My name is Kate Dunne, and I’m a final-year Interior Design student with a passion for bold expression through colour, pattern, and maximalist design. I love creating spaces that feel vibrant, layered, and full of personality, where every detail contributes to a strong visual story. My work explores how playful combinations of texture and form can transform interiors into immersive experiences.
As I approach graduation, I’m excited to step into the professional world and continue growing as a designer. I’m eager to expand my knowledge, collaborate with others, and refine my creative voice through real-world projects. With a curious mindset and a love for experimentation, I’m ready to take on new challenges and bring fresh, dynamic ideas into the industry.
Afterglow
This project transforms a vacant office building in Carrick-on-Shannon into a vibrant mixed-use leisure destination inspired by the concept of competitive socialising. The interior design focuses on creating an immersive and playful environment that encourages interaction, movement, and exploration. Bold lighting, layered textures, neon accents, and expressive graphics inspired by the Absolut Vodka brand create a dynamic atmosphere throughout the space. The building is thematically zoned across multiple floors, with entertainment areas, social lounges, bars, and flexible event spaces connected through open circulation and visual links.
Designed as both a social hub and community destination, the interior encourages users to gather, play, and experience the building in different ways throughout the day and night, supporting Carrick-on-Shannon’s growing tourism and nightlife culture.
Dun Laoghaire Hotel
This hotel proposal for Dun Laoghaire is inspired by the town’s unique coastal character, drawing influence from the surrounding harbour, sea views, and natural geology. Overlooking the waterfront, the interiors are designed to create a luxurious yet atmospheric experience that reflects the movement, texture, and colour of the Irish coastline. Local stone formations and coastal landscapes informed the material palette, with rich marbles, textured surfaces, sculptural ceilings, and layered lighting used throughout the spaces.
The bar and restaurant maximise panoramic harbour views, creating immersive social spaces that shift in atmosphere from day to night. Curved forms and reflective finishes echo the rhythm of the sea, while deep blues, warm burgundies, and metallic accents create a refined contrast inspired by the changing tones of the coast. The project aims to blend contemporary hospitality design with a strong sense of place, connecting guests directly to the identity of Dun Laoghaire.
