This year’s Holiday House — an annual New York City design world go-to event and fundraiser for breast cancer research — featured work by one of Saint Mary’s own! Katie Murphy Brandt B’86 was the only non-New York designer selected to design a space.
Approximately 20 of the industry’s top interior designers transformed spaces in penthouse apartments to showcase cutting-edge decor and chic lifestyle concepts to be viewed by the general public, the design industry, and design enthusiasts in November and December 2022.
Murphy Brandt was visiting her son when she explored the idea of the Holiday House.
She has been designing in Spring Park, Minn., for 25 years, building her clientele from word of mouth and personal connections. When her application was accepted, she made it a goal to utilize local businesses, who often donated items for the show.
It took some old fashioned networking, visiting businesses in person, and building relationships. “I took the time to knock on doors and sit and talk to people so they could get to know me,” Murphy Brandt said. “They had no reason to give me anything as a donation other than feeling connected to me from that conversation.”
Not only did the Holiday House advertise her space, providing photos and social media spotlights, Architectural Digest also did a spread, bringing her dreams to light. She shared with Architectural Digest that she was inspired by the amazing views of the Hudson River and the beautiful city skyline.
As a business graduate of Saint Mary’s University, Murphy Brandt used her experience from being part of this community to build relationships with business owners and clients throughout the years. She credits the close relationships she had with professors who helped her obtain her academic goals.
To this day, stories of professors helping and encouraging students is one of the most talked about pieces of Saint Mary’s culture. Professors know you by name, and go above and beyond to help you succeed.