About Us

The Designer's Market Inc. officially started in the summer of 2007. It began by appointment only and has evolved into a large design center catering to the consumer and trade professional alike. Shop in our 12,000+ square foot facility or we will come to you for a shop at home experience

Our experienced and knowledgeable designers are ready to provide you with professional assistance in selecting not only the most stylish but the most appropriate flooring, wall and window covering or cabinetry for your particular application. No project is ever too large or too small for us to lend our expertise.

We can help bridge the gap between you and your builder or remodeling contractor. Acting as your ally, our assistance will ensure that your project will be everything you hoped for and more. We also have a network of reputable contractors to share with you should you need assistance in that area.

Susan San Souci

Susan San Souci is an ASID practitioner of design and owner of The Designer’s Market, Inc. Having first visited the Highlands/Cashiers area in 1997, she and her husband Jim made the decision to purchase a vacation home in the area in 2001, and by 2009, they became full-time residents. Once here, it wasn’t long before Susan began to realize her aspirations to leave the successful career she had cultivated in the corporate world to fill an untapped niche in the local market. That dream became a reality in 2007 when she opened a referral based, by appointment only design business.
Since the company’s early beginnings, The Designer’s Market has evolved into the area’s largest design center, catering to remodels and new construction of both residential and commercial spaces. The 12,000sq ft design facility features mid to high end wall coverings, floor coverings, fabrics, draperies, paint, area rugs and cabinetry to meet every need and every budget.
Susan and her team of hand-picked professionals are committed to providing each client and showroom visitor with the utmost care and attention. Listening, building relationships, supporting clients through the design phase and on through the construction process is what we do. The end result: transforming ideas into a beautiful reality that our clients can take pleasure in for years to come.

Skylar Lanson

Skylar Lanson joined the Designer’s Market in 2016 and quickly found his place as an essential member of the family.
Skylar grew up working alongside his father in the family’s construction business. He had a natural propensity for the detailed work; framing, laying hardwood floors, decking, and finished trim work. Skylar brings the strength of precision to his installation projects. Having that educated eye for specificity is key when installing window coverings, drapery and cabinetry.
Skylar is also a certified race car driving instructor on a team in Charlotte, NC. In his spare time he enjoys fishing, kayaking and spending quality time with his 3 children.

Matthew Sarvis

Matthew Sarvis is our very knowledgeable and experienced installer of drapery, window coverings and cabinetry. With the Designer’s Market since 2013, Matt received his certification in Hunter Douglas Window Coverings which lead him to his current designation as Certified Master Shutter Installer.
Growing up surrounded by tradesmen and working for many years in the service industry has helped Matt become the accomplished individual he is today. His relaxed, intrinsic manner also makes him the perfect liaison for our clients. When not at work, Matt enjoys fishing, hunting, riding dirt bikes and spending time with his wife and daughter at their home in Franklin, NC.

Rusty Rollins

Rusty Rollins joined the Designer’s Market in 2017. His background in business, as well as retail and customer service, make him a multitalented addition to the design team. Graced with an ever positive attitude, broad knowledge of interior products, and a flair for logistics, he is an invaluable member of the DM family.
Born and raised in Transylvania County, Rusty left his roots for the big city lights of Charlotte. But after 10 short years, he returned home to raise his son Tyler, now 9 years old. Together they enjoy the outdoor life that only the mountains of western NC can provide; fishing, hiking, camping and most recently, hunting as a pure food source rather than for sport. Oh, and in his ‘spare’ time, Rusty supports son Tyler in travel baseball.

Laura Paap

Laura Paap first joined the Designer’s Market in 2011 after graduating from Western Carolina University, where she received a degree in Interior Design and a minor in Art.
Laura prides herself in her ability to communicate and listen to each client’s wants and needs to find the right solution for every project. Her favorite aspects of design are color and texture, so it is no surprise that she is often found pulling samples in our extensive fabric library.
After five years with The Designer’s Market, Laura moved to Charlotte with her fiancé Blair. In April of 2019 Laura and Blair were given the opportunity to return to the mountains, at which time Laura immediately rejoined the team at The Designer’s Market.
These days you can still find her in the fabric library, as well as contributing to multiteam based projects, selecting finishes throughout the home.

