By Kathy Lynch
Most University of Louisville graduates can only hope to follow in the footsteps of Camille Cothron former member of Chi Omega Sorority and graduate of U of L with a degree in Interior Design. Cothron has just recently made her national debut on the fourth season of “Dress my Nest,” which airs on Style Network.
Cothron graduated from Butler High School here in Louisville and when deciding on what to study at U of L, interior design was not Cothron’s first choice.
“Believe it or not I was biology major and was pre-dental for 2 years, which I discovered was definitely not for me. When I found out that U of L had an Interior Architecture program, I was ecstatic because that was something I had always been interested in,” said Cothron. “Going into the program was scary at first because it was all so new to me, but I ended up LOVING the challenge.”
Once making the transition into design, Cothron seemed to find herself with the help of her professors.
“I loved my Design Studio Professors; Moon He-Baik and Stow Chapman. I had the most classes with them and they taught me everything I needed to know about interior architecture,” said Cothron. “I also loved Ying Kit Chan, who I had some art classes with, including 2-D Design and Drawing 1. He really knows his stuff and has such a great personality.”
Upon graduating Cothron, began her design career in St. Matthews at Domain Fabric & Interiors. At this time she also began acting in plays at the Kentucky Center of the Arts as well as Actor’s Theartre and adding film work to her resume.
What many may not know about Cothron is that she has studied dance her entire life. Starting with ballet when she was just 2 years old and then tap; she continues taking ballet lessons today. Cothron began violin lessons when she was 9 years old and still plays from “time to time.”
According to Cothron, she got all her drawing talents from her dad, Bill Cothron, who still resides in Louisville with Cothron’s mother, Barbara.
With her theatrical background and talents in the world of design, it was no wonder she would head to Los Angeles to pursue a career and live her life.
“I did have a fear of living in Louisville my entire life without ever experiencing what it’s like to live somewhere else. I think it’s so important to get out of your comfort zone and experience different cultures and ways of life,” Cothron said. “I feel that Louisville is such an amazing city that often people are born here, grow up here, and never leave, which is understandable. But I wanted to have amazing stories to tell one day, and I think I’m on my way to achieving that.”
According to Camille, her parents though excited and proud now, were very skeptical and worried when she made the decision to move across the county.
“I live in the city of Los Angeles in an area called The Miracle Mile. It’s a great historic neighborhood and my building is from the 1930s,” said Cothron.
Cothron found work as an actor but decided she wanted to combine her loves. She began an internship in the office of acclaimed interior designer Kelly Wearstler (a judge on Bravo’s Top Design) which, she said, allowed her to brush up on her design skills.
Cothron then began dong freelance design around LA and said when the opportunity for “Dress My Nest arose, it was perfect timing.”
Acting, Cothron said, came naturally to her because of the theatrical background she grew up with. “I love that I’m able to combine both my ability to have on-camera presence with my design skills on ‘Dress My Nest.’ I feel so lucky and I worked so hard to get to where I am.”
Cothron works alongside well known interior designer and author Thom Filicia, well known from being on “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” as his “protégé and design expert.” When viewers see Cothron, she is working with Filicia on the different designs for each episode.
“I work as Thom’s ‘intern’ on-camera. We work side-by-side and share dialogue about the designs, clients, etc.,” she said.
But what watchers don’t see is behind the scenes when Cothron actually creates all of the floor plans and 3-D room drawings that do appear on the show.
Cothron’s brother is also “in the business,” and can easily be recognized as part of the team of Kynt and Vixsin from “The Amazing Race.” Kynt is proud of his sis and wanted to share her good fortune with everyone. Kynt and Vixsin are now busy with their blogs, interviews of other “Amazing Race” contestants, modeling for “Hot Topic” and more.
It seems that Camille Cothron, with her many talents and perhaps having her degree from U of L, has found her spot in the world on “Dress my Nest.” She said in the future she would love to have her own “fabulous interior design business, have a wonderful husband and a beautiful historic home (hopefully in Louisville).” Adding that she wants to travel extensively and always keep learning and bettering herself.
“I do hope to find myself back in Louisville one of these days, though, because it will always be home to me.”
Watch for Cothron on “Dress my Nest,” Wednesdays at 11 p.m. on Style Network. For more information visit http://www.mystyle.com/mystyle/shows/dressmynest/index.jsp
