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By Sandra Baer, Contributing Writer 5:19 PM Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Bret Baden of Centerville has a passion for design that goes all the way back to his younger years when he watched his aunt make floral creations.

He not only learned the basics of design from her, but he also found he had a natural gift and understanding of proportion, continuity and balance that made his floral designs, crafts and arrangements sought after items at local craft fairs.

“I would make $1,500 in a weekend and sell out the first day by noon,” said Baden, who earned money during the winter selling his handmade items — like wreaths and centerpieces — at bazaars and craft shows.

He supplemented his earnings during the summer by making and selling flower boxes from his family’s driveway at their home in Lancaster.

“I was always creative. I’d start decorating the house outside with lights as soon as I could after Halloween,” he said. “I’d hang string after string of lights. There was a park across the street, and people from town would park there to look at the lights on our house.”

Baden graduated from Lancaster High School in 1999 and began taking courses at a private Christian college in Tennessee. He left college after his first term to return home to help his mother care for his father, who had been diagnosed with cancer. He began working full time while taking classes at Columbus State until a move in 2001 brought him to Englewood where he started designing interiors for special requests.

“My reputation began to grow and news of my work spread by word of mouth,” said Baden, who started a 1½-year internship at Centerville Design Associates in 2005.

“My passion is creating the perfect ambience for my clients, whether it’s for an event or designing for a home or business.”

Baden also worked as an interior designer for the Ethan Allen furniture store in Washington Twp. before starting his own business, Design.Agenda Online, which can be accessed at www.bretbaden.com, or by calling (937) 260-7460.

“I make the design process more affordable by having an online option for clients who want to save money by measuring their own design spaces and then send me the measurements along with photos of the space and a lifestyle questionnaire located on my Web site,” he said.

“I can buy furniture and decorative items online at discounted prices, and I also make and assemble art for display in the homes and businesses of my clients,” Baden said. “I am also available for clients who want me to work with them onsite in their homes.”

In addition to interior designs, Baden also designs furniture that is made from original salvaged architectural pieces and creates 3-D presentations for real estate agents that show a virtual staged home, so potential home buyers can visualize a home with different furniture and décor.

Baden also is seeking hosts for his Home Design Parties that feature elegant home décor at bargain prices and expert solutions for decorating problems. One of Baden’s holiday commercial design projects can be seen at Trio’s, a Washington Twp. hair salon located at 677 Lyons Road.

Contact this columnist at (937) 432-9054 or jjbaer@aol.com.

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