Interior Design Portfolio

MARIADEES

ABOUT ME

Hi! My name is Maria Dees and I am an Interior Design student at Dakota County Technical College. My journey to this point has been anything but linear.

In 2019, I graduated from The University of St. Thomas with a B.A. in Business Administration. While my time in the business field provided valuable experiences, I couldn't help but feel that something was missing. It was apparent that I needed to pursue my passion: interior design.

For me, design is simple, empathetic, and mindful. It is a collaborative and emotional process of understanding and communication, forever growing and ever-changing. My goal as a designer is to create spaces that are intentional, balanced, and provide comfort - enhancing the well-being of those who interact with them.

Linear or not, I have found my path, my passion, and my purpose. Thank you for taking the time to get to know me and review my portfolio. I'm excited to see where this career leads and to continue sharing my passion for design.

Thank you!

Education A.A.S. Degree - Interior Design

Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount, MN

2022-2024

Dean’s List: Three Semesters

4.0 GPA

B.A. Degree - Business Administration

Minor - French

University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN

2015-2019

Dean’s List: Seven Semesters

3.8 GPA

Work Experience

iSpace Environments - Minneapolis, MN

Interior Design Intern

Dec. 2023 - Present

Vela Interior Design - Excelsior, MN

Administrative/ Studio Assistant

Feb. 2021 - Sept. 2022

Launch 2 Retail - Minneapolis, MN

Account Coordinator

June 2019 - Feb. 2021

NEEL CONDO

Inspired by their home in Seattle, Washington, the Neel's condo at The Grand will honor the landscapes that surround them. Known for its unique blend of natural beauty and urban energy, the design aims to capture the essence of the city while creating a welcoming and functional space. Specifically, the design will draw on the lush Western Hemlock trees, expansive Puget Sound, and the breathtaking Mount Rainier.

To achieve this, natural materials like walnut wood finishes will be prominently featured throughout the space alongside soft velvet and boucle, evoking the feeling of being surrounded by the dense forests of the Pacific Northwest. The color palette will be rich and earthy, with deep blues and greens, warm browns, and touches of silver – reflecting the city's often-overcast skies. Warm layered lighting throughout the space will juxtapose cool exterior grays. And pattern and shape will mimic the waves in the Sound and the sharp angles of the surrounding mountain ranges.

Aspects throughout the design will speak to Sara's individual passions of reading and herb gardening and Ryan's passions of listening to old records. And with a shared love of traveling, coffee, and wine, there will be a focus on creating unique vignettes to display collections from their travels and cozy seating to relax at the end of each day.

Kitchen Selections

Dining Selections

Master Bath Selections

Notes:

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PT-1 Al Wals-UNO

WC-2 MS-1Instal3 FFFto5 FFF PT-1

Paint5 FFFtoFulHeght

WC-3 LapidaryWhiteMarbe nstaled

FFFto6 WalnutTrim6 to64" Coud Walpaper64"toFul Height(SeeFF&E)

WC-4 LapidaryGreenMarbleInstaled

Lighting Plan

FFFto6 PT-3Paint6 toFul Height(See FF&E)

WC-1

WC-2

NKBA KITCHEN

The kitchen remodel for Andre and Simone's suburban New Jersey home aims to transform one of their most used spaces by fostering a harmonious blend of mid-century aesthetics and contemporary functionality, with the addition of Fisher & Paykel appliances. The 1963 raised ranch kitchen, with its mid-century architectural charm, will be revitalized to cater to the unique needs of this modern, active family.

The central focus of the kitchen remodel is to create an open and functional space that accommodates the family's love for cooking and gathering. The introduction of a kitchen island will not only expand the workspace, but will also serve as a versatile hub for family meals. The island will accommodate seating for four, providing a casual and inviting atmosphere for quick bites or family breakfasts. Relocating the microwave to install an integrated cabinet-face hood over the gas cooking range will enhance both the aesthetics and functionality of the kitchen. The design also incorporates innovative storage solutions, including a dish drawer, multiple pantry’s and vertical-stacked double-drawer base cabinets, optimizing the available area without compromising on style.

Inspired by mid-century color palettes, the design will introduce statement colors of mustard yellow and deep blues. These lively tones will be complemented by the richness and warmth of wood cabinetry, creating a visual cohesiveness that not only pays homage to the home's historical roots, but also infuses a contemporary twist. Simone's vision of integrating elements inspired by modern art will come to life through meticulously selected fixtures, finishes, and decor.

PAVE CITY RELIEF

The Pave City Relief Third Place Pop-Up design will be a testament to the values of compassion, connection, and community - offering respite and asenseofbelongingforthehomelesspopulation.

inspiration from the diverse community that this project will e space will feature flowing, amorphous lines and shapes that thoneanother,muchliketheuniquenessofeachindividualand -evolving nature of communities. To create this fluidity, n-inspired walls, which are malleable and moveable, will create ateservicespacesandpublicgatheringspaces.

n’scolorpalettewillberootedinneutraltoneswithpopsofvivid e neutral tones will help to create a sense of calm and stability, addition of bright colors will enliven the space and further aid in g. These splashes of color are not just visual; they represent the nd interconnected tapestry of lives that come together in this

City Relief Third Place Pop-Up will be a space where individuals are recognized for their inherent worth, where bonds are forged, and wherethecommunitycomestogethertosupportoneanother.Thedesign will be a celebration of the resilient spirit of this community, demonstrating that in unity, it can overcome challenges and thrive together.

