Design
Design is my tool to influence how people connect with their surroundings. I create versatile, unique, bold, and inspiring spaces. I believe the interior environment should be a reflection of individuality. A successful interior that matches function with aesthetics directly influences the users' personal growth. I strive to bring classic characters to life in a modern setting.
P
K A Y A M A L L E T T
Columbia, SC 29209 | kayamallett1015@gmail.com | 402-800-7477 | https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaya-mallett
The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
Bachelor of Human Environmental Sciences - Interior Design
Accreditation: CIDA EDUCATION
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Associate Designer, Ellen Taylor Interiors, Columbia, SC
May 2023
June 2023 - Present
Oversee multiple residential and commercial projects, delegating tasks to team members and coordinating efforts between crews and clients.
Conduct client meetings and site visits to monitor construction progress and installations.
Maintain detailed project documentation and client budget spreadsheets
Develop digital renderings, floor plans, material boards, and finish schedules, and assist in selecting finishes, materials, and FF&E
Manage proposals, purchase orders, invoices, claims, and repairs
Direct gallery operations, including opening and closing, inventory control, coordinating the calendar, scheduling meetings, and handling communications.
Design Intern, AI Corporate Interiors, Birmingham, AL
May 2022 - August 2022
Supported sales and design teams with pricing and FF&E selections for lead designers and clients.
Managed ordering, tracking, and installation for commercial environments. Participated in project meetings, site visits, and post-occupancy evaluations.
Created client presentations and proposals, collaborating closely with project management
Student Design Assistant, F+D The University of Alabama
August 2021 - August 2022
Collaborated with senior designers on construction documents and furniture plans for university capital projects
Coordinated office and design tasks, including library upkeep, sample/memo ordering, and fabric selection
Completed project closeouts and archived notes.
SKILLS
Revit
AutoCAD
SketchUp
Enscape
Microsoft Office/Adobe Suite
Project Management
Schematic Design
Furniture Specifications
Client and Vendor Relations
Material Knowledge
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Budgeting
Detail Oriented
Problem-Solving Organization
Communication
IIDA Campus Chapter President: Interior Design Student Association (IDSA) April 2022 - May 2023
Co-President & Senior Mentor: Mentor Society for Interior Designers (MSID) May 2022 - May 2023
01
Boho Grove | Residential
PG: 05
02
Shoreside | Residential
PG: 05
03
Chic | Residential
PG: 06-07
04
Law Firm | Commercial
PG: 08-09
An intimate residential project tailored for a young couple who worked from home, reflecting their eclectic organic aesthetic. I assisted in selecting finishes for the kitchen and living room, as well as using Revit to develop floorplans The design aimed to create an interactive space for hosting guests, featuring a curved banquette that seamlessly connected the living and dining areas I assisted in the furniture selection process and oversaw the installation
RESIDENTIAL | ELLEN TAYLOR INTERIORS | 2023
S H O R E S I D E
A lake house renovation focused on updating the kitchen for a family. They favored bold black-and-white contrasts and sleek, industrial elements. My responsibilities included creating detailed floor plans and renderings on Revit, assisting in the selection of FF&E, and developing material boards and finish schedules to enhance the design.
Chic involved a comprehensive renovation of a three-story townhome for a single realtor seeking a feminine oasis enriched by her French-inspired art collection. The design emphasized delicate forms and soft color palettes. I took field measurements, developed floor plans in Revit, and assisted in material and FF&E selection. My role extended to curating furniture packages, coordinating with the general contractor and subcontractors, and presenting design concepts to the client. Additionally, I prepared proposals, purchase orders, and invoices, maintained detailed accounting records, organized deliveries, supervised installations, and managed the project closeout process.
KITCHEN
1ST FLOOR 2ND FLOOR
3RD FLOOR
PARALEGAL + BOOKKEEPING TYPICAL
ATTORNEY TYPICAL
LARGE CONFERENCE
SMALL CONFERENCE
A commercial project was undertaken to design a new office for a law firm I coordinated with the senior designer’s space planning, creating floor plans and elevations using Revit, and curating furniture packages Throughout the process, I prepared presentations, assisted in selecting FF&E, and attended meetings and site visits with architects, general contractors, landscapers, and other subcontractors My role involved maintaining consistent communication with clients and staff, establishing a new relationship with an office furniture vendor thus opening an account for the firm I managed proposals, purchase orders, and invoices, oversaw deliveries and installations, and handled claims, repairs, and project closeout, ensuring a smooth transition to the new workspace
S T U D E N T W O R K
01
Gaia + Co | Restaurant
PG: 12-19
02
Citrine | Boutique Hotel
PG:20-25
03
Brewer Porch |Childrens Center
PG:26-31
G A I A + C O
Restaurant
New York City
2023 | 10,000 SQFT
Gaia + Co Restaurant offers high-end dining in New Yor City, featuring locally grown food in a farm-to-table experience that targets a younger, health-conscious clientele The restaurant is named after Gaia, the Greek goddess of Mother Earth The owners aim to create a trendy, elegant, and unique atmosphere, providing customers with an escape from the norm. They recognize the influence of social media on people's spending habit and want their design to reflect feminine qualities to hono the goddess Gaia. While not overly concerned with matching the menu, they seek to stand out with their catchphrase, "an elevated dining experience " To achiev this, the design concept of Horizons was chosen, referencin the Greek mythology pairing of Gaia with Uranus, the god the sky and heaven By uplifting customers' experience through the design, and bringing them back down to ear with the locally grown menu, Gaia + Co. aims to create memorable and unique dining experience.
