In the midst of a 25-year-long career spent working on projects in the mid-Atlantic region, Jessica Donnelly-Banks struck out on her own to launch her eponymous design firm. That was in 2016, and these days, Donnelly-Banks, who was born and raised in Wilmington and studied design at the University of Delaware, is enjoying a thriving career, with most of her clients located right in town. From the contemporary richness of the common areas of the Devon condominium complex to crisp yet bold professional offices and the occasional Rehoboth Beach house, the designer creates a seamless marriage of modern and classical looks that continually surprise.
How much of your business is commercial versus residential?
My business is 85% commercial and 15% residential, which I guess you could classify as luxury rather than standard residential. Many times, it’s actually my commercial clients who hire me to do work for them in their homes. I don’t market myself primarily for residential, but usually when a project goes really well, the client decides that they want me to help them with their home.
How does the architect-designer relationship work?
Not all architectural firms have in-house interior [designers], so these are the architects that I primarily focus on. Either I will loop the architects in on the job, or they will loop me in on the job. It’s kind of a back-and-forth symbiotic relationship that we have. Then, of course, I do a ton of work directly with contractors and developers.
How many projects do you typically juggle?
Sometimes [as many as] eight—in varying stages of the process. Six right now.
Describe your aesthetic.
You could classify my style as classic modern if I had my druthers about the direction that I like to push clients toward. Historically, I think that this area has [had] a tendency to lean a little bit more traditional, but as time goes on, some of the bigger development firms are pushing more of a modern style, so that works with the direction that I prefer to work in as well.
Your work on the common areas of the Devon condominiums in Wilmington exemplifies your style.
This building was historically occupied by an older generation, but in the last 10 years, it has drawn a younger demographic. My client was looking to pay homage to the traditional side of things but also upgrade it so it had a little bit more of a modern flair that might lure other tenants or buyers into the building.
Can you talk about the diverse wall coverings?
The marble was already in the space, so that, unfortunately, was not mine, but I loved it. But the wall mural is one of my signatures. In many of my spaces, I like to incorporate what I call a wow factor, and many times it will be a very large wall mural, whether it’s in a shared common area for staff or if it’s in a reception area. I feel it’s the one element that can kind of pull you into a space and really create some interest that you normally don’t see.
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