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Alanna Harley

Alanna Harley

Middletown, RI, US

 

About 

During my studies at Mount Ida College, I focused in on my love for residential design. Space planning, along with furniture and fabric selection and staging homes to a specific client's needs is what really gets me excited about interior design.
I currently work as a freelance design assistant for a company in lower Manhattan. I balance that with working at The Black Pearl, a widely known iconic waterfront restaurant in Newport, RI.
My work experience, along with my education and, especially, my international travels all impact my design aesthetic.
 

Employment 

STUDIO interior design, New York, NY, US, Freelance Design Assistant

Assist with residential AutoCAD drawings and space planning
FF&E research online and in-person shopping for client presentations
Communicate with vendors at show rooms for pricing and information on potential furniture selections
Manage vendor database
Maintain client accounts for shipping and billing purposes
Curated and styled two residential photo shoots

Apr 2012 - current
 

The Black Pearl, Newport, RI, US, Waitress and Hostess

Handle customer relations and complaints
Assist with special events to promote restaurant
Train other servers on food preparation in regards to customer allergies
Exhibited the ability to learn quickly through training as a hostess, bus girl and waitress
Built strong relationships with patrons and have developed a regular cliental
Learned to multi-task and adapt to a variety of situations in a high-end service environment

Aug 2005 - current
 

Taste Design Inc., Jamestown, RI, US, Design Intern

Executed architectural drawings focusing on space planning and elevations
Corresponded with vendors via e-mail and phone for FF&E research
Met with fabric vendors in-house for client selection
Visited showrooms to select tile, rugs, lamps, etc., for client presentations
Managed sample library including finish options, fabrics and wall coverings
Prepared visual aids to convey design options to clients

Nov 2010 - Feb 2011
 

Carolyn Schmitz, Decorative Painter, Newport, RI, US, Intern

Consulted on development of color story in residential and commercial settings
Learned decorative painting techniques and demonstrated them in clients' home
Assisted with show house staging including selection of furniture and space planning
Contracted on an event design project
Organized and scheduled event timelines
Responsible for staging and accessorizing event space
Hand made table centerpieces to achieve the exact look the client desired

Apr 2006 - May 2006
 

Education 

Mount Ida College, Newton, MA, US, Bachelors, Interior Design

Over four years of interior design studies, each semester focused on a different aspect of design: residential, office, retail, hospitality and renovation and reuse. Computer aided design skills were strengthened through every studio. Hand drawing and rendering were other tools learned in order to help present design ideas to clients.

Sep 2006 - May 2010
 

American InterContinental University (AIU), London, GB, Interior Design

Oct 2009 - Dec 2009
 

Areas of Specialization 

Skills