MARIKA DEFILLO
BDH Design
Savage,USA
1
Certification
29
years of professional experience
Senior Interior Designer with 14+ years of experience delivering thoughtful, experience-driven environments across workplace and hospitality sectors. Proven leader in guiding projects from concept through construction, with a strong ability to translate client vision into cohesive, detail-oriented spaces that support comfort, functionality, and long-term usability. Skilled at creating welcoming, amenity-rich environments that prioritize user experience, well-being, and a sense of place, bringing a hospitality-driven mindset that naturally aligns with residential and community-focused settings. Known for balancing elevated design with practical execution, consistently delivering projects on budget and schedule. Active industry contributor through speaking engagements and involvement in leading design and real estate organizations.
Work History
Senior Interior Designer
9 Years 5 Months- Lead and coordinate all phases of the design process, from programming through construction administration
- Develop and present design concepts and documentation, translating client goals into cohesive visual and technical solutions
- Mentor junior designers and provide design oversight across project teams documentation.
- 3D Modeling (Revit, Enscape)
- Contribute to the development and coordination of construction document sets
- Review and redline construction documents to ensure accuracy, code compliance, and design intent
- Lead design and delivery of commercial interior projects ranging from 2,000–100,000 SF, consistently meeting budget and schedule objectives
- Serve as a primary client contact, leading presentations and guiding design decisions from concept through construction
- Manage project teams and coordinate with consultants, contractors, and stakeholders
- Develop strategic design solutions that improve space utilization and support hybrid work models
- Execute value engineering strategies to reduce project costs while maintaining design intent
- Design high-impact amenity spaces that enhance tenant experience and brand identity
- Participate in client interviews and proposal presentations contributing to new business pursuits
- Stay current on emerging design trends and industry best practices, applying insights to inform design strategy and elevate project outcomes
- Collaborate with project teams to manage budgets and ensure design solutions aligning with financial objectives
Interior Designer
2 Years- Supported client meetings and programming efforts to define project goals and requirements
- Developed space planning solutions for commercial workplace environments
- Created finish palettes and material concepts aligned with client branding and design intent
- Contributed to design development and coordinated construction documentation sets
- Assisted in the preparation and review of construction documents
- Selected and specified FF&E using CAP 20/20 software
- Developed SketchUp models and Photoshop renderings to communicate design concepts and support client presentations
Interior Designer
1 Year 7 Months- Maintained and curated the materials library to support project selection and design development
- Managed and updated vendor and representative databases to support sourcing and specification processes
- Participated in client meetings and programming efforts to define project goals and design direction
- Assisted in developing space planning solutions for restaurants
- Developed visual listening and design development presentations to communicate design concepts
- Produced SketchUp models and Photoshop renderings to support visualization and client decision-making
Interior Designer
1 Year- Double Tree Hilton à Bemidji, MN
- Developed SketchUp models to support visualization and client decision-making for hotel lobby and breakfast bar design concepts
- Assisted in the selection of finishes and furniture for hotel lobby environments, contributing to overall design development
- Hampton Inn à Duluth, MN
- Developed SketchUp models to communicate restaurant design concepts, supporting client presentations and decision-making
Interior Design Intern
3 Months- Assisted in developing residential interior concepts, including space planning and furniture layouts tailored to client needs
- Supported selection of finishes, furnishings, and materials to align with design intent and client preferences
- Maintained materials library and coordinated vendor samples and product sourcing
- Produced SketchUp models and Photoshop renderings to communicate design concepts and support client decision-making
- Prepared presentation boards and visual materials for client meetings
- Participated in client meetings and site visits, supporting project coordination and installation
Preschool Teacher
6 Years 6 MonthsRegistered Nurse
3 Years 3 MonthsStudent Nurse
4 YearsEducation
AAS - Interior Design
BS - Nursing
Skills
Programming
Space Planning
Schematic Design | Design Development | Construction Documentation | Construction Administration
FF&E Specification Building Codes & ADA Compliance
Client & Consultant Coordination
Client Presentations & Stakeholder Engagement
Design Leadership & Team Coordination
Budget Coordination & Value Engineering
Project Scheduling Awareness
Business Development Support
Design Visualization & Concept Development
Construction Document Quality Control
Revit
AutoCAD
Enscape (3D Modeling)
Microsoft Office (Word
Excel
PowerPoint)
AI Tools (concept development
rendering
and workflow optimization)
Bluebeam Revu
Procore
SketchUp
SpecBook Pro (Furniture) & CAP 20/20
Affiliations
- Member, NAIOP Minnesota
- Special Events Committee, 2023 – Present
- Awards Judge, NAIOP Special Events, 2023–Present
- Golf Tournament Event Host, 2023 – Present
- Firm Representative, NAIOP University Challenge (Sponsoring Firm), 2026
Certification
NCIDQ Qualification 2025
SPEAKING & INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT
- Presenter, MNCAR – Broker Basics, 2024 - Present
- Exhibitor Host, MNCAR Expo, 2022 – Present
- RE Journal MN | Panel of Select Speakers | Trends in Design, 2024
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & LEADERSHIP
- Project Lead, Special Olympics Minnesota Polar Plunge Fundraiser, 2026
- Secured project engagement and led design efforts supporting a statewide fundraising initiative
- Contribute to business development efforts through active participation in client interviews, proposal presentations and pursuit strategy for new work
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Messerli & Kramer Law Office, May 2026, Project Finalist, RE Journal Project Awards, Featured on Office Snapshots, Weis Builders | Head Office, May 2026, Project Finalist, RE Journal Project Awards, The Meritex Company | Head Office, February 2024, Featured Project, REJournals, Superhuman Office, June 2022, Project Winner, RE Journal Project Awards; Featured on Office Snapshots, Featured Project, Minneapolis–St. Paul Business Journal “Cool Offices” – Lead Designer, Tradition Capital Bank, Wayzata MN, August 2019, Featured Project, Minneapolis–St. Paul Business Journal “Cool Offices” – Lead Designer, Hero Heating, Plumbing, Cooling, November 2019, Featured Project, Minneapolis–St. Paul Business Journal “Cool Offices” – Lead Designer
Languages
Afrikaans
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Senior Interior Designer
BDH Design
01.2017 - CurrentRead More
Interior Designer
Unispace
12.2014 - 12.2016Read More
Interior Designer
Studio M Architects
05.2013 - 12.2014Read More
Interior Designer
Independent Contract Work (Peggy Ahles Design)
05.2012 - 05.2013Read More
Interior Design Intern
Addison Interior Design
02.2012 - 05.2012Read More
Preschool Teacher
Pumpkin Patch Childcare
09.2005 - 03.2012Read More
Registered Nurse
Johannesburg Hospital
01.2002 - 04.2005Read More
Student Nurse
Ann Ladsky Nursing College / Johannesburg Hospital
01.1998 - 01.2002Read More
Ann Ladsky Nursing College
BS from Nursing
Read More
Dakota County Technical College
AAS from Interior Design
Read More