Welcome to my e-folio! 

My name is Catherine Deutschlander, and I am a Certified Interior Designer (CID), Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS), Accessibility Specialist through the state of Minnesota (MN-AS), and a Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer (CKBD).  I have many years' experiences in residential and commercial interior design.  My commitment to client satisfaction is enhanced through excellent communication skills and unparalleled dependability.  I believe great design is like poetry captivating your very essence. 

"Sometimes everything has to be; inscribed across the heavens so you can find the one line already written inside you" - David Whyte

I pride myself in keeping the whole picture in mind when finalizing the details.  It ultimately should be an enjoyable and pleasant experience for the client. 

Employment History

  • CW Design PLLC is a women-owned design company for all people.  We believe in integrity, family, passion, and legacy are the keys to a successful life.  As the owner of the company, I have autistic children and intimately aware of the complex nature of having special needs.  I understand how important it is to make the home unique for every member of the family.  Our team has worked with many individuals from aging in place, clients ready to update their kitchen or bathroom, to someone with special needs.  We believe the home should fit the client(s) not have them adapt to the home.... From a DIY needing help with selections to a contractor who would like drawings only, and a client wanting a kitchen remodel.  CW Design PLLC understands your needs and adjusts according to your lifestyle.  Please review our website for greater detail and to get in contact.  

    • Worked with County Case Managers and Lawyers on Workmen Compensation cases to meet the clients' unique needs. I integrated access, safety, and ease of maintenance to design a solution with the highest possible level of dignity and independence for the client.

    • Remained in the client's budget and/or inform appropriate people of the exceeding amount.

    • Determined, at the home assessment meeting, which areas needed modification based on the client need on access, safety, and providing them independence.

    • Created and provided Bid Packages for contractors and clients. Met with them at the client's house to review the project in greater detail.

    • Designed drawings layouts to meet the clients' needs based on the home assessment meeting.

    • Educated the Case Manager based on the accessibility requirements for the client

    • Worked as a part of a select team to design the "Elevations" Showroom; a division of ABC Cabinetry

    • Coordinated the cabinetry installs with Carpentry Contractors Company (CCC)

    • Coordinated the countertop installs with Innovative Surfaces

    • Designed cabinetry layouts in compliance with clients' and contractor vision

    • Assisted with the cabinetry and countertop selections

    • Ordered cabinets and countertops

    • Prepared proposals and installation packets

    • Coordinated the craftsmen, subcontractors, and schedules

    • Designed cabinetry layouts in compliance with clients' vision

    • Prepared proposals

    • Ordered cabinets, countertops, flooring, hardware, and window treatments

    • Assisted clients with selections

    • Prepared installation packets

    • Determined estimations based on wants; revisions based on budgets

    • Designed cabinetry layouts in compliance with clients' and architects' visions

    • Prepared schedules, designs, furnishings, and relocation requirements for space planning projects

    • Inputted final cabinetry layouts into CNC machine

    • Created the kitchen and bath designs for the multiple award-winning Sunset Knoll Project

    • Designed cabinetry layouts in compliance with NKBA standards

    • Compiled clear, concise install packages for cabinetry installers

    • Collaborated with clients to coordinate appliances and plumbing fixtures into their floor plans

    • Coordinated installation scheduling of plumbing fixtures, cabinetry, and counter-tops

    • Completed over 50 corporate relocation projects on time and within budget

    • Managed budgeting, scheduling, design, furniture specification, furniture installation, and personnel relocation requirements for corporate relocation projects

    • Researched programming requirements, drafted conceptual and working drawings, created installation and move plans, and distributed post-occupancy evaluations

    • Organized schedules of clients, vendors, movers, and installers

    • Designed preliminary through final floor plans

    • Established budgets, assessed client's inventory needs and wrote purchase orders

