Colleen O'Donnell's Interior Design Portfolio

To be a designer, you do not only need to be creative and artistic, but you need to be hardworking and methodical.

There is a misconception of what a designer’s true responsibilities are. It is not just about selecting furniture and ďŹ nishes to complete a project. It is about the design process and how our ideas evolve. Schematic phases of design are equally important as design development in order to create something truly inspiring.

Moving ahead I will continue to advance my skills as an interior designer.

I look forward to expanding my knowledge as I continue to gain experience in this industry. Most importantly, I want my designs to leave an impact and empower other interior designers.

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COLLEEN O’DONNELL

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“It’s art if it can’t be explained. It’s fashion if no one asks for an explanation. It’s design if it doesn’t need explanation.”

-Wouter Stokkel

In this advanced course, the design of an upscale, global, corporate interior reflects the comprehensive synthesis of problem identification, research, programming preliminary design, design development, and construction documents. Problem solving centers on the creative and technical aspects involved in the universal design of commercial environments including space planning with code compliances, way-finding techniques, and specifying corporate furnishings, finishes and materials.

In the first part of this senior-level course, students use critical thinking skills through research, writing, discussion, and problem-solving. Emphasis is on the identification of a design problem that could be better met through more responsible design. Students choose a research topic with instructor approval. In the second part, students develop a viable and visual solution for the project. Solutions incorporate environmentally sound, cost effective, and responsible design methods to influence an audience using creative delivery methods.

RETAIL _ _ _

The retail portion of the Specialty Design course is to teach students the basics of retail design, basic fixture layouts, exterior design, display of merchandise, signage, and wayfinding, through lectures, field trips, and guest speakers.

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COMMERCIALDESIGN _____________

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Internship is a monitored program for senior-level students to work part-time within the interior design industry. Field experience is an opportunity for students to apply and advance their knowledge, skills and professionalism under the supervision of a qualified mentor.

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COMMERCIAL _ _ _

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Social Scene is a cutting edge social media firm looking for inspiration and innovative environment to work in. With the constant development of new trends, this firm is in need of a fresh office space to entertain their expanding ideas. This space will motivate employees as they walk through the door. new technology and a contemporary setting help spark creative ideas and bring about improvement in existing concepts. Each individual space is easily accessible with clear cues to help clients navigate their way through the office. The reception area is found to the left of the elevators and straight ahead from the entrance. This angular floor plan separates private areas from public areas and the staff is overlooked by their supervisors located nearby. The employees have plenty of space to collaborate as a team while still maintaining an appropriate amount of privacy. The overall color scheme of the office is analogous using various shades of green, blue, and purple. Red is used as an accent throughout the space in artwork, furniture, and fixtures. This helps keep a high level of energy in the office and a positive place to work.

Private offices are decorated with a soothing color palette to allow for them to concentrate and host professional meetings, however inspiration artwork on the walls help spice up the room. Most areas are illuminated with natural light coming in from large windows allowwing the company to save on energy costs. The open floor plan allows for the workstations to receive sunlight as well. Low VOC paints and recycled materials help to keep Social Scene eco-friendly. Taking any potential environmental hazards into consideration while preparing a design will help improve the quality of life in the work place. The right kind of aesthetics and different personalities shape the framework of a company and how well they will perform as a whole.

Hard-working employees and a motivational office create the right kind of chemistry that is important for any business to be successful.

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SOCIAL SCENE

Produced in Google SketchUp Enhanced in Photoshop

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Produced in AutoCAD All scales represent original scale

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COMMERCIAL ENVIRONMENTS

All scales represent original scale.

