Camarillo woman has an eye for design at Bella Porta Decor

Marna DeVane was born with an eye for decorating.

She decorated her own Santa Barbara home, but that wasn't enough for her. She decorated the homes of friends and family and offices where she worked.

Although DeVane has a natural talent, she felt needed to learn more, so she took extension classes at the university, worked for a furniture manufacturer for a while and soaked up all the information she could at trade shows.

Designers have to learn continually because design is always changing, DeVane said.

Even so, "You really have to have that natural ability," she said. "This is not something you can train."

In 1981, when she, her husband, Ralph, and their daughter moved to Camarillo, DeVane opened RMA Design because the business climate in Camarillo is more favorable than in Santa Barbara, she said.

"And we love the people here," she said.

DeVane ran the business out of her Santa Rosa Valley home and had no shortage of clients. Business grew by word of mouth because, DeVane said, she set herself apart from other designers by finding unique furniture pieces and accessories at bargain prices that delighted clients.

"I am a bargain finder; I look for the best deal, the best look," DeVane said

To give the general public the same opportunity, DeVane opened Bella Porta Gifts and Decor in 2006. Business was so good that she opened a second store last year, Bella Porta Decor and Design, just a few doors down from the first. In it she displays larger furniture pieces, such as sectionals and chairs.

Some customers may have an idea of what they're looking for; others may be confused by color, scale and design. Either way, DeVane is at their service. She offers free advice in the stores and is also available for inhome consultations.

Does the living room need a tall, understated lamp in the corner? Will a black floral wall hanging and matching pillow make the family room more inviting? People usually have no trouble picking out big furniture pieces but may have trouble with the finishing touches, what DeVane calls "the frosting."

For an hourly charge, DeVane or one of her two designers will visit a client's home for a design consultation and, if they have an idea of the client's decor, bring with them store pieces they think might work. If it works out, the client can purchase the items right at home.

DeVane can also create a design plan for the entire house. The clients can decorate when and how they see fit, whether room by room or piece by piece.

Offering furnishings not found in chain stores at good prices has built up a loyal clientele around the country for DeVane. When clients move, they often ask her to fly out and decorate their new house, she said.

It happened when a Thousand Oaks client moved to North Carolina.

"They trusted me so much they had me help pick out their home," DeVane said.

She decorated the new home, and when neighbors saw DeVane's work, they asked her to decorate their homes. Over the past 15 years, DeVane has traveled to North Carolina more than a dozen times. The same thing happened when a Westlake Village client moved to Dallas.

Local customers seem to appreciate Bella Porta's inventory. On a recent afternoon, Laura Shigemitsu was shopping for a baby gift at the store.

"It's always really cute, and it's set up so you can find things," said Shigemitsu, a Moorpark resident who works in Camarillo. "I really like it; I kind of meander through here on my lunch hour."

The most important thing shoppers should know is that Bella Porta is not a high-priced boutique, DeVane said. Both stores are giving a 25 percent discount on every item, now through Dec. 31.

"Most of it is something everyone can afford. . . . We work within their budget," she said

Her husband, Ralph, added, "We respect their money because we're shoppers, too."

For 25 years, Ralph commuted from Camarillo to his job as captain for the Santa Barbara County Fire Department because he believed in his wife's talents. He retired two years ago and is in charge of promoting his wife's business, a job that comes easily after years of watching her successfully decorate hundreds of homes, he said.

High school sweethearts who've been married for 41 years, the DeVanes recently sold their Santa Rosa Valley home and bought a 20-acre avocado ranch nearby. They plan to build a home on the property and until then are renting a house in Camarillo.

"(I) wanted him to have his dream," Marna DeVane said.

Bella Porta's two stores are at 4966 and 4920 Verdugo Way in Camarillo. For information, call (805) 484-5115.