Utah Interior Designer develops a relationship of trust and friendship with clients

Katelyn Cherala can’t remember the moment when she found the field of interior design. In fact, she thinks it somehow found her. “In high school I loved designing and being creative. I remember exploring graphic design, marketing, fashion and interior design. And then I blinked, and it was 2014 and I was graduating from BYU-Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design.”

This long-time interest in graphic design and marketing translates well into Katelyn’s day-to-day activities. She has found it’s essential to be tech savvy to be able to create 3D renderings, elevations, floor plans, and virtual reality tours. “It’s my job to listen and take note of a client’s design wishes. Using my knowledge of building codes, I can draw upon my own creativity, experience and available resources to create a cohesive aesthetic.”

Whether drawing elevations or millwork details, selecting finishes or putting together a digital vision board, Katelyn loves the variety of day-to-day tasks. At any one time, she and the CMA Interiors team are working on a variety of large and small projects. The team prides itself in developing a relationship of trust and friendship with each client. “We truly care about our clients and want them to enjoy the design process just as much as their finished buildings.”

Katelyn draws inspiration from different cultures and historical architecture. Structures like the Hagia Sophia, Golden Temple, Sagrada Familia, Musee du Louvre and the Jokhang Temple are not only beautiful, but the stories behind each architectural masterpiece make Katelyn feel connected to history.

It was while working on an international project that Katelyn found herself most challenged. Sourcing local materials and furnishings for the Durban South Africa LDS Temple required an intense amount of coordination. “From the currency and using the metric system to lighting voltage, everything was different from what I was accustomed to,” explains Katelyn.

The satisfaction of a job well done is of deep importance to Katelyn. “It’s not about us. Our goal is to create a solution that not only supports the vision of a client but also considers how users will experience the spaces.” It’s a passion everyone at Curtis Miner Architecture shares.