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7 Senses Day Spa

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THESIS

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The concept of this wellness spa is to provide a sustainable environment for the working class to go and relieve themselves of every-day stress. 7 Senses Day Spa provides a relaxing atmosphere where services including, massages, facials, waxing, manicure/pedicures, and an on-staff nutritionist. There is also a private jacuzzi area with massage tables available for additional leisure time. Besides a soft color palette consisting of blues and greens, this facility focuses on the health of both mind and body. The goal of 7 Senses Day Spa is to be one of the leading eco-friendly wellness spas in the Chicagoland area. This design portrays the importance of overall well-being while practicing sustainability to promote green design in a calming and peaceful environment. The design of this spa is driven by ďŹ ve guiding principles.

It incorporates oor to ceiling windows to provide natural light and aid in environmental design.

Signage and ooring are key features for this wellness spa because they help guide clients from space to space.

Positive distractions are provided throughout the spa to help clients relax and forget about daily stresses. LED lamps and additional sustainable elements have been strategically placed to provide plenty of sunlight.

Sustainable design is the most important inspiration for this wellness spa.

By using green materials, people are receiving a relaxing, as well as healthy, experience.

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SUSTAINABILITY

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7 Senses Day Spa

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Bone Yard is a boutique dog shop conveniently located in downtown Edison Park. It is designed in a neighborhood where pets’ needs are just as important as the needs of people. They provide all the essentials for dogs, while still giving their owners a feeling of individuality. Bone Yard is the perfect place to accommodate any type of dog and what their owner may be looking for.

From bones and leashes to organic food and vitamins, this shop is any dog lover’s dream.

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During my internship, I have had an extremely well-rounded experience.

I began interning at Charles Sparks + Company in October of 2012.

During my experience there, I have been involved in many aspects of the industry. My tasks have included filing and organizing in the materials library, updating project manuals, learning the process of a submittals to project participants, and observing meetings with sales representatives. Filing in the library at Charles Sparks + Company is a full-time job. They are always receiving new textiles and literature about new products being used in the industry. By organizing the library I have learned a lot about the products they use in various projects.

Project manuals are a key tool in the office. They are large binders that are referred to at different phases of the project. Each binder has a sample of every material being used and they are constantly evolving.

The manuals I worked on contained colors and materials for two Macy’s stores, Gurnee Mills Mall in Gurnee, Illinois and South Shore Mall in Bay Shore, New York. I was also lucky enough to sit in on countless meetings with sales representatives. These representatives were from various companies including Mannington, HBF, Maharam, MDC, and many more. During these meetings, the representative would show us the newest line of products and educate us on the performance and specification. Some sales representatives are new to Charles Sparks + Company and others have been working with them for years so it was interesting to see what they would offer. The designs of Charles Sparks + Company are very sleek and contemporary using bright whites and grays, occasionally adding in a pop of color, to focus on retail product rather than the backdrop. The fixtures they choose help display merchandise in way to make the customer feel as if they are always shopping in luxury.

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RETAIL DESIGN

Charles Sparks + Company is a retail design, planning, and consulting firm. As a member of the Retail Design Institute, as well as other organizations, and over 37 years of experience, Charles Sparks has a well-respected reputation in the interior design industry.

During my internship, I was also lucky to be able to attend Stitch, a fashion show hosted by the International Interior Design Association. Each design firm entered in the competition teamed up with a textile company to create a mask made only out of their materials. Charles Sparks + Company partnered with D.L. Couch and won an award for “Best Use of Materials.”

The creation of the mask was a team effort. I was involved in cutting hundreds of small ellipses made out of D.L. Couch wallcovering.

The pieces were then glued together to produce a very intricately designed mask.

INTERNSHIP

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This senior-level studio course covers the physical and psychological factors that impact hospitality environments. Students are expected to graphically demonstrate original and viable solutions. Research on human factors, codes, and lighting are combined with product mix and multi-sensory aspects of design to influence perceived value to the customer.

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ADVANCED SPECIALTY _ _ _

Hotel style, classification, and themes are examined for making appropriate design decisions as course content centers on the interrelationships between the elements of three-dimensional space planning, material/furnishing selections, contract specification, and detailing within hospitality environments.

