Tune in to this conversation with Colleen Bennett to hear about fascinating design difference around the world, design for epilepsy, and sustainable design decisions.
Colleen Bennett founded her first Interior Design Studio, Caducus Folium, in 2006. This Costa Rica-based firm quickly expanded into six design centers located in Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Honduras. Colleen designed most of the presidents’ and dignitaries’ homes in Central America and throughout the region. In 2012 Colleen moved back home to North Carolina and opened the US division of the company, CBB Design Firm, based in Morganton, NC.
Shortly after graduating from Wake Forest University, Colleen became the youngest furniture representative hired by Drexel Heritage. Travelling the world, she visited over 60 countries and designed thousands of vignettes of every style and budget for her clients. In 2009 Colleen was hired as the youngest account manager and visual merchandiser for Ralph Lauren Home where she was responsible for all of their home stores in Africa, Australia, and Latin America.
Colleen takes her international portfolio and brings that resort living to her designs in the NC market. She specializes in residential and commercial designs as well as historic renovations.
Colleen is involved in every aspect of the design process from the initial development phase, Cad Design, 3D Renderings, color and finish selections, furniture selections and installation to the finished home! She is able to show the client, visually, what the finished product will look like so that they can confidently make decisions.
Colleen also founded and owns Morgan Stuart Logistics in Morganton, NC which represents luxury hospitality and residential furniture manufacturers. The company ships worldwide and currently services over 40 countries.
Colleen’s passion for design is equaled only by her profound love of family and strong desire to give back. Colleen is a mother of three daughters. She spends her free time in mentoring roles with the Girl Scouts, Epilepsy Foundation and coaching. In 2020, during the pandemic, Colleen founded “Bute Couture”, a sustainable luxury handbag company. All of the handbags are made of upcycled fabric and leather from the scraps of the furniture industry that would have otherwise been sent to landfills. The company prioritizes ethical practices and pays workers living wages. Ten percent of proceeds from handbag sales are donated to local women’s charities.
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