ATHENA FRANKLIN
Washington,USA
Summary
Experienced senior interior designer and project manager with a focus on luxury residential and corporate retail projects for over twelve years. Recognized for creating interior environments that align with brand strategies and enhance customer experiences. Background includes visual merchandising leadership for Forever 21 and H&M in various regions. Expertise in financial reporting, profit optimization, and comprehensive project execution.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Interior Designer & Project Manager
Mosaic Home & Remodeling
01.2020 - Current
- Lead full-scope residential remodeling projects including kitchens, baths, and whole-home renovations. Direct all phases of interior architecture, AutoCAD and Revit construction documentation, finish development, space planning, and procurement. Produce detailed floor plans, elevations, reflected ceiling plans, finish schedules, and specification packages to guide contractor execution. Manage client consultations, budgets, schedules, contractor coordination, and installation execution. Resolve site challenges, manage change orders, and ensure adherence to design intent and construction standards while delivering high-touch residential environments through white-glove project management and installation oversight.
Founder & Principal Designer
620 Decor
01.2020 - Current
- Founded and lead a full-service luxury interior design studio serving residential, commercial, and private clients throughout the DC–Maryland–Virginia corridor. Direct concept development, schematic design, AutoCAD and Revit construction documentation, space planning, procurement, budgeting, fabrication coordination, and white-glove installation. Maintain preferred vendor partnerships to secure priority production timelines, preferred pricing, and premium installation standards. Serve as principal client liaison and project manager overseeing scope definition, timelines, budgets, change orders, and quality assurance while ensuring elevated design outcomes and repeat client engagement.
Creative Director
L’Ambience
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Served as creative director for luxury weddings and private event interiors. Directed full concept development, interior layout planning, vendor coordination, lighting design, staging, floral design, and installation execution. Managed budgets, vendor contracts, timelines, and on-site production teams to deliver high-touch guest environments with logistical precision.
Regional Visual Lead
H&M
DC, MD, VA
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Directed visual execution for flagship and regional stores throughout the DC–Maryland–Virginia region. Led store openings, window installations, campaign rollouts, and large-scale floor resets across locations ranging from 18,000 to 40,000 square feet. Partnered with regional leadership to ensure brand standard consistency and performance optimization.
Multi-Regional Visual Merchandising Manager
Forever 21
Washington State, DC, MD
01.2015 - 01.2018
- Oversaw visual merchandising strategy for sixteen-plus flagship and regional locations across Seattle, Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Directed store openings, relaunches, window installations, seasonal marketing floor sets, and omni-channel campaign rollouts across stores ranging from 20,000 to 45,000 square feet. Led quarterly business review reporting, profit and loss-aligned merchandising strategy, and return on investment performance analysis to optimize conversion, sell-through, and customer engagement. Managed and trained a regional team of six visual merchandisers and delivered over three million dollars in regional sales impact through conversion-driven merchandising programs and flagship launch initiatives.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Communication
Virginia State University
05.2008
Skills
- Creative thinking & innovation
- User experience research
- AutoCAD expertise
- Spatial arrangement
- Construction specs
- Eco-friendly design
- Adobe Creative Suite software
- Idea generation
- Model construction
- Design creation
- Material evaluation
- Furniture creation
- Brand strategy alignment
- Flooring knowledge
- Wall coverings
- Color theory fundamentals
- Attention to detail
- Furniture sourcing
- 3D modeling tools
- Client interaction
- Analytical skills
- Attention to detail
- AutoCAD proficiency
- Visual aesthetics
- Presentation design
- Digital imaging
- Interior architecture
- Design workflow
- 3D rendering
- CAD design
- Project coordination
- Merchandising displays
- Sales proficiency
- Art historical expertise
- Architectural detailing
- Cost analysis
- Product requirements
- Financial planning
- Supplier identification
- Marketing assistance
- Space planning techniques
- Presentation design
- Product curation
- Interior design
- Product design
- Concept development
- Presentation board design
- Showroom setup
- Color application
- Collaboration
- Analytical thinking
- Time optimization
- Precision focus
- Analytical thinking
- Task prioritization
- Rendering
- Attention to detail
Certification
- AutoCAD Certification
- Revit Certification
INTERESTS
Luxury Interior Architecture, High-End Residential Design, Boutique Hospitality Design, Branded Retail Environments, Global Travel & Cultural Design Influence, Sustainable Design Practices, Art Direction, Client Experience Strategy, Mentorship & Creative Leadership
Additional Information
INTERESTS
Luxury Interior Architecture • High-End Residential Design • Boutique Hospitality Design • Branded Retail Environments • Global Travel & Cultural Design Influence • Sustainable Design Practices • Art Direction • Client Experience Strategy • Mentorship & Creative Leadership
Languages
Spanish
Full Professional
Timeline
Senior Interior Designer & Project Manager
Mosaic Home & Remodeling
01.2020 - Current
Founder & Principal Designer
620 Decor
01.2020 - Current
Creative Director
L’Ambience
01.2018 - 01.2020
Regional Visual Lead
H&M
01.2018 - 01.2020
Multi-Regional Visual Merchandising Manager
Forever 21
01.2015 - 01.2018
Bachelor of Arts - Communication
Virginia State University