About BeyondBlue Interiors
Beth and Susan created BeyondBlue Interiors in April 2005 to provide a source for quality, modern home furnishings at prices equal or less than competitors, including online sites. The products in our showroom reflect a curated selection from a number of furniture and accessory companies, many from North Carolina. We love to support our community and also feature local artists and one-of-a-kind furniture. What you see in the store represents only a small percentage of designs available from these companies – each of our furniture manufacturers has an extensive collection you can choose from. And, we have all the fabrics and finishes right in the store to help you with your decision. Many manufacturers can deliver custom furniture in 6 weeks or less.
In our store or in your home – our designers provide personalized service to you in the store and are also available to consult with you in your home at no charge. They can make your home beautiful and comfortable with furniture and decor that reflects today’s style. Moving to a larger home, downsizing to your dream home, or trying to blend modern and traditional styles? Our designers can help!
Our name? Ever hear of Big Blue (IBM)? That’s right. Both Beth and Susan worked for the technology company, although Susan hasn’t yet reached the “beyond” phase since she still works full time at Big Blue!
Select the image above to view a slideshow gallery.
Our Team
Susan LaFera
Owner
Susan is one of the co-owners of BeyondBlue. She has not yet reached the “beyond” phase given that she works full time at Big Blue (IBM). She loves working with clients and selecting items for the store. 
Susan LaFera
Susan is one of the co-owners of BeyondBlue. She loves working with clients and selecting items for the store. She also enjoys rearranging the showroom to keep things fresh.
What would your dream house look like?
My dream house is all glass, walnut, concrete and is perched on a bluff – preferably overlooking the sea.
What is your number one design principle?
Keep it simple and clean.
Your style in 2 words?
Modern and clean.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
Oh jeez, this is hard because there are still so many places I want to see… maybe in California on the coast.
What would you take with you on a desert island?
Hmmm. My iPhone? Haha!
What is one piece of advice you would offer to a client who is starting to redecorate?
Open up your mind to new possibilities and start with one piece at a time working toward your vision.
If you weren’t in interior design, what would you be doing for a living?
Maybe teach.
One thing most people would be surprised to know about you?
I work for IBM ;-).
Beth Bridgers
Owner
Beth left the corporate world to open BeyondBlue and spend more time with her two boys. She’s proud of being personally involved in the buying decisions for the store and helping customers with their design decisions. 
Beth Bridgers
Beth Bridgers is one of the owners of BeyondBlue. After working for IBM for many years, she left the corporate world to open BeyondBlue with Susan and spend more time with her two boys. She’s proud of being personally involved in the buying decisions for the store. Beth loves being on the showroom floor and helping customers with their design decisions. She’s also in charge of the filing cabinets in the back stockroom, so like all of us at BeyondBlue, she does a little bit of everything.
What would your dream house look like?
Sleekly modern, with a hint of softness so it’s inviting and doesn’t feel cold.
What is your number one design principle?
Less is more!
Your style in 2 words?
Modern and peaceful.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
Closer to my sister, we have a blast together!
What would you take with you on a desert island?
Water and sunscreen, oh and maybe a bottle (or two) of good red wine.
What is one piece of advice you would offer to a client who is starting to redecorate?
Start with foundation pieces you can live with for years, then throw in fun things you can switch out as your tastes change.
If you weren’t in interior design, what would you be doing for a living?
Computer programming, oh wait…I’ve already tried that!
One thing most people would be surprised to know about you?
I love to go to rock and heavy metal concerts with my kids ;-).
Meghan Quinn
Designer
Meghan joined the BeyondBlue team in 2014. After taking time out to bring her beautiful baby into the world, she is back at BeyondBlue helping our customers with home designs and furniture selections! 
Meghan Quinn
Meghan worked as an architect, artist & designer in Los Angeles, Austin, & Chicago before joining the BeyondBlue team in 2014. After taking time out last year to bring her beautiful baby girl into the world, she is back at BeyondBlue to help our customers with their home designs and furniture selections.
What would your dream house look like?
I’ve always envisioned a U-Shaped floor plan to create a strong connection between the indoor and outdoor spaces. The interior would be flooded with light and filled with an eclectic collection of my favorite finishes, furnishings, and artwork!
What is your number one design principle?
Form follows function.
Your style in 2 words?
California Modern.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
I grew up in Northern California, and always feel the pull back west to San Francisco, with a close runner up being Barcelona, my favorite European city.
What would you take with you on a desert island?
A sketchbook and pencil to record everything the old-fashioned way.
What is one piece of advice you would offer to a client who is starting to redecorate?
There is no such thing as right or wrong, just choose what makes you feel happy!
If you weren’t in interior design, what would you be doing for a living?
I would love to design stages for musicians’ world tours.
One thing most people would be surprised to know about you?
I love to swim, bike & run, and have completed two Half Ironmans so far!
Allison Edwards
Designer
Allison joined BeyondBlue in 2015 and brings great energy to our design team! She works tirelessly to find just the right pieces for customers’ homes and loves working out every detail to make a room come to life! 
Allison Edwards
Allison has always loved design and has had her hands in building and creative projects for as long as she has been able. She especially loves blending practical and beautiful elements to form comfortable spaces!
What would your dream house look like?
Clean and well organized with minimal clutter, but not so sparse as to be uncomfortable. Plenty of natural elements to keep it refreshing and calming. Interesting contrasts with mixed styles and layers of visual texture. Lots of light, but plenty of privacy. I want my home to be an oasis!
What is your number one design principle?
Design spaces that are meant to be lived in!
Your style in 2 words?
Eclectic & Modern-Industrial.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
Anywhere with beautiful scenery and awesome people. I love rainy days, mountains, and lush greenery, but also enjoy the bustle and variety of a large city. There are plenty of places where I would be happy!
What would you take with you on a desert island?
If I could take everything I wanted, I would gear up for comfortable and relaxing survival. If I had to pick just 5 items to not go crazy, they would be:
1) A very large coil of rope
2) A sharp axe
3) A massive pad of paper with writing/drawing tools
4) A pack of flints
5) A versatile blanket
What is one piece of advice you would offer to a client who is starting to redecorate?
Choose items that speak to you in some way and elevate your mood when you see them, but keep in mind that the parts will always relate to the whole in some way. Your home should be a reflection of you and how you wish to live your best life!
If you weren’t in interior design, what would you be doing for a living?
Probably sustainable building, in some form, or something else that gives me a creative outlet.
One thing most people would be surprised to know about you?
I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up!
Elyse Cooper-Appelmann
Designer
Elyse has a degree in Architectural Interior Design which she has put to great use since joining our design team in November 2015. She especially enjoys working with floor plans and picking just the right furniture for new homes! 
Elyse Cooper-Appelmann
Elyse has a degree in Architectural Interior Design which she has put to great use since joining our design team in November 2015. She especially enjoys working with floor plans and picking just the right furniture for new homes!
What would your dream house look like?
Would be a 50’s bungalow with a step down living room. Inside would be clean and pure with hints of bohemian sprinkled in and tons of plants..
What is your number one design principle?
Incorporate nature or at least become inspired by it in designing.
Your style in 2 words?
Pure and Natural.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
New Zealand.
What would you take with you on a desert island?
Eno, my dogs and hubby.
What is one piece of advice you would offer to a client who is starting to redecorate?
Keep location, functionality and practicality in mind when designing.
If you weren’t in interior design, what would you be doing for a living?
Astronomer.
One thing most people would be surprised to know about you?
I have an awesome collection of rubber ducks.