Presentations are developed to reflect current industry standards for client presentations and sale center displays.

CAD III _ _ _

SPECIALTY DESIGN _____________

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Students successfully completing this course will be able to use Computer-Aided Design software to assist them in their three-dimensional project development. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the integration of computer technology into the design process and an introduction to BIM (Building Information Modeling) technology.

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SPECIALTY _ _ _

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Brussel Lounge

Brussel Lounge is located on the roof of the Be Manos Hotel in Brussels, Belgium, located in the heart of the city. The creation of this rooftop lounge is to be a place for hotel guests to congregate and enjoy a fun night with music and cocktails.

The back wall is the main feature of this bar. Inspired by the Atomium, it was originally constructed in 1958 for the World’s Fair held in Brussels.

The original Atomium structure stands 335 feet tall and has nine steel spheres representing the concept of the atom. The atom is the base of all sciences concerning matter and by taking apart those nine spheres, a new concept is created. Unraveling the shape embraces a playful backdrop for this lounge, making it the focal point. This piece of artwork has both form and function providing a meaningful purpose for the design while remaining visually appealing to customers.

Produced in Google SketchUp Enhanced in Photoshop

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Produced in AutoCAD All scales represent original scale

Produced in AutoCAD All scales represent original scale

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BRUSSEL LOUNGE BAR DETAILS

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Retail Shops & Restaurants

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Guest Room Suites

Gazebo & Deck Entertainment Area

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Living Area Foyer

Kitchen & Dining Area

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Old Homes, New Businesses

Since Long Grove is community driven, it would be a fun idea to host luncheons and activities at this location. The large gazebo and deck, located at the back of the house, add an extra 2,500 square feet to the structure. This would be great to host outdoor town events. Visitors can see just how close this town is to its surrounding cities and the sense of a warm community.

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Long Grove Bed & Breakfast

Town Square

360 Historical Lane is located directly off Old McHenry Road near downtown Long Grove. Just minutes away from the downtown area, it is tucked away on Historical Lane maintaining its privacy while still conveniently located near town.

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Public Parking

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By implementing a Bed & Breakfast into this community, it will attract more people from outside the area to come see what this quaint town is all about. There are no forms of lodging located in Long Grove, Illinois, so this location in the Historical District is perfect for visitors. This town has remained historic in the fact that none of the original homes have been knocked down. The old homes have been transformed into retail stores, restaurants, and galleries. The B&B is a wonderful way to keep a cozy environment while attracting new customers to the community.

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The village of Long Grove is located about 35 miles northwest of Chicago, Illinois. It is in southern Lake County, slightly north of Lake Cook Road. Nearby interstates include routes 94 and 53, both accessible to the Chicagoland area.

Travelers can also take the Metra into Buffalo Grove or Arlington Heights and then take a taxi to Long Grove, about ďŹ fteen minutes away.

Adaptive Reuse

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FLORA NIGHTCLUB

Georgia O’Keeffe’s spectacular talent of painting scenes in nature inspired the design of this nightclub. It is named Flora, meaning plant life occurring in a particular region. Georgia O’Keefe’s use of various brushstrokes and bold colors set the tone for designing Flora.

Its luxurious character makes customers feel as if they are royalty as soon as they walk through the door. The club is set up with clear and concise pathways for people to easily navigate their way through. The separation of employee areas from public areas helps to maintain a level of professionalism in this building.

By locating these employee areas upstairs and away from the public they have privacy to take care of business matters. Flora’s design uses sleek lines and deep-toned colors. Darker purples, blues, and grays contrasted with white create a high-end feeling while keeping a fun and young atmosphere. There are paintings of Georgia O’Keefe’s flowers hanging throughout the nightclub. The display of her work ties together with the design concept of a very elegant environment while still welcoming all age groups. The location of each individual space in the nightclub were precisely planned out to create the right kind of flow. Employee areas are located away from the public and the public areas are divided based on various crowds that will be using the facility. There is a VIP lounge located on the Mezzanine level, along with another bar and additional seating. There is ample amount of space backstage making it convenient for the performers to enter and exit the stage without it getting too congested. Flora Nightclub accommodates anyone from those looking for a relaxing dinner out, a wild night with live entertainment, or a private VIP experience.

