if you go
Second to None Design by Cathy B.
Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Location: 587 University Ave.
Contact: 563-557-7212
Online: secondtononedesign.com
Cathy Breitbach always has found ease tapping into her creative side — whether that has been on a theatrical stage or in finding an eye for pulling together an aesthetically pleasing design.
“I was a dancer all my life,” said the 72-year-old Dubuque native, with a background in choreography. “But I’m also a dreamer. When my daughter got married, I always wanted to host a big wedding. My husband and I had our home on Grove Terrace Street in Dubuque, so that’s exactly what I did. They got married at Nativity Church. A horse and buggy brought them to the house, where we had a big celebration on the lawn, under big tents. I designed and sewed her wedding gown. People said it looked like a million dollar wedding out of a magazine.”
What began as a seed planted by Breitbach’s second grade teacher, who told her she was good at art, has evolved into a 49-year-old business, after graduating from Wahlert Catholic High School, and going on to study art and physical education at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, eventually transferring back to Dubuque to attend Loras College.
The business started as Carpet Shack, later adding design services through Cathy B. Interiors. Today, it’s known as Second to None Design by Cathy B, specializing in home and event stylings for a variety of occasions.
Twelve warehouses throughout Dubuque are stacked floor to ceiling with decorative items, in addition to Second to None Design by Cathy B’s University Avenue location.
“We do approximately 150 events per year,” Breitbach said. “Everything from weddings to bridal showers, anniversaries, the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival, the interior look of Vinny Vanucchi’s (Little Italy in Dubuque and Galena) and corporate events, including Christmas parties. One of the questions I get the most is, ‘Do you know where everything is?’ And I do.”
The holidays, in particular, are a favorite of Breitbach’s.
“I just love to be creative,” she said. “People think you need to go out and spend a lot of money to buy special things for the holidays. And you certainly can. But you also can just find things from around the house that you already live with and love. Maybe you take a festive plaid scarf and it becomes a table runner you can base your whole design around. Maybe you have a theme that carries from room to room, or maybe you have a theme for each room.
“The holidays are an emotional and nostalgic time, when we like to go back to what we know, what we grew up with and what is familiar to us. We base a lot of our decor on tradition. Some people like red and green. Others like a more woodsy and natural look, with sage green and branches. But it’s an individual thing. Christmas also can be excuse for sequins and sparkle.”
The latter is what Breitbach gravitates toward.
She decorates with several faux trees throughout her home. One natural tree serves as the focal point.
“I like a lot of lights,” she said. “It creates a mood. It’s majestic and easy to do. Accents like crystal, glitter and sparkle add to the glimmer of the season.”
Breitbach said it serves as the perfect backdrop to family time — including her husband of 52 years, six children, 17 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
“People sometimes ask me if I spell my name with a C or with a K,” Breitbach said, with a laugh. “I always say with a C because C stands for crazy. It’s a crazy life, and they don’t call me Crazy Cathy for nothing. But this time of year, it also can stand for Christmas.”
Megan Gloss writes for the Telegraph Herald.
