Courtney Donovan-McCarthy
Courtney is a GTA based Interior Decorator with a passion for decorating and design. As well as creating spaces that are unique to everyone's specific needs by incorporating their interests and personality within the design. She insists that a home is meant to represent the people who reside inside, it is a form of expression of their true selves. Courtney is a recent graduated from Trent University where she obtained her Indigenous Studies degree upon receiving her Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Studies, she wanted to push herself to do something that always spiked her creativity and interests. Which is when she enrolled in the Interior Decorating Program at Humber College where she has currently graduated from and is a certified Interior Decorator. Courtney gained substantial amounts of knowledge and skillsets throughout her years of education, and confidently uses computer drafting programs, such as AutoCAD and Google Sketchup, As well as rendering with Photoshop and Illustrator. Courtney cannot wait to use her valuable skill sets and creative abilities assisting clients in creating spaces that are unique as well as showcasing her abilities to decorate based upon one’s specific needs. Courtney’s approach to design is classic with modern farmhouse influences but she loves to step out of her bubble and explore new styles. Although she likes to keep the palate neutral and timeless, she is not afraid to throw in some colour. She loves working with patterns, texture and layering to create a warm-hearted and appealing space but to also allow for the area to have an artistic appearance.It is important to Courtney that each and every space she works on, gets transformed into a Quaint Nest that is specific to each client and their family.
Renewed Bliss
This project was main objective was to transform a garage into a space that is universal for everyone to enjoy. Within this Garagia, I decided to use neutral colours , as well as accent colours (blues and greens).I implements LINEs, TEXTURE, SPACE, CONTRAST, MOVEMENT, EMPHASIS, BALANCE, & HARMONY/UNITY. Which will be seen through the flooring, furniture, artwork and the greenery space. My major goal for this project was to give this garage a vary FRESH vibe that signifies the new RENEWED BLISS area. I wanted to emphasis that this is a multi-purposeful that can me utilizes for all ages, whether it is working, getting creative or having a space to hang out with their friends. I chose to showcase some GEOMETRIC SHAPES that allow for the area to represent the unique flow of the woods, brass and gold finishes. as well as a neutral colour palette with hints of blue and green colours. This style was heavily implemented in the crafting area and the office area. The greenery was inspired by the unique FRESH inspiration, as well as nature. One of my favourite features was the greenery walls, as well as the refinished antique furniture colour, that I implemented in the space to highlight the OLD SPACE turned into a RENEWED BLISS.
Click to enlarge
Construction Plan.
Click to enlarge
Creative Sanctuary.
Click to enlarge
Office and Relaxation Space.
Click to enlarge
Common Living Spaces.
Click to enlarge
In Depth of Master, Kitchen and Living Room.
Click to enlarge
Fireplace Rendering.
Spreading Her Wings
For my recent Loft project, my clients consist of a family of 3. She is a 56-year-old supermodel who is recently divorce and is trying to navigate her new life as a single woman and mother. My Client is passionate about entertaining her celebrity status friends, as well as currently launching a new line of cosmetic products. Cole (son) is a 27-year-old real estate agent, who lives on his own and enjoys watching old movies. Jenna (daughter) is a 22-year-old, who is currently in college studying Fashion Design and enjoys shopping and designing her own clothing.My client is on a new journey in life as a recent divorcee, she’s mainly focused on herself and being a SOCIAL BUTTERFLY. This is a new horizon and gives Katie the opportunity to flourish and be who she wants to be with no limitations. Because of this, the immense emphasis on this loft is to reflect her current lifestyle but cater to her family’s needs as well.My major goal for this project was to give this loft a very SOCIABLE vibe to signify My Client’s life. I wanted to emphasize that she’s navigating life alone by adding FEMINITY and SOFTENING the interior with bright colours. We wanted to accommodate not only her, but her kids as well, although we faced the challenge of not only constructing a comfortable workspace for Jenna to design her clothing, but also providing a guest room specifically for Cole.With my client being an older supermodel and starting a new makeup line was very inspirational for us. Most people envision that after a certain age, life should be heading into a different direction compared to Katie’s new lifestyle. She stands out because she showcases BRAVERY and FEARLESSNESS; She’s breaking all barriers and “RESTARTING” life with a different outlook.ART DECO MODERN was the style that we really wanted to showcase in the loft. Art deco has a very SOPHISTICATED, HIGH-END look, which went perfect with Katie’s lifestyle. We chose to showcase a lot of GEOMETRIC SHAPES, brass and gold finishes, as well as pink and beige colours. This style was heavily implemented in the living room and kitchen area. The walls of the living room were an ART DECO inspired brick pattern panel. One of my favorite features was the fireplace. I finished the fireplace in Fitzgerald marble vinyl tiles, with an antique brass finish. Which made the living room area pop against the navy blue I chose to use for the wall, while also detailing the ART DECO theme. My Client's office was my favourite parts of the final design, her office implements all the elements that I wanted to convey through the home. It showcases who she is and where she is going, along with detailing her past. It supports her career, along with who she has become and who she will be in the future. The interior is very soft, feminine and incorporates the modern art deco style I was aiming going for.
Butler's Pantry
The Butler's Pantry was an assignment that I was assigned, my client was a doctor who is active during the Covid-19 Pandemic outbreak, who works closely with Covid Patients. The inspiration for this renovation was to minimize the transfer of germs and/or Covid-19 potential outbreak within the doctors home, which is why this Butler's Pantry is uniquely design to fit the needs of a kitchen with out large appliances, but also can be used as a regular Butler's Pantry in the future. Within my design I wanted to optimize storage, while still allowing for a prep, work and clean area. I added a bar sink, a Cove Dishwasher, as well as a Beverage fridge. As for custom millwork, I decided to add an open shelving unit that doubles as storage as well as incorporating a wine storage space.
