Meet Theresa Dorlini, a visionary with 25 years of expertise in interior design and architecture, harmoniously blending form and function while championing American craftsmanship in her diverse, innovative creations.
You're here because you value originality, creativity, and a touch of genius. Good news: so does Theresa. Whether you're looking to breathe new life into your space with a one-of-a-kind piece of furniture, or need a dynamic speaker who can inspire a crowd with her passion for design, you're in the right place.
Theresa believes in collaboration and making your design dreams a reality. Whether you have a seed of an idea or a full vision in mind, she's here to help make it happen.
Don't hesitate! Reach out today and start your journey towards an incredible piece of art, or a memorable event.
Theresa Dorlini is an award-winning interior designer with 25 years of experience in commercial and residential interiors, and she is licensed in the state of Virginia. She offers an architectural edge to everything she designs, whether it be her interior spaces, custom furniture, or even jewelry. She is uniquely qualified as a designer who understands not only furniture as standalone objects, but also its place in interior spaces. In her daily practice she tiptoes the line of interior designer and architect, always pushing her design projects to that perfect balance of structure and beauty. Theresa is committed to producing “American made” products and utilizing the skill and expertise of local craftsmen. She is truly a “Designer’s Designer.”
Theresa grew up in a bi-cultural family with an American father and Thai/Chinese mother. She was an “embassy brat” raised in the hustle and bustle of densely populated cities throughout Asia, including New Delhi, Manilla, Tokyo and Bangkok. These culturally rich environments had in common the inclusion of natural materials, simplicity, bold ethnic patterns, harmony and balance, and the fusion of traditional and modern. Japan had the largest impact on shaping Theresa as a designer. Multiculturalism and blending of aesthetics is literally in her DNA.
Through the many moves to different chaotic cities she developed an appreciation for the quiet solitude of her imagination; constantly observing, sketching, and constructing (out of cardboard) the things in her mind. Her deep curiosity, exploration and design rigor continues to this day.
While studying interior design at Arizona State University in the late 90’s, she was affectionately known as “Shop Girl” for the hours spent in the metal shop in the basement of the university’s architecture building. Working with power tools became a therapeutic stress reliever throughout college, while helping her understand furniture fabrication methods and joinery.
A student of history and understanding design precedents, she fell in love with the Bauhaus movement and the Classic Modern style for its minimalist aesthetic, timelessness, high-quality materials, and versatility. She believes, “One cannot be a good designer without a deep knowledge and love of design history.” If you do not understand work from the past of Breuer, Mies van der Rohe, Perriand, LeCorbusier, Gray, Eames or Baughman, you cannot design for the future.
Her design idol of all-time is Andree Putman. Theresa once took an overnight train from Berlin to meet her in person at her atelier in Paris. Theresa remembers sitting across from her at her semi-circular desk, nervously sharing her portofolio. Putman’s sheer elegance and presence was powerful, but it was her humility, kindness and genuine interest in what a “nobody” was showing her that captured Theresa's design heart forever.
Theresa's first project as lead designer after graduating from college was the renovation of the Arizona State University mens’ and women’s basketball locker room facility. During this project she collaborated with Industrial Designer, Randy Stultz to develop the XLocker product.
From that moment on, Theresa knew a multidisciplinary approach to design and her career was the path she would follow, aspiring to one day not only design interiors, but also product; furniture, lighting and textiles. “Design is design,” she says. “It is all intertwined regardless of medium, scale, or material”, and Theresa has an opinion about it all!
Theresa married her architect husband John in 2002 and in 2005 they formed their multidisciplinary design firm, CIRCLE Design Studio, where she currently acts as Principal Interior Designer and Creative Director. The self proclaimed “design dorks” live in Roanoke, Virginia, with their four children. She has been featured in publications, podcasts, and panel discussions at High Point, taught design at multiple universities, and earned awards for entrepreneurism. She has served on the board of ASID Virginia as the Director at Large and stays active in mentoring young designers.
@theresadorlini and @dorlinimodern.