    • Coordinated schedules with move/install department and voice/data department

    • Facilitated and oversaw the designing of a Cafeteria and SW Entrance

    • Designed employee's workstations

    • Oversaw employee's mishaps and printed their posters and banners

    • Designed floor and wall details

    • Created space planning layouts

    • Wrote product specifications

Skills

    • AutoCAD

    • 20/20 Design

    • Knowledge of ADA and Building Codes

    • Knowledge of NKBA Codes

    • Specifying Herman Miller and Steelcase Furniture

    • Understanding Construction Documents and Specifications

    • Reading blueprints and floorplans

    • Building and Maintaining Client Relationships

    • Written and Verbal Communication

    • Project Management

    • Meeting Deadlines and Controlling Budgets

    • Accepting Responsibility and Making Decisions

    • Organizing and Presenting Ideas

    • Planning and Design

    • Motivating and Directing Others

    • Evaluating Options and Solving Problems

    • Flexible

    • Results-oriented

    • Dependable

    • Punctual

    • Energetic and Self-motivated

    • Quick-Learner

    • Team Player

    • Logical Thinker

Education Background

  • I have learn presentation standards, construction and mechanical systems, basics of kitchen and bath design, materials and estimation, lighting, universal design and theme application, business practices for kitchen and bath designers, and computer-aided drafting specific for the kitchen and bathroom design industry.

    Kitchen and Bath Design | Century College

  • Design is the process of solving problems and providing great solutions. Interior designers work closely with clients to determine their requirements and desires for their project. The Designer plans the space, designs lighting plans, selects furniture, designs equipment layouts, and selects materials.

    Interior Design (B.F.A.) | South Dakota State University

Licenses & Certification

  • An Accessibility Specialist can assist in identifying barriers for your business and developing a readily achievable barrier-free plan based on the Minnesota Accessibility. All existing places of public accommodation are required to remove current barriers, if it is readily achievable to do so, on a continuous and ongoing basis. Below are examples of barrier removal projects:

    • Accessible Approach/Entrance

    • Access to Goods and Services

    • Usability of Restrooms

    • Additional Access to such features as Drinking Fountains, Telephones and any other measures necessary.

  • A Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) is a designation program by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) that teaches the technical, business management, and customer service skills necessary to modify homes so seniors or the elderly can live in their houses longer. This program was developed to provide professionals with training that would enable them to accommodate the needs of people over the age of 50, as well as the knowledge they will need to modify their homes for aging in place.

    A Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) has been trained in:

    • The unique needs of the older adult population

    • Aging in Place home modifications

    • Common remodeling projects

    • Solutions to common barriers

  • The mission of the Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience and Interior Design is clear: To protect the public's health, safety and welfare by providing reasonable assurance that persons practicing architecture, professional engineering, land surveying, landscape architecture, geology, soil science or certified interior design are competent, ethical practitioners qualified through education exam and experience appropriate to their title and role. Certified Interior Designers must be certified to use this title.

    Interior Design may include:

    • Design interior public spaces

    • Preparation of documents concerning non-load bearing interior construction

    • Space Planning

    • Specification of finish materials and furnishings

  • A Certified Kitchen Bath Designer (CKBD) specialize in the design, drafting, and planning of residential kitchens and bathrooms. They have extensive knowledge of building codes, appliances, and mechanical systems.

Membership & Affiliations

  • "Founded in 1975, ASID is the oldest, largest and only multi-disciplinary professional organization for interior designers, interior design students and the manufacturers and suppliers who support the profession. The rich, vibrant history of the organization goes back to the founding of its predecessor organizations, the American Institute of Interior Designers (AID) and the National Society of Interior Designers (NSID)."

    www.asid.org

  • Interior design is a distinct profession with specialized knowledge applied to the planning and design of interior environments that promote health, safety, and welfare while supporting and enhancing the human experience. Interior design encompasses the analysis, planning, design, documentation, and management of interior non-structural/non-seismic construction. We comply with applicable building design and construction, fire, life-safety, and energy codes, standards, regulations, and guidelines for the purpose of obtaining a building permit, as allowed by law.

    www.cidq.org

  • "The National Kitchen + Bath Association (NKBA) is a non-profit trade group that promotes professionalism in the kitchen and bath industry. Established in 1963 as a network of kitchen dealers, it has evolved into the premier association of designers, retailers, remodelers, manufacturers, distributors, fabricators, installers and other industry professionals."

    www.nkba.org