Sue Bickerdyke’s 30 Years of Desert Elegance
Writer Joseph J. Airdo // Photography by Loralei Lazurek
When Sue Bickerdyke recalls her earliest design inspiration, she doesn’t reference luxury showrooms or international design houses. Instead, she remembers shopping for fabrics with her mother and standing beside her Nana at PD Mercantile in Douglas, Arizona, where she arranged window displays and absorbed lessons that would shape her future.
These formative experiences, combined with a deep family heritage in textiles and design, laid the groundwork for what would become one of the Southwest’s most distinctive interior design firms, Sue Bickerdyke Interiors.
“Who I was born to had a huge impact on my creative passion — I’m a fourth-generation fabric enthusiast,” says Bickerdyke, who started sewing at age 5. “I made stuffed animals for the kids I babysat and sewed clothes that never quite fit me — the patterns weren’t designed for my long arms and legs!”
These early creative endeavors in Bisbee, Arizona, where Bickerdyke grew up, sparked a lifelong passion that would eventually transform countless homes across the Southwest. The mining town, run by Phelps Dodge Corp., provided unlikely but fertile ground for developing her work ethic and creative problem-solving skills that would serve her well in the decades to come.
“It was the kind of small town where everyone knew everyone,” she recalls. “As the oldest of four kids, I handled all the household chores and learned by doing — always finding a way to get things done.”
A pivotal moment came during her senior year when she dropped chemistry to take DECA, leading to her first professional role in fashion retail. The position offered invaluable lessons in customer service and design that continue to influence her work today.
“I worked for Irma Courteo at one of Bisbee’s two upscale dress shops,” she explains. “As the youngest employee, I did everything — from steaming clothes to creating window displays and building fashion wardrobes. The older ladies loved letting me learn every aspect of the business.”
Those early retail experiences shaped Bickerdyke’s enduring approach to client service, which remains at the heart of her business philosophy three decades later.
“I’m still a people pleaser today — our core business philosophy is ‘generosity of service,’” she reflects. “Learning to dress women was a gift. I learned to read body language and understand that how clients feel is critical.”
After moving to Phoenix for college, Bickerdyke worked her way through school as a nanny while attending Phoenix College. Her determination led to a position at Starrett’s Fashion World in Scottsdale in 1972, where she quickly advanced from merchandising and window displays to store management and buying.
It was in the fashion industry where she mastered the fundamentals that would define her future career: color coordination, texture combinations, pattern matching and client service.
“While helping clients with wardrobes, I met an Ethan Allen interior designer who changed my career path,” she explains. “The skills I’d developed in fashion — understanding color, texture, and most importantly, client needs — carried over perfectly to interior design. These fundamentals would become the foundation of my formal training.”
At Ethan Allen from 1979 to 1984, Bickerdyke found her true calling. Under the company’s guidance, she transformed from a fashion expert to an interior designer through intensive, hands-on training.
“I was a sponge at Ethan Allen, soaking up the full scope of their services,” she recalls. “They gave me free rein to play with showroom displays, teaching me skills I still use today. When something sells, it creates a domino effect — you have to fill that opening in a way that complements the entire room, often leading to rearranging the whole showroom.”
When her first son was born in 1984, she began decorating nurseries for other new mothers, sharing childcare with a friend to maintain her growing business.
The early 1990s brought both challenges and opportunities. During a commercial real estate downturn, Bickerdyke’s work with ASID staging empty stores led to securing a low-rent showroom space near her home in Scottsdale. Her husband’s unwavering support proved crucial during this period of growth and transition.
“My husband’s encouragement was essential,” she remembers. “He would say, ‘Think you can, think you can’t — either way, you’ll be right.’”
This support, combined with her growing expertise and client base, led to the official birth of Sue Bickerdyke Interiors on Jan. 1, 1994. A serendipitous meeting with Iris Uptagraph later that year brought her to Carefree, where she would establish her permanent design home.
“Moving to her and Ellen Harper’s Carefree design studio felt meant to be,” Bickerdyke says. “With our husbands’ support, nothing could hold me back from realizing my dream of a public design studio.”
Over the next three decades, SBI’s evolution would mirror the growing sophistication of the Carefree-Cave Creek area. The firm expanded thoughtfully, adding neighboring suites as its reputation and client base grew. Even during the 2008 recession, when it was in the process of doubling its size, the firm’s commitment to excellence never wavered.
“Major vendors and suppliers became increasingly eager to work with us, which was a real vote of confidence,” Bickerdyke notes. “We took baby steps to carefully navigate those challenging financial waters, and that cautious approach served us well.”
