Trivers recently welcomed three interior designers to its team. Abby Buchmann, LEED Green Associate started this past spring with more than eight years of experience working on commercial tenant improvement renovations ranging from workplace and education to health care as well as ground-up corporate, multifamily and industrial projects. After serving as an intern at Trivers for more than a year, Trinity Martin recently began her full-time position and looks forward to designing a better St. Louis through creative and sustainable means. Leo Dullovi graduated from Maryville University with her bachelor’s degree in interior design and began her role at Trivers in May.
Get to know Abby, Trinity and Leo in the Q&A below.
Why did you decide to become an interior designer?
How did you learn about Trivers?
Leo: I heard about Trivers from Trinity. We were both in Maryville University’s interior design bachelor’s degree program. After looking up the company, I found they do a lot of historic preservation work, and they are dedicated to incorporating inclusivity and sustainability into their projects. All of that is very important to me.
What interested you in becoming an interior designer at Trivers?
Why do you think Trivers is a great place for interior designers to work?
Abby: I’m really enjoying being a part of a team again. At my previous position, I was one of only two interior designers, so I missed having a more collaborative environment. I like being in the office and having the opportunity to bounce ideas off other people. Trivers’ interior design group is very well integrated with the architects. There is not a clear line of separation. Everyone works together to achieve common goals for our clients.
What’s been your favorite interior design project you have worked on at Trivers?
What are some things you learned during your internship at Trivers that you are applying to your full-time position?
Trinity: During my internship I was able to adjust to working in the real world. There is a stark contrast between school where everything is hypothetical or a case study and the life of a professional interior designer dealing with budgets and clients and contractors. Getting hands-on experience prepared me well for starting full time.
How did your time as an interior design student at Maryville University prepare you for this role?
Leo: Maryville’s interior design bachelor’s degree program equipped me with the proper tools and resources I needed to learn how to do this job. My professors also gave me creative freedom to experiment with different ideas within my projects.
What is your dream interior design project?
What’s a professional goal you hope to achieve this year?
What are some things you hope to accomplish now that you are a full-time employee?
Trinity: I have a long career ahead of me, so I just want to learn everything there is to learn, and I never want to stop learning. Luckily, I have some great mentors here at Trivers. I just want to take everything as it comes and soak it all up.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
What are some of your favorite places to go in St. Louis?
What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?
What advice do you have for interior designers who are just beginning their careers?
Abby: Don’t take things too personally. Being told that something you came up with won’t work is not a reflection on you or your skills. You have to keep searching for the best solution for the client as well as the end user of the space. Also, design is supposed to be fun. Keep that in mind, and your job won’t ever feel like work.
Trivers is always looking for creative, passionate and talented individuals to be a part of our team. Visit our careers page for more information on positions that are currently available.
