Business Details
24 Years
experience
Hospitality Interior Design & FF&E Procurement Experts
Established in 2002 by Andrea K. Gillespie, AK Designs has become a premier hospitality interior design and furnishings procurement firm. Our team specializes in serving Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, and IHG franchise owners through lasting client relationships with hotel franchisor representatives, architects, general contractors, and hospitality vendors. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, our designers hold degrees from accredited universities and several team members maintain the prestigious NCIDQ designation. With over 70 years of collective hospitality-focused interior design experience, we have successfully completed hundreds of projects across 40+ U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. Our expertise spans brand-prototype and fully-customized interior design solutions for 25+ hospitality brands, serving REITs, corporate developers, regional owner/operators, and individual hoteliers.We excel in ground-up construction, brand conversions, re-licensing property improvements, and renovations of all scales. Our creative approach integrates client preferences and local flavor into every design, delivering tailored solutions that elevate guest experiences. The firm's extensive portfolio demonstrates our commitment to quality execution and client satisfaction. We maintain rigorous professional standards through continuous industry education and adherence to the highest design principles. Our proven track record with major hospitality brands establishes us as trusted partners in the industry.
Services
Hospitality Interior Design
FF&E Procurement
Customized Design Solutions
Hotel Renovation Design
Brand Prototype Design
Details
- Year established: 2002
Highlights and features
- We have over 70 years of combined experience in hospitality interior design
- Our team includes NCIDQ-certified interior designers
- We serve 25+ hospitality brands including major international chains
- We've completed projects in 40+ U.S. states and two Canadian provinces
- We offer both brand-prototype and fully-customized design solutions
Associations and certifications
- NCIDQ
Services
Hospitality Interior Design
Our hospitality interior design service creates functional, aesthetically pleasing spaces for hotels and resorts. We specialize in brand-compliant designs that maintain franchise standards while incorporating local character. Our team handles projects from concept development through construction documentation.
FF&E Procurement
We manage complete FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment) procurement for hospitality projects. Our service includes product selection, vendor coordination, and delivery scheduling to ensure timely project completion. We maintain relationships with trusted suppliers to secure competitive pricing.
Customized Design Solutions
We develop customized design solutions that balance brand requirements with unique property characteristics. Our approach considers local market demands, guest demographics, and operational needs to create distinctive hospitality environments that drive occupancy.
Hotel Renovation Design
Our hotel renovation expertise covers property upgrades from minor refreshes to full-scale transformations. We specialize in minimizing operational disruption while modernizing spaces to meet current brand standards and guest expectations.
Brand Prototype Design
We implement brand prototype designs that maintain consistency across franchise locations. Our team ensures strict adherence to brand guidelines while optimizing layouts for functionality and guest comfort in diverse geographic settings.
People
Andrea K. Gillespie
Owner & Design Principal
Founder of AK Designs with 20+ years in hospitality design. Holds NCIDQ certification and leads creative direction for all projects. Specializes in brand-compliant design solutions.
David Gillespie
Owner & Chief Financial Officer
Manages financial operations and business strategy. Brings 15+ years of hospitality industry experience to ensure project budgets align with client goals while maintaining design excellence.
Darby McKnight
Director of FF&E Procurement
Leads FF&E procurement with 12+ years in hospitality sourcing. Coordinates vendor relationships and ensures timely delivery of quality furnishings that meet brand specifications.
Sarah Garcia
Senior Designer
NCIDQ-certified senior designer with expertise in luxury hotel projects. Develops creative solutions that balance brand standards with regional character across diverse geographic markets.
Kylie Worman
Project Designer
Project designer specializing in mid-scale hotel renovations. Focuses on practical design solutions that maximize guest satisfaction while maintaining budget constraints for franchise owners.
Questions
What hospitality brands do you work with?
We serve Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, IHG, and 25+ other hospitality brands, handling both brand-prototype and customized design projects for franchise owners.
Do you handle projects outside the US?
Yes, we've completed projects in two Canadian provinces in addition to 40+ U.S. states, adapting designs to meet regional requirements while maintaining brand consistency.
What design certifications do your team hold?
Our team includes NCIDQ-certified interior designers who maintain rigorous professional standards through continuing education and industry best practices.
How do you handle renovation projects?
We specialize in minimizing operational disruption during renovations, implementing phased approaches that maintain guest satisfaction while meeting brand standards and deadlines.
What FF&E procurement services do you offer?
We manage complete FF&E procurement including product selection, vendor coordination, and delivery scheduling to ensure timely project completion within budget parameters.
How do you incorporate local elements into designs?
Our designs integrate local character through material selection, artwork, and spatial planning that reflects regional culture while maintaining brand identity and functionality.
