A little bit about me.

From 2011-2015, I attended Appalachian State University and earned my BS in Interior Design. The program is accredited by both the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). In the Spring of 2014, I had the privilege to serve as an ambassador for the program. My primary role consisted of giving tours to prospective students through demonstrating my knowledge of the program as well as the design industry.

 

During my junior year of college, I was invited to participate in Solar Decathlon Europe 2014. This internationally recognized competition took place between 20 teams from all over the world. The goal was to “design, build & operate cost-effective, energy-efficient & attractive solar-powered houses” (surehouse.org). While on the team, I served as an interior designer and assisted with the lighting design. Aiding with the interior and exterior lighting, my role on this project extended far beyond designing a lighting plan. Once the lighting placement had been determined, I was enlisted to design, specify, construct, and install the fixtures. This collaborative experience required 50+ hour work weeks in addition to going to school full-time. Once the construction phase was complete and the house had shipped, I was asked to join the travel squad in Versailles, France. Spending a month in France, my duties shifted to reassembling the house and tour-giving. From this experience, I gained immense hands-on experience and learned about all the parts and pieces that go into building a home. It was during this time that I really fell in love with residential design and discovered a larger appreciation for sustainable design.

 

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After graduation, I accepted a position with Artistic Interior Design, a residential firm located in Cornelius, NC. The company is full-service, specializing in providing high-end, custom designs to its clientele. Project types vary in size and include new construction, renovations, and furnishings. Throughout the years I have worked directly with the owner, an NCIDQ certified designer herself. Being a small company, I have also been given the opportunity to be a part of many different phases of the design process.

 

In the early years of my career, my contributions to the team included: taking and inputting site measurements into CAD, creating 3d models of projects, implementing kitchen & bath design through cabinetry plans and elevations, compiling construction drawings, and assisting in FF&E selections. At the time, I was the only one within the company that knew modeling software and was tasked with drawing these projects in SketchUp. As a result, I gained a lot of familiarity with modeling architectural features, such as cabinetry, moldings, specialty windows, etc. Through kitchen & bath design, I found that I enjoyed the challenge of laying out cabinetry. Not only did it require having to incorporate the client’s needs, but also it had to be done while working within the confinements of the space. Although my job responsibilities have changed over the years, I still utilize these foundational skills on almost every project.

 

For the last few years, my role has shifted to give me much more on-the-job experience. Those duties have included: directly communicating with contractors, trades, and clients, sending out jobs for bid, creating project budgets and schedules, managing project progress, and frequently performing site visits. As a result, I have learned a lot through watching others and personal application of how construction jobs should be run to maximize efficiency. My organizational abilities and attention to detail have been crucial to my development in this area.

 

In the Spring of 2021, I made a goal for myself to become NCIDQ certified. I sat for the exams in October of 2021 and passed all three on the first attempt. While studying for these tests, I regained an appreciation for commercial design, a sector of design I have not touched since my time at ASU. At the beginning of 2022, I was promoted to Senior Interior Designer with my current employer. Some job responsibilities exclusive to my position include space planning, overseeing construction renovations, serving as a direct contact to clients and tradesmen, and training the junior designers (as needed).

 

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Looking forward, I intend to constantly work towards being a well-rounded designer. I plan to do this by continuing to ask questions, learn from my mistakes, and apply my experience to the projects I am on. Some 5-year goals of mine include: learning and/or refining knowledge of software (e.g. Revit, Enscape, etc.), being involved in different project types (e.g. retail, hospitality, sustainable, etc.), registering to be a Registered Interior Designer, becoming LEED certified, helping to grow and lead a team, and eventually serving as a mentor to younger designers.

 

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When I'm not designing, you can find me at home with my husband, two dogs, and cat. Some hobbies of mine include spending time with friends and family, binge-watching Netflix shows, playing video games, and organizing with clear bins. I grew up in North Carolina and love all that the state has to offer – immense growth opportunities, quick access to both the mountains and beach, and close proximity to family. I have put my roots down here and reside in Charlotte, NC.