Animal House HPU INTERIOR DESIGN FACULTY AND ALUMNI REDESIGN HUMANE SOCIETY LOBBY
Victoria Valentinas, HPU Class of 2012; Erin Stratford Owens, executive director of the Humane Society of the Piedmont; and Dr. Jane Nichols, chair and associate professor of interior design at HPU
Dr. Jane Nichols, chair and associate professor of interior design and director of High Point Design Institute, and Victoria Valentinas, HPU Class of 2012, recently volunteered to redesign and refurbish the lobby reception area for the Humane Society of the Piedmont.
The design centers on the idea that new pet owners coming to the facility are providing a ‘forever home’ for their new animals. The concept of the faux brick wall and ‘row-house’ door designs were developed by Nichols and Valentinas, owner of VLV Designs, who executed the custom painting. “Being asked to collaborate on the Humane Society of the Piedmont project with Dr. Nichols and High Point University was such an honor,” said Valentinas. “It was so rewarding to be able to use the skills I honed at HPU and to help bring joy and beauty to such a great cause, right in the middle of a pandemic. I am so grateful now, not only for the experiences HPU provided me with while I was a student, but also for the opportunities that they have referred to my business as an alumna.” The space looks like an urban park that welcomes both owners and pets and provides the sense of coming home. A graphic across the wall states, “Maybe we were born to roam, but Baby, there’s no place like home!” “We wanted to create a welcoming and whimsical place that demonstrates the mission of the Humane Society,” said Nichols. “And we wanted to spread the word about the great pet care the Humane Society provides to the community.”
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IN THE STUDIO 2020-21 DAVID R. HAYWORTH SCHOOL OF ARTS AND DESIGN HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY
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