GULF SHORES, Ala. — Who on the Island has not seen a brightly colored van scooting about and decorated with a set of genie’s eyes peeking through a bottle with elegant and beachy fabric spilling out the top of the bottle?  Written within the design is “Charlotte’s Interior Decorating.”

With this vision sparking my journalistic curiosity, I started making calls and had the pleasure of arranging a meeting with the charming and intelligent Charlotte Perkins Hill.

Understanding Charlotte, it seems, cannot be done without first exploring her background and learning about her parents, Johann and Theresa Fritsche. They came to America from Germany in 1952 after marrying by selling all their wedding gifts to buy a Leica camera, and to book passage on a ship to pursue “The American Dream.”

As their ship entered New York harbor, they often remember being welcomed by the Statue of Liberty — a good sign of what was to come.  Though they spoke no English at the time, through an interpreter, Johann got a job with the army, and was sent to Alaska where his skills as a machinist made him invaluable.

In Germany, Theresa was a skilled designer, tailor and a profound seamstress. After arriving in Alaska, she walked into a tailor’s shop holding a scissors, and tape measure, and was hired to do alterations. Her expertise became legendary.

At the completion of his two-year commitment with the army, Johann and Teresa decided to move to the Industrial Belt, and raise a family. The road ahead lead them to Racine, Wis.

Johann worked  as a machinist while attending night school to become trained and skilled in tool and dye design.

In Racine Charlotte and her sister, Annette were born. As they grew up, they convinced their mom that she should open a fabric store, so they would have a place to work. For 17 years Charlotte worked at their store, Fritsches Fabrics, sewing, and later, designer school, which they opened downstairs from the store.

Charlotte mentored under her mom learning the business of textiles, clothing construction, fittings, and also she did teaching. By the seventh grade Charlotte knew in her heart that she wanted to be a seamstress and designer.

Charlotte attended the University of Wisconsin- Stout, a four-year technical college. She acquired a degree in clothing textiles and design, a business minor, and a teaching certificate to teach in technical schools.

The school also had a great swim team of which Charlotte was a part of for three years.  Johann, her father, was a champion swimmer, and had insisted his children be the same.  Charlotte’s athletic abilities were rewarded as she went to Nationals, and became a seven time “All American” swimmer. In 1988 she was the first woman to be inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

 During Charlotte’s senior year in college she met, and married, a fellow student. After graduation, the lure of the South, and business opportunities, brought Charlotte and her husband to Gulf Shores.  They were resident managers of island Winds West Condos, and while he held down the fort, Charlotte worked for “Simones Fine Designer Fabrics from Europe” as their southeastern sales representative. She worked for Simones for four years.

Charlotte’s family grew with a son, Forrest ( a graduate of the U S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y., and is now a systems engineer on a LNG ship), and a daughter, Vanessa, who will graduate this spring with a degree in textiles and decorating. With the birth of her children, Charlotte knew she needed to be home.

Following a divorce, Charlotte then worked for various furniture stores as an interior designer and decorator.  In 2001 Gene Hill walked into the furniture store. He was soft spoken, always smiled, and had a kind way about him. They started dating, and two years later were married.   Gene was known as one of the nicest men on the Island. As Charlotte says, “To know Gene is to love him.”

They bought a home in Gulf Shores, and seeing a need in the area for a “full service” interior decorating business they started their business offering custom  bedding, reupholstery, remodeling kitchens and baths, and Charlotte’s favorite, making custom drapes. Charlotte’s Interior Decorating’s motto is “We come to you.”

Talking to Charlotte, one learns she thinks in 3D.  An unusual talent, but it’s necessary to see the whole picture, in order to be good in this type of business. Her uniqueness comes in that she goes to the customer, and is full service right down to painting, plumbing, and electrical.  She says her greatest reward is that genuine  “WOW” factor she hear from her customers. 

“My parents always stressed to have pride and passion in what you do, and I’m a reflection of them,” Charlotte said.

Charlotte tells me her interests include supporting the United Methodist Church, swimming and exercising at Bodenhamer, doing yard work, sharing time and activities with Gene, traveling, working on projects, and of course, chocolate!!

It was a pleasure to meet and talk to Charlotte. She is a treasure to all who are fortunate enough to be able to call her a friend.  She’s a genuine lady who lives on the Island.