Throughout her career, Bickerdyke has developed what she calls the “Carefree Style of Living,” a signature approach that reflects both her deep Arizona roots and global perspective. Her design philosophy centers on creating spaces that serve multiple purposes while maintaining an air of sophisticated comfort.
“I see our clients as elegant and sophisticated people who appreciate understated elegance,” she explains. “Their spaces need to work equally well for entertaining and serving as a personal sanctuary where they can reflect and recharge.”
This approach has created such a strong connection with the community that the showroom itself has become a destination.
“When clients walk through our door, they need to feel good — some even come just for the ‘emotional fix’ our showroom provides,” she says with a warm laugh.
As a third-generation Arizonan, Bickerdyke brings a unique perspective to her work, drawing inspiration from both local traditions and global influences.
“We truly are a global community,” she reflects. “I believe in celebrating artisanship — whether it’s custom pieces, handmade crafts or fine art. When we incorporate these handcrafted elements into a room, something magical happens. The energy and passion of the artisan flow through their work and create a special mood that resonates with the homeowner.”
For Bickerdyke, inspiration comes from everywhere, particularly the natural beauty of her beloved Arizona.
“My inspiration never turns off,” she says. “One day, I’ll notice sunlight streaming through a rabbit’s ears. The next, I’ll spot a hawk perched on a limb or soaring overhead. I’m constantly drawn to nature’s palette — the varied greens of desert plants or the dramatic contrast between clouds and our brilliant Arizona sky.”
Her remarkable visual memory allows her to draw upon decades of design inspiration, transforming remembered details into fresh concepts for her clients.
“I can still vividly recall the intricate tile patterns I saw years ago in Italy,” she shares. “In fact, those patterns inspired an incredible tile design we later incorporated into one of our spec house projects.”
In an increasingly digital world, SBI stands apart through its commitment to hands-on, experiential design. The firm has developed innovative approaches to ensure clients can fully envision their future spaces before making final decisions.
“To make the decision process easier, we offer 24-hour approval periods where clients can take accessories and lamps home to see how they look in their actual space,” Bickerdyke explains. “It’s so much more effective than trying to visualize everything through a computer screen!”
As she celebrates her firm’s 30th anniversary, Bickerdyke continues to evolve while staying true to her founding principles. The business is embracing technological advances while maintaining its signature personal touch.
“The future of SBI is embracing digital transformation — we’re moving our operations to cloud-based systems,” she shares. “I’ll be honest: We’re experiencing some growing pains with the technology transition and our new website launch. But these changes are essential for serving our clients better.”
The success and longevity of SBI, Bickerdyke emphasizes, is very much a team effort. A dedicated support team helps ensure smooth operations, and her husband Paul manages all administrative work, maintaining a warm, welcoming presence on the showroom floor. Their professional partnership mirrors their personal one — they’ll celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this year.
“I could not keep this business going without Paul and our entire support team,” she says. “He jokingly calls himself ‘the house dog’ when I’m working in clients’ homes, but his role is essential to our success, as is every member of our team.”
Despite her many accomplishments, Bickerdyke’s creative vision continues to evolve. With an eye toward the future, she’s already envisioning projects that will further cement her legacy in Arizona’s design landscape. Her next aspiration beautifully melds her appreciation for local artistry with her talent for creating luxurious, immersive spaces.
“My next dream project is designing a boutique hotel that showcases authentic Native American and Western art,” she reveals. “I envision spaces adorned with hand carvings and Navajo rugs, creating an immersive experience that honors Arizona’s rich cultural heritage while providing modern luxury.”
This concept not only highlights Bickerdyke’s ongoing passion for design but also demonstrates her deep connection to the Southwest’s artistic traditions. It’s a natural evolution of her “Carefree Style of Living,” expanding from private homes to public spaces while maintaining her signature blend of sophistication and cultural appreciation.
As she prepares to celebrate the milestone with a Mexican fiesta Thursday, March 20, at her showroom, Bickerdyke remains focused on the principles that have guided her success: exceptional service, attention to detail and an unwavering commitment to creating spaces that truly reflect each client’s personality. The celebration will be particularly meaningful as it includes a special honor for her very first client.
Her advice for aspiring designers — and really, anyone pursuing their dreams — remains characteristically straightforward and encouraging.
“Follow your passion. Don’t be afraid to live your dreams,” she urges. “Don’t hold back from sharing your gifts and talents. Learn to sell — you must be able to sell your skills with confidence. Take risks. I never want to look back on my life and wish I had done anything differently.”
Sue Bickerdyke’s ‘Three Cheers’ Anniversary Fiesta
Thursday, March 20 // 4–7 p.m. // Sue Bickerdyke Interiors // 36889 N. Tom Darlington Dr. Carefree // 480-595-0171 // suebickerdyke.com
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