March 13, 2020

Rosemary Porto, senior designer for Poggenpohl – Boston and New England Hall of Fame inductee, has announced her retirement, effective March 31. Renowned for her leadership in the design industry, the announcement comes after a year of reflection and ultimately her decision to fulfill a life-long dream of becoming an author.

“I have enjoyed being part of Poggenpohl and Boston’s vibrant design community immensely,” said Porto. “It’s been such a creative outlet for me, and I feel lucky for the wonderful career I’ve had. But after 35 years, it’s time I spend my creative energy in different ways. It’s not really a retirement – I joke that I’m trading my designer’s pencil for a writer’s pen.”

For Porto, writing fiction is a passion. She started writing in earnest years ago, attending workshops and retreats. But that part of her life always took a backseat to her design work. Now, she is giving herself the opportunity to put all of her energies into her new novel, already underway.

Porto leaves at the top of her game as one of the most recognized and honored kitchen designers working in New England. Consistently a top performer for Poggenpohl, architects, interior designers and contractors from all corners of the country reach out to her for her keen sense of style as well as her integrity, client commitment and her high level of professionalism. Her designs are incorporated into homes across the United States, including Boston, Cape Cod and the Islands, Vermont, Florida, West Virginia, California and New York City. Additionally, her work has consistently been published in a number of leading home design publications.

In addition to being inducted into the New England Design Hall of Fame (2014), Porto is the recipient of many industry and design awards, including the ASID Design Excellence Award (2017), the Sub Zero/Wolf Best of the Best Kitchen Design Award (2015), three Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Boston (BRAGB) PRISM Awards, an International Furniture and Design Association (IFDA) Distinguished Member Award (2013) and a Poggenpohl Best Customer Service Award (2011).

“We are grateful for the commitment, spirit and energy that Rosemary has brought to our profession in her many years of practice,” said Eric Haydel, president of the ASID New England Chapter. “It is extremely hard to put into words not only the impact she has made in our community but also how she has touched my own professional growth with her ever-kind heart and enthusiasm to create change. While I am sad to see her retire from interior design, I am thrilled to see her next adventure. She is simply incredible and someone who I’ve come to treasure and love in our community. We wish her the most success on this new journey.”