Carrie Wilson

Carrie moved to western North Carolina in May 2018 from a small town in Indiana. Her background in business operations and customer service coupled with her experience in a variety of industries allows us to add another layer to our dynamic team. Her passion for operations is fueled by her love of organization. Believing when consistent and efficient systems are in place, teams are not only better able to serve customers’ needs, but each other for a more positive team culture.
Carrie grew up on a farm in a small town. She was a 10 year 4-H member, has traveled the country showing her dogs for the last 20 years, and rode horses on the trails of southern Indiana. It’s no wonder this country girl fell in love with the mountain life and decided to call western North Carolina home.

Tony Weikle

A native of August Georgia, Tony’s family relocated to Transylvania County where he grew up and lived most of his adult life.
Tony built his career in management/sales. His experience maintaining productive operations coupled with excellent organization skills and customer service afford him an opportunity to collaborate on a daily basis with designers, vendors and clients alike. He describes himself as a people person and loves interacting with individuals from all walks of life.

Tony, his wife, and their four daughters moved to Walhalla, SC three years ago to be closer to family and friends. Together they appreciate spending time at the lake as a family fishing and swimming and like everyone else fortunate enough to live in these beautiful mountains, just enjoying life in the great outdoors.

Rebecca Anderson

Rebecca Anderson grew up in North Carolina and moved to Cashiers to join the Designers Market in 2022. Graduating from Appalachian State University with a degree in Interior Design, she has always had a passion for design, architecture, and using her creativity wherever she goes. She was involved in the Design Club serving as an ambassador, providing incoming students with the information they needed about the design program.

With a background of retail, she hopes to use her skill set to assist customers with great service and to help tie finishing touches into their projects. During her free time, Rebecca enjoys being outside, reading books, and catching up on the latest food trends.

Sara Minton

Sara Minton is the newest member of the team here at The Designer’s Market. She is on board with her varied experience to support the company’s marketing efforts and assist in day to day operations. Having extensive experience in both real estate and retail sales, Sara’s diverse background, attention to detail, excellent customer service skills and strong work ethic add another layer of distinction to the creative elements at The Designer’s Market.

In her down time, she enjoys reading a good book, traveling, and spending quality time with her husband and daughter.

Bethany Wiggins

Bethany Wiggins joined The Designer’s Market in the fall of 2022. Designing has always intrigued her, and she is excited to be part of such a dynamic team. Her experience in many fields will aide in assisting with the many facets of The Designer’s Market. She moved from the beaches of St. Simons Island, GA to the mountains of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau in 2013 thinking she would always be a coastal girl. After falling in love with the beauty and peace the mountains offer, she quickly became a mountain girl. She enjoys spending time with her family outdoors, hiking and cooking out, and loves getting lost in a good book!

TJ Brown

Born in Conyers, GA, TJ moved to the mountains in 2001. TJ was an all-conference football and baseball player throughout high school. He spent 6 years training as a pro boxer. He has always enjoyed being a musician and writing music, having grown up in a musical family with a history and background in it. TJ has always had a passion for everything art and always brought the life of art into all his work.  He has 12 years in flooring experience where he has learned all the ins and outs involving installation, quality, design, etc.  TJ enjoys playing music, anything outdoors, and spending time with his kids.

Hootie & Hedwig

Meet the fresh faces at The Designer’s Market. These two owl face finches have joined the rest of our “flock”. Please stop by and meet them!

Groucho, Chico, Zeppo and Punk

Groucho, Chico, Zeppo, and Punk are Lady Gouldian Finches native to the country of Australia. While Punk is part of the original team of finches from the company’s early years, each one of them, past and present, have been an integral part of the operation here at the Designer’s Market. So much so that our clients frequently say they can’t wait to come back in and see the birds.
All four males have secured high level supervisory positions and spend their time alerting the staff when a guest pops into the showroom. While their days and nights are spent in the office, their lives are certainly not all work and no play. They cheerfully participate in regular afterhours food fights, (which by the way no one has ever personally witnessed). The proof lies in the large quantity of bird seed on the showroom floor each morning. High maintenance males? Maybe. But their quirky characteristics and brilliantly painted plumage more than compensate for any ‘perceived imperfection.