​COMMERCIAL PROJECTS

This is one of Heather’s favorites and her most fulfilling project because of how it came together and the impact it will have on current staff and students, and future generations of the McKinley community. 

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Heather’s daughter began kindergarten at McKinley Elementary in September 2018.  Soon after, Heather decided to participate in McKinley’s Parent Teacher Club (PTC) to get involved in projects that benefit the school. It was at the very first meeting she attended that the Beautification Committee announced that the school would be remodeling the library. What a perfect project for Heather to get involved in! Prior to starting her own business, Heather worked in both residential and commercial interior design firms, and at the time of this meeting, she was employed at a commercial firm that specialized in projects including office design, healthcare, and military. She immediately went to the Beautification Committee meeting and offered to spearhead the 4,000 square foot project. Heather met with Deb Ganderton, the principal at the time who retired in June 2021, and it was decided to get the kids of the school involved as well. A student library committee was organized, and Heather created a design lesson to teach the kids about the principles of design. These lessons included definitions and images of contrast, emphasis, repetition and pattern, variety, proportion and scale, balance, harmony and unity. Once the kids understood the basics of design, Heather treated the student committee like a client and presented different schemes to them to consider.  The kids selected the furniture, flooring, fabric, and paint that was used throughout the library.

Heather used her connections and resources within the interior design industry to get carpet 100% donated from Interface Flooring, 50% off commercial grade furniture, 50% off paint from Sherwin Williams, and McKinley was not charged for any of Heather’s time and interior design. These discounts and donations brought a $200K project down to $60K, making the endeavor within the school’s budget. The new library was constructed during the summer of 2022, by a team that was entirely comprised of parent and community volunteers who came together for the various stages of construction. From packing up books at the start of the summer, all the way through demo, construction, carpet removal, building the custom circulation desk and custom bookcases, painting, and putting up the last piece of artwork at the beginning of fall 2022. The efforts and hard work of each and every volunteer made this project materialize. The hard work of these volunteers created a space that will be used and enjoyed by generations of McKinley students, staff, and associates for years to come. 

A very special thanks goes to Nancy Flores, who was the school foundation president at the time of the design process. Nancy did an enormous amount of volunteer work for the project management. She was also present with Heather every weekend over the summer to do the work associated with the construction. Without her positive attitude and incredible work ethic, this project would not have come together as smoothly as it did.

To read more about the McKinley Library story, navigate to the “Press” page on Vitti Interiors website!

Heather would also like to thank:

Matt Probst; Interface Flooring for the carpet donation. 

Lisa Hexom; System Source for deeply discounting furniture. 

John Dumesnil & Almira and; Sherwin Williams for half off of all paint.

Bret Wikander; Sit on It Seating, for donated fabric. 

Scott Basile; Basil Photography for donating his time to take the final interior pictures of the project.

Camille Camacho Darder; Camille Camacho Photography for donating her time to take pictures of the ribbon cutting. 

“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much” – Helen Keller.