Tech Services

BlockDiagram

Entry Retal Servces

Food Services Entry

Entry

BubbleDiagram Entry Entry

nfo/ Gathering

Lounge

Medca Services Medical Services

Entry Retai Services

Services Legend

Adaptability is of the utmost importance to this Pave City Relief Pop-Up Design. The accordion-like walls allow for a multitude of layouts to fit anygivenlocation,whetheritbeaparkplazaoracitysidewalk.Foreasy wayfinding, each “bubble” or space will be color coded. Chair colors and unique icons will coordinate with each spaces’ primary function. Circulation is prioritized for ease of movement, line management, and accommodatingalargenumberofpeople.

Soca Servces

MedicalServices

SocialServices

Retail

Tech.

Restroom Circulation

REVERIE

At the heart of the restaurant, Rêverie, a journey through time and space unfolds as we draw inspiration from the captivating art movement of panoramas that enchanted audiences in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Robert Barker, an Irish-born painter coined the term “Panorama”, from the Greek pan (all) and horama (view); also creating animmersiveviewingexperienceforguestsinapatentedrotundadesign.

Just as the panoramas of the past transported observers to distant realms, our interior design concept aims to evoke wanderlust, inviting patronstoembarkonaculinaryjourneythroughcarefullycuratedspaces thattranscendtheboundariesbetweenrealityandimagination.

The walls, adorned with meticulously crafted panoramic wallpapers by Ananbô, become portals to diverse landscapes, each telling a unique story and recreating the awe-inspiring effect that panoramas once had on their audiences. The carefully selected imagery serves as a visual symphony that harmonizes with the sophisticated fare on offer. Lighting, inspired by the natural play of light in panoramic paintings, will bathe the space in a warm and inviting glow. Subtle variations in intensity will evoke the passage of time and the shift from day to night. Furniture and décor, carefully curated to complement the design concept will reflect the eleganceandopulenceofthisearlyera.Richtextures,luxuriousmaterials, and nods to historical elements will create a harmonious blend of the classical and the contemporary. Rêverie is not just a restaurant; it's an artistic journey, a sensory exploration, and a celebration of the timeless allureofpanoramas.

Panoramas-A19thCenturyVirtualReality

Panoramaswereextremelypopularinthelate18thandearly19thcenturies.Apanoramawasalargecircularpaintingthataimedtogivetheviewer the experience of being physically present in the scene being depicted, whether that was a landscape, a city, a battle or other historical event. Panoramas served as mass entertainment, popular education and propaganda. Visiting them was more like going to the theatre or the opera than toanartgallery.Attheirbest,panoramasprovidedconvincingillusionsofthereal,transportingtheaudiencetoanotherplaceandtime.

In 1787, Robert Barker was granted a patent for his invention of “an entirely new contrivance or apparatus…for the purpose of displaying views of natureatlarge,byoil-painting,fresco,water-colours,crayons,oranyothermodeofpaintingordrawing.”

“My invention, called La nature à coup d’oeil [nature at a glance], is intended, by drawing and painting, and a proper disposition of the whole, to perfect an entire view of any country or situation, as it appears to an observer turning quite round; to produce which effect, the painter or drawer mustfixhisstation,anddelineatecorrectlyandconnectedlyeveryobjectwhichpresentsitselftohisviewasheturnsround,concludinghisdrawing byaconnectionwithwherehebegan.Hemustobservethelightsandshadows howtheyfall andperfecthispiecetothebestofhisabilities”

Main Dining Se

Bar/ Lounge Selections

Private Dining 1 Selections

Potoaan Lmewash-Guu

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CaacataVoaCouneop

CHESTER HOME

James and Mary Chester are a quirky and fun retired couple that live in Nashville, TN. They are looking to build a lake home in a nearby county. The Chester's enjoy spending time with friends and family, thus the home must be large enough to accommodate all ten family members at one time, as well as friends who will stay for extended visits. It is pertinent that the view of the lake be prioritized so that everyone in the home can enjoy theviewfrombothpublicandprivatespaces.

The couple have a love for reading and music. They have an extensive collection of books and instruments that require hidden and open storage. Two large art pieces will need to be displayed somewhere in the home,alongwiththeir6'tallgiraffestatuefromtheirtravels.

Originally from upstate New York, James and Mary maintain an eclectic, yet contemporary style and would like this to be reflected in the design of their home. Pulling from their love of music, the design will be based on the sound waves heard in music. Imagine for a moment the rhythmic ebb and flow of music that brings about a sense of calm and the quiet reverberations made as sound moves through a space—this is the aim of the design. With this concept in mind, details such as rounded wall corners that mimic sound waves, the prominent colors of black and white as seen on sheet music, the rich walnut/mahogany tones of a Steinway & Sons piano, and bits of added flare in the furnishings and material selections ensure that the Chester's music-focused lifestyle and fun personalitiesarefeltthroughouttheirhome.

MARSHALL GROUP

MARSHALL Group is a small, yet thriving market research company. They are planning to relocate from their current location to a 4-story class "B" building. MARSHALL Group represents many clients, and it must be able to accommodate varied tasks within the space. The office must be comfortable and encourage productivity; image for its own sake is not desired.

Given MARSHALL Group's place within the market research industry, the design concept stems from the idea of a magnifying glass--the icon or image you might see when browsing the internet in pursuit of questions, ideas, or answers. With this image in mind, the concept will be focused on the juxtaposition between transparency and privacy. The use of clear ribbed glass panels, window film, felt dividers, and acoustic baffles will help to create this effect. Muted shades of blue, burnt orange, and raspberrypink--thebrandingofMRG'scompany--willbebalancedwith natural wood elements throughout the space ensuring an overall feeling ofwarmth.

DRAFTING

AutoCAD Custom Bathroom

Revit Home: First Floor

Revit Home: Second Floor

SKETCHES