ABOUT ME
New York City www.linkedin.com/in/marinakeator marinaoakleycreative@gmail.com 413-834-7107
EDUCATION
Belmont University | 2020-2024:
O’More College of Architecture and Design
B.F.A. in Interior Design | Summa Cum Laude
HONORS
Alpha Chi Honors Society: Gaston Noelle Scholarship Nominee Spring 2023 | Belmont University
O’More College Award for Achievement in Sustainability Nominee Spring 2023 | Belmont University
Alpha Chi Honors Society Fall 2022 | Belmont University
LEADERSHIP
IIDA Chapter President 2023 - 2024 | Belmont University
IIDA Chapter Vice President 2022 - 2023 | Belmont University
DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
I am a design professional with a strong foundation in luxury residential interiors, material sourcing, and client relations. I am known for exceptional organization, product knowledge, and client care. I am passionate about textiles, finishes, and the role they play in elevating every project.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Shana Shaiman Interiors: High-End Residential Design
Interior Designer and Project Manager: June 2025 - Present (New York, NY)
• Oversee and manage 7+ projects in various stages of the design process
• Served as sole designer and project manager during the principal designer’s maternity leave
• Source luxury furniture, lighting, textiles, and finishes aligned with project concepts and client vision
• Act as primary liaison between clients, vendors, contractors, and trades to ensure seamless execution
• Manage procurement, order tracking, quality control, and vendor communications
• Office and calendar organization, management, and scheduling.
• Develop presentations and visual schemes for client approvals
• Maintain detailed project schedules and documentation across all phases
• Lead site visits and coordinate installations, deliveries, and approvals
Darci Hether New York: High-End Residential Design
Junior Designer: June 2024 - June 2025 (New York, NY)
• Sourced furniture, fabrics, lighting, and finish materials for residential projects
• Managed vendor correspondence, pricing requests, and sample logistics
• Created design drawings, furniture plans, and presentation materials
• Coordinated with contractors and vendors to maintain timelines and specifications
• Supported client communications, proposals, and project administration
• Supported business development efforts to generate new projects and expand the client network
Virtue Modern: High-End Residential Design
Contracted Designer: June 2023 - June 2024 (Nashville, TN)
• Served as the sole company designer during the 4-month leave of the senior designer on staff
• Attended builder trade shows and connected with sales representatives.
• Collaborated with architects and designers on large-scale residential projects
• Developed design concepts, specifications, and finish selections
• Created and produced 3D models and visual presentations for client review
• Presented project updates in weekly design meetings
Alcott Interiors: Residential Design
Design Intern: August 2022 - April 2023 (Nashville, TN)
• Worked for a licensed designer at a boutique residential firm.
• Utilized AutoCAD to design floor plans, furniture layouts, tile drawings, and elevations.
• Managed the materials room to ensure ease of access for all employees
• Worked within the Studio Designer database to create specification sheets and finish schedules.
• Collaborated with material representatives to order necessary samples based on stock and pricing.
Senior Thesis
PROFESSIONAL WORK 01
CT RESIDENCE
This project was completed during my time at Darci Hether New York. My primary responsibilities included creating the full set of project drawings, including detailed custom furniture drawings, assisting with textile and material selections, and overseeing the project installation alongside the principal designer.
FIRST FLOOR PLANS / HIGHLIGHT SPACES
Rooms worked on:
- Family Room
- Breakfast Room
- Dining Room
- Formal Living Room
- Kitchen
- Office
FORMAL LIVING ROOM:
Four custom pieces were designed for this space:
- Custom Tête-à-tête
- Custom Bench
- Custom Coffee Tables
DINING ROOM:
Dining Room Elevation A---
Furniture & Materials ---
Post Installation Photo ---
SECOND FLOOR PLANS / HIGHLIGHT SPACES
Materials Scheme ---
Rooms worked on:
- Primary Bedroom
- Primary Bathroom
- Guest Bedrooms 1,2,3
- Her Office
PRIMARY BEDROOM:
Three custom pieces were designed for this space:
- Custom Winged Bed
- Custom Curved Nightstands
- Custom Chaise Lounge
Primary Bedroom Render A ---
02WORK
PROFESSIONAL
VEGAS RESIDENCE
High-End Residential New Build
Located: Las Vegas, NV
Build Date: Estimated 2025
Square Footage: 31,000sqft
For this project I was responsible for leading the following rooms:
• The Wine Room
• Main Floor Powder
• Butler’s Pantry
• Dog Wash & Laundry
• Outdoor Kitchen
• Second Floor Powder
Located directly between downtown Las Vegas and Red Rock Canyon, the Summit Club is a one of a kind community which bridges luxury with intimate community.
The client wanted this home to feel like a spaceship that had crash-landed on Earth. This idea of a crash-landing is reflected through the colliding landscape and the angular elements of the facade. Both the interior and exterior of the house take on the feel of a clean modern spaceship, while still evoking a sense of home. The design also has several unexpected nods to 80ʼs and 90ʼs sci-fi movies which users of the space can try and identify.
THE WINE ROOM
Designed not only as a functional tasting room but also as an abstract piece of art showcasing wines from the client’s personal vineyard, the space features a hanging cow fixture that playfully alludes to alien abduction. Meanwhile, the wine display is intended to replicate a portal to another universe n.
Renderings by Marina Keator Sketch Up + Enscape
THE POWDER BATH
The main floor powder bath is designed to transport the user to the planet Uranus. Referred to as the sideways Ice Giant, Uranus is the only planet in our solar system that rotates on a vertical axis. All the line details in the space follow the same orbit angle.
Renderings by Marina Keator Sketch Up + Enscape
THE BUTLER’S KITCHEN
While not visible to the public, the Butler’s Kitchen & Pantry is designed to be simple and functional, incorporating design elements from other areas of the house. The material choices ensure continuity with the adjacent show kitchen, as well as the dog wash and laundry, unifying the three spaces.
Renderings by Marina Keator
Sketch Up + Enscape
SENIOR THESIS 03
Photoshop + Sketchup + Enscape
THE BELOVED COMMUNITY
Objective: Over the course of two semesters, identify a design problem, develop a design proposal based on data-driven research, and apply design theories to execute the solution.
CREATIVE WORKS
POTTERY PROJECTS
In my personal time I love to create my own pottery pieces for friends and family to enjoy! See some of my completed works below.
UNIVERSITY PROJECTS
ENNEAGRAM STAIRCASE
The objective was to create a staircase that served as both a functional staircase and an abstract representation of our enneagram type.
As an enneagram six, much of my stress comes out as anxiety around the unknown. Therefore, the concept is centered around the idea that you never know what is right around the corner.
THE LEGENDS PROJECT (PT. 1)
The aim of this project was to research our ancestral culture and choose a myth or legend to create a conceptual representation. The models were then built using a bypass system composed of primary, secondary, and tertiary elements Derived from the native Canadian legend of the lake monster Ogopogo, my concept was centered around the First Nation Peoples’ value of protecting the environment to support future generations.
THE LEGENDS PROJECT (PT. 2)
After creating our original model, we were required to combine models with two others from the class while maintaining the bypass system. We then had to write a legend that incorporated all three ancestral stories.
THANK YOU.
MARINA KEATOR