerald Coast, hosted dozens of world-class wine and
culinary celebrities, and become one of the fastest growing and most
talked about wine charity foundations in the nation. Thanks for your
generous support...together we can make a difference.
In loving memory
of Susan Porter July 18,1948—June 28, 2005
One of the wonderful memories that my siblings and I share was
arriving from school to be greeted by our sweet mother "Sue Sue."
She always listened to all of the details of our school day. Her
kind, non-judgmental spirit always encouraged us to try to make our
own decisions. She never preached but led by example.
I was at Sue Sue's Cottage last week when all seven kids came home
from school. Tammy and Jeff greeted them and encouraged them to
share their school day. Just as I remember mom doing. That’s what
this is all about! Creating a loving safe environment for the kids
of our community.
Mom always lived in the moment! She lived each day to the fullest
enjoying her art, reading, gardening, family and friends. My father
often reflects on his memories of mom and says, " She’s the only
person he has ever known to live her life like a true Buddhist." She
was always in NOW! If she could only see The Children's Neighborhood
NOW!
WOW! What a journey this has been since the beginning concept of the
neighborhood. The amount of love and dedication the staff and
volunteers have devoted to this project is incomprehensible! Thanks
to all of you and what you have created for the children of our
community. "Our Children and Our Future"
Thank you sweet Sue Sue for your loving kind spirit that will
continue to change the lives of the many children that walk thru the
doors of Sue Sue Cottage. —Kelly Porter Smith
Area Designers Help
Furnish the CIC Childrens Neighborhood!
Thanks to great
community support, the CIC Childrens Neighborhood is taking shape!
Area interior designers have pitched in to help furnish the two
homes that are nearing completion. The emergency shelter for abused,
neglected and abandoned children and the first foster home will open
soon and the entire community will be invited to the Neighborhood
site for a House Warming and Ribbon Cutting on Sunday, December 9,
2007, 2:00 pm.
Ken Hair, Executive Director, Children in Crisis, commented ”I am
truly amazed and very thankful for the great support from our
community. The wonderful commitment from area interior designers and
businesses has played a vital role in our progress. Just a few of
the business that have helped us with the design, decor and
furnishings of the first two homes are; Porter-Smith Designs, Inc.,
Infinity Flooring, Destin Lighting, Sugar Beach Interiors, Interior
Detailers Inc., Shaw Industries, Dal-Tile, United Lighting and
Supply Co., Cabinet Source, G & L Marble, Florida Bath & Surfaces,
Gulf South Distributors, Americasmart, Palm Paper & Supply, W Design
and Planning Group, Arts TV and Appliance, Independent Flooring,
Lafayette Interior Fashions, Corporate Design Systems, Leigh Wright
Interior Design, Inc. and many more. What a true community effort!”.
Sharilyn Darnell, Past President of the CIC Board of Directors, came
up with the idea of involving the design experts of our community
and called on Kelly Porter-Smith of Porter-Smith Designs. Kelly
formed the committee of designers who are also dedicated to helping
with CIC’s vision of providing homes and establishing hope to the
children in crisis of our community.
Mack Gay, President of the CIC Board of Directors pointed out, “The
Children’s Neighborhood and all we’re doing for the children of our
community wouldn’t have been possible without the complete support
of our area businesses! From the very start, we’ve had help with the
site preparation, infrastructure and construction. We are truly
blessed by their efforts!”
Pictured in Photo: Brittney Welsh, Sugar Beach Interiors Inc., Robin
Lowrey, Sugar Beach Interiors, Inc., Kathy Fyock, Destin Lighting,
Glenda King, Interior Detailers Inc., Leisa Johnson, Infinity
Flooring, Ashley Vogt, Corporate Design Systems, Mike King, Interior
Detailers, Inc., Kelly Porter-Smith, Porter-Smith Designs, Inc.
Leigh Wright, Leigh Wright Interior Design, Inc
Cottages for Kids
2009
CVHN Cottages for Kids is a unique fundraising event that benefits
Children’s Volunteer Health Network, Inc., a faith based, 501(c) 3
non-profit organization that seeks to enhance the lives of uninsured
and underinsured children by facilitating free immediate access to
medical, dental and mental health care.
With tremendous imagination and craftsmanship, builder’s and
architects come together to create, construct and decorate whimsical
cottages that look like they have popped out from the pages of a
fairytale to modern creations brimming with creativity.
The Crooked Cottage, pictured below, was a collaborated effort by
Thurber Architects who created the original design concept and
structural plans, Regal Stephens who supplied materials, labor, time
and knowledge to construct it and Porter-Smith Designs who completed
the interior design and finishes, as well as the many friends,
family and associates who donated time, expertise and materials for
this fun and exciting project.
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