User
200 5th Ave, New York, NY 10010
Population: 8,467,513
Median household income: $70,000
Median age: 36
53% Female
47% Male
Looking for a luxury dining experience Target Market
Attract a younger clientele aged 18-40
Healthy and environmentally conscious crowd
Use a strong social media presence
C O N C E P T
Studies show using blues and purples curb appetites. They are great in calm, intimate areas, especially drinking. Reds and oranges elevate the heart rate and promote eating
Flatiron Building Historic Monument Madison Square Park Community Center
Color Theory
Air
Comfort
Using architectural refuge and partitions I plan to use aterials with acoustics to eate private areas in the ning room
Mind
Using materials such as paint with no VOC. Furniture, food into a display integrate the menu
Light
The mood in the re will be dark with a lighting throughout a glow following m concept I will achieve this with LED lighting (the most energy-efficient) and natural lighting from the curtain wall
Using color theory in specific areas related to function. Color directly impacts a customer's mood
Water
Using high-efficacy toilets, sinks, and other features in the Kitchen will meet Green Restaurant Standards
isual Separation entional separation n open and secure
tractions ice areas are not osed erent dining experience options Easy navigation and clear pathways
Acoustics
Source sustainable sound-absorbing materials
Privacy Define different dining experiences with seating options and intimacy in mind
Flow
Create separation between staff and customers Establish clear egress and signage
Software: Revit Not to Scale
1. HOSTESS + ENTRY
2. DINING AREA 2
3. DINING AREA 3
4. DINING AREA 4
5. BAR
6. DINING AREA 1
7. COMMUNAL BOOTHS
8. RESTROOMS
9. SERVICE AREA
10. KITCHEN/ NIC
11. STAFF WATER CLOSET
2. COMPOST STATION + WASTE
D
With the concept of Horizons, I wanted to emphasize the detail in the ceilings compelling individuals in the space to look up Mirrors are used throughout the restaurant to give a sense of depth.
D I N I N G A R E A 4
Concept Sketch
A custom curved screen wall that will project changing "sunsets"
C I T R I N E
Boutique Hotel
Seville, Spain 2021
Boutique hotel Citrine has the fiery passion of a thousand flamenco dancers. Nestled in the neighborhood Alameda de Hercules in Seville, Spain; Citrine reflects strength, boldness, rhythm, romance, and years of tradition I utilized the colors present in the city on mosaics and buildings like the Alcazar palace as well as the rich reds on the dresses of the dancers. My designs follow the Romanesque architecture already present in the city with an emphasis on columns, vaulted ceilings, and dramatic archways Curvilinear forms and layering techniques seen in costumes, flowers, and fans are present carrying movement throughout the hotel.
R E S E A R C
Seville, Spain
Andalusian capital of the world
City accredited with the birthplace of traditional dance form: flamenco
Most tourists originate from UK, France and Germany
Site Location: La Alameda
Young and trending area of town featuring many tapas (bars), music venues, and flamenco shows
Flamenco
Community
I used palms and traditional Andalusian textiles to pay homage to the bold city. There is a communal courtyard in the center of the hotel inspired by Seville's Alcazar Palace
Curvilinear Forms + Layering
The ceiling design represents layering in Flamenco fans and the dancer's flowing dresses
Rhythm
I chose materials that had dynamic movement like the sharp steps in Flamenco
Third Floor Plan
Software: AutoCAD Not to Scale
Junior Suite Bathroom Elevations
Sensitivity
Designing for Special Populations
In the United States, 1 in 54 children has been diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder)
Designing for the senses is key Children with ASD need fewer stimuli
Mute noise with rugs, carpeting, and acoustic panels
LEDs and natural lighting Have lights on a dimmer.
Avoid patterns
Muted colors Greens and Blues
Use of wood grains, greenery, and other natural elements
Sensory Perception Room
Projector Plays ocean waves to promote a calm environment
Sensory Bubble Tube
These both soothe and catch the eye, developing visual skills
Bean Bags
Provide security as opposed to a regular chair since many autistic children have difficulties with knowing where their body is in space
C O N C E P T
Surfing
Software: AutoCAD Not to Scale
Entering the building is hitting the surface
Inspired by bubbles
C L A S S R O O M
A D D I T I O N A L
W O R K
Designs inspired by the coast for a spring collection Created using Adobe Illustrator and printed by Spoonflower
Software: Adobe Illustrator