Born in South Florida, the land of no seasons, Ashlee Wood Freeman loves fall. “I get so excited to see the colors of the trees,” she says. “Autumn reminds me of the home, with warm, inviting colors and an element of coziness, to me, it's the time of year that makes you feel most comfortable.” It should come as no surprise that she works in the design industry, given her appreciation of the abundance of colors and textures. We sat down with Ashlee, head of the western region of Francois & Co., to learn more about her.
Image courtesy of Alexis Ahrling
Constantly re-arranging her room as a child, Ashlee “fell in love with the industry years ago.” Relocating to the Centennial State from Francois & Co. Atlanta-based headquarters, she is at home in the west and loves getting to know more and more people within the industry here in Colorado. “Design gets me every time,” Ashlee admits. “Having the opportunity to work with such talented people, all with different styles and perspectives has been thrilling.” A believer that design is a community, she knows that collaboration is key to every project.
Image courtesy of Francois & Co.
With an eye for textiles and colors, quality is a hallmark of every project Ashlee has a hand in. The exquisite materials she has at her disposal - from French oak floors to terracotta tiles to detailed mantels - makes her job that much easier. “Having products that range from minimalist Modern to French Baroque really allows me to deviate from my comfort zone,” she says. With no two projects ever the same, her dedication to architectural details and the beauty of the products continues to strengthen the heritage of Francois & Co.
Images courtesy of Francois & Co.
The origins of the company, founded in 1997, are rooted in the appreciation of art and craftsmanship, and one very memorable start. Founder Thierry Francois came to America from Corsica, with college tuition in his pocket and the encouragement of his parents to continue his education abroad. Instead of attending classes, Francois instead attended to building up his own business. With the tuition money to seed the startup, he jumped in with two feet.
Ashlee is busy on her own two feet. Fielding product inquiries from across the state and visiting project sites all over the Rocky Mountain region, she covers territory in Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Montana, and Idaho. Working hand in hand with architects, interior designers, and builders, she finds that the busy season in Colorado is every season. A proud supporter of historical architecture groups and hospital non-profits, she also loves to be a part of organizations that give back to children.
Image courtesy of Alexis Ahrling
Celebrating her recent marriage to husband Reid, she enjoys a weekend getaway when she’s not busy working. You might find her hiking with her husband, dog Hutch in tow, or holing up at a mountain bed and breakfast. She loves to ski and finally had the chance to get on the slopes of Ajax this past winter.
Her summer wedding was all about local and full of love. The ceremony at T-Lazy-7 showcased a magnificent summer day in the meadow with the celebration continuing at The Hotel Jerome (home to Ashlee’s favorite cocktail, The Aspen Times). Meticulously planned by J. Lemon Events, you can catch a peek at her ceremony with this video from Tata + Luca. Simply stunning.
Follow along with Ashlee online at Francois & Co., with a showroom slated to open in 2020. And keep an eye out for her at Local. She frequently fuels up with their famous Oat Milk Latte.
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Kristin Dittmar Design features original Italian marble sinks that make a stunning masterpiece for any bathroom, whether a restored Victorian, modern farmhouse or contemporary mountain casa. We’ve scouted out some local finds to pair with one of our favorite sinks, No. 9.
Sink. Kristin Dittmar Design, No. 9 Italian Marble sink
1. FLOS IS C Pendant Light, The Lighting Studio
2. LULU polished chrome fixture, Dornbracht
3. Black Crockery Tall Vase, Maker
4. Chevron Pietra d’Avola Stone Tile, Decorative Materials
5. Zaffir Collection Rug, Isberian Rug Company