Click to enlarge
Finishes Plan.
Click to enlarge
Butler's Pantry.
Click to enlarge
Section and Elevation.
Click to enlarge
Construction Plan.
Click to enlarge
Finishes Plan.
Click to enlarge
South & East Elevations.
Clean Slate
For my recent Bathroom renovation, My client for this project had a wonderful father who had wanted the recognition on doing her bathroom himself because he is in love with DIY projects. Although he did not have knowledge on how to do most project he ending up taking on. Which is when they quickly learned they were in need of assistance. Due to Covid-19 limitations were put in place and my client hand drafted the current plan. Based off of the plans, photos and brief information on her styles I were given, I then decided to add A UNQIUE MODERN FLAIR to the bathroom and and apply a lot of PATTERNS and TEXTURES within the materials, while still using a NEUTRAL COLOUR PALETTE to add BALANCE.
Ending The Stigma
Our clients consist of a family of 5. Mom is an Indigenous Canadian who is interested in teaching Indigenous Culture within Post Secondary School. As well as practicing the Spiritual Beliefs within her culture. She also loves Photograpy and showcasing the won- derful moments in time, specifically allowing her family to Express their Creative outlets. Dad is a Civil Engineer, who loves to Golf as well as Expressing his Creative Outlets throughout his Wood -Working. They also have 3 Children, who are 10, 6 and 4. The children Love the Outdoors. As well as are Very Ad- venturous, Active and Enjoy Expressing their Cre- ative Outlets. We dedicated this house to represent their personalities, as well as being Sophisticated and Elegant. We decided we wanted to incorporate specific principals and elements that we have viewed through out our research of Indigenous Cultural Artwork, as well as seen within unique structures. we implemented Line, Pattern, Texture, Colour, Geometric Shapes, Balance & Unity, Proportion and Emphasis. With the Playroom, we decided to go with the same SOPHISTICATED appearance as the rest of the house. Al-though we wanted to make it more appealing to the children within the household, which is why we decided to incorporate WALL PANELLING , similar to the STAIRCASE and LIVING ROOM as well as incorporate a CHALK BOARD which allow the children to have the CREATIVE FREEDOM to EXPLORE their creative abilities. We decided to go for a Watercolour Wallpaper to give the space a playful vibe. The ENTERTAINMENT WALL we decided to add within the playroom is the same basic design as the one in the living room although we incorporated more storage for the children's toys. We decided to add in a SNACK BAR so that the family can access it without having alot of traffic up and down the stairs to minimize staircase accidents, as well as it is a bonus when they decide to have movie nights The Wood Working area was design to allow the father to have a space where he is able to EXPRESS his CREATIVE abilities as well. We provided a lot of Storage within this space, because we did not want the tools to have to be displaced throughout the home. As well as isolating it from the other areas of the house to avoid transfering of wood shaving and dust, as well as to confine the paint and/or stain smell within one area of the home. We decided to use a lot of RAW MATERIALS, such as Stone and Wood and tried to give the space and INDUSTRIAL VIBE. For this Project I was partnered with Tatianna Davis.
EXPLORE OTHER THESIS PROJECTS
Ragini Shirwalkar
Living Spaces
Olga Llovet
Kitchen & Bath, Unique Spaces, Living Spaces, Details
Gabriela Sosa
Kitchen & Bath, Unique Spaces, Living Spaces, Details
Sayaka Takahashi
Kitchen & Bath, Unique Spaces, Living Spaces, Details
Shani Kanner
Living Spaces
Urvi Bharatkumar Oza
Unique Spaces, Details
Rajith Kunhi Parambath
Kitchen & Bath, Unique Spaces, Living Spaces, Details
Francesca De Rosa
Kitchen & Bath, Unique Spaces, Living Spaces, Details
Mariane Tiemi Kawamura
Living Spaces
Camryn Plantz
Kitchen & Bath, Unique Spaces, Living Spaces, Details
Setareh Abkar Esfahani
Unique Spaces, Details
Gustavo Posada Leal
Kitchen & Bath, Unique Spaces, Living Spaces, Details
Subin Kim
Unique Spaces, Living Spaces, Details
Brittanie A Fraser
Unique Spaces, Details
Heather Officer
Kitchen & Bath, Unique Spaces, Living Spaces, Details
Subin Song
Kitchen & Bath, Unique Spaces, Living Spaces, Details
Courtney Donovan-McCarthy
Kitchen & Bath, Unique Spaces, Living Spaces, Details
Isabela Lopes Morais
Kitchen & Bath
Alison Jones
Kitchen & Bath, Unique Spaces, Living Spaces, Details
Karla Juarez
Living Spaces
Karen Marcalla
Living Spaces
Andrea Zavala
Kitchen & Bath
Eveline Mitchell
Kitchen & Bath, Unique Spaces, Living Spaces, Details
Golda Allen
Kitchen & Bath, Unique Spaces, Living Spaces, Details
Isadora Ferronato
Kitchen & Bath, Unique Spaces, Living Spaces, Details
Lizandra Mundim
Kitchen & Bath
Lily Beatriz Chin Novelo
Kitchen & Bath, Unique Spaces, Living Spaces, Details