Produced in Revit

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FLORA NIGHTCLUB

CAD III

Produced in Revit

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This course challenges students to use planning requirements to create universal and accessible designs.

Construction, electrical, and basic plumbing are taught with emphasis on these applications within residential kitchens. Industry relevant nomenclature and product information are used to create technical documents and custom aesthetic solutions.

This course teaches students how to design a bathroom according to industry standards. Inspecting the exterior of a house and understanding infrastructure, venting, plumbing, and electrical aspects are a foundation for this course. Inside the home, other observations are made to correctly place water supply pipes and wiring based on the condition of the walls and oors.

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This studio presents an in-depth study of the architecture and furniture developments of several major non-western cultures. Religious, philosophical, and social beliefs and customs are emphasized while construction methods, building materials, motifs, fabrics, and decorative arts are explored. Students work within teams to present their research on Middle Eastern, Asian, African, Mesoamerican, and North American cultures.

Projects include the development of furniture and accessory designs created through the fusion of world styles.

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BATH _ _ _

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KITCHEN _ _ _

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This comfortable and welcoming home embraces new trends and an updated style. The space upholds a family on the go, who often hosts parties for friends and family.

Whether surrounded by loved ones, or enjoying a quiet evening at home, this space accommodates all activity, even the family pet.

From textured walls to high end appliances, this house is the talk on the block for new and innovative designs. Organization and style go hand-in-hand in making this a successful kitchen. It welcomes dinner parties and wine tastings and an overall passion for cooking.

There is plenty of storage and a wine refrigerator located in the island. The open oor plan of this house gives the kitchen a much larger role. It is where the owners and guests spend most of their time. White cabinetry, sleek lines, and an achromatic color scheme collaborate to pull off an ambiance that the family will enjoy for years to come. In a kitchen full of whites and grays, red accessories serve as the perfect accent to give the space some spice. Incorporating different layers of lighting and natural light with the open plan makes the kitchen feel much more spacious. Beautiful down lighting under the cabinets are lit with LED lamps to show off stunning granite countertops while remaining energy efďŹ cient. They also serve as task lighting for food preparation.

Materials for this kitchen were carefully chosen, including low VOC paints, formaldehyde-free cabinetry, and rapidly renewable, durable hardwood. The combination of sustainable practices and proper aesthetics is the key to creating this inspiring kitchen.

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FONTE KITCHEN

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Produced in SketchUp Enhanced in Photoshop

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Produced in AutoCAD All scales represent original scale

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Thailand’s culture and religion is based largely around Buddhist traditions and has many Buddhist temples located throughout the country. This space is influenced

by Wat Phra Kaew, a significant temple located in Bangkok, Thailand. The temple is also known as the Temple of Emerald Buddha, because located inside on the golden alter is a twofoot tall statue of Buddha made out of jade. The interior of Phra Kaew is decorated with very elaborate detail and contains many rich colors. This design incorporates all of these elements and is a combination of elegance and comfort. The furniture has characteristics of straight, sleek lines as well as some curvy and whimsical features. Daylight is utilized to set the mood in this living space.

THAI INFLUENCE

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MILLER BATHROOM

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HISTORY OF DESIGN

Thank You...

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To my instructors for an amazing education. I would not be the designer I am without your knowledge and guidance.

To Charles Sparks + Company for giving me an incredible internship experience that will shape my future as an interior designer.

To my friends and family who have supported my career path and encouraged me to always pursue my passion.

And especially thank you to my mom for always inspiring me to work hard and be the best version of myself. If it weren’t for your love and encouragement I would not be where I am today.

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