Ella Rhinehart standing in the redesigned faculty room

Ella Rhinehart standing in the redesigned faculty room. Walton CSD senior Ella Rhinehart is getting a jumpstart on her career.

 

Rhinehart, as part of an independent study on interior design with art teacher Angela Saporito, planned the redesign of the high school faculty room. Once the plan was in place, she worked to obtain all needed supplies through donations, and then executed the plan over four days of February break.

 

“This was a project where I could leave my mark on Walton,” Rhinehart said. “And it shows the teachers they are appreciated.”

 

Work included painting the room and accent pieces. She also replaced the table in the room, as well as adding other pieces, such as a comfortable chair for teachers to be able to relax. She reupholstered all of the other chairs in the room. In addition, Rhinehart designed a new look to a shelving area.

 

In her plan for the room, Rhinehart noted the room was dated, sterile, and not very comfortable. She wrote her goal is to create a space that could be relaxing, comfortable, and rejuvenating for teachers and staff. Her inspiration came from Scandinavian design style, which incorporates a lot of neutral colors, as well as warm textures like wood and wool, and warm metals, such as brass and matte black.

“Pinterest is kind of my thing,” she said. “I spend a lot of time on there looking at drawings and housing things. I wanted something peaceful for the teachers.”

 

Walton CSD High School Principal Art Loomis said Rhinehart succeeded in her goal.

 

“We’re happy to be able to give her the opportunity to be able to do something she loves to do, and it also allowed her to show teachers she thinks they are appreciated,” Loomis said. “I hope in future years, faculty and staff can appreciate Ella’s hard work in an area where they can relax and unwind.”

 

Following graduation, Rhinehart plans to attend Messiah University and study three-dimensional design.

For more photos, please see our Facebook page.