Interior architecture and design careers rarely follow a single, straight line. For UTC alumnae Kacie Baker (’17) and Rachel Shannon (’04,’19), their professional journeys reflect two distinct but complementary paths—both grounded in creativity, rigor and a shared foundation built at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Though their careers unfolded at different times and in different sectors of the industry, Baker and Shannon credit UTC’s Interior Architecture and Design program with preparing them to think holistically, lead confidently and design with purpose.
Finding Their Way to Design
Baker, a Chattanooga native, always gravitated toward creative work, even before she could name it as interior design. As a child, she rearranged her bedroom and helped with family renovation projects. Still, when she first enrolled at UTC in 2007, she talked herself out of pursuing design as a major, unsure whether it could become a viable career. After graduating with a communications degree in 2011 and spending time in the workforce, Baker realized something was missing. A return to Chattanooga—and a pivotal conversation with a friend—helped her reconnect with what had always felt right. In 2013, she returned to UTC to pursue interior design full-time.
For Shannon, creativity was woven into everyday life from the start. Growing up in Chattanooga, she learned to bake, build and restore alongside family members who valued craftsmanship and the art of making things by hand. Early exposure to historic architecture—through travel and a lifelong fascination with antiques—sparked a parallel interest in preservation. After completing her bachelor’s degree in interior design in 2004, Shannon’s career expanded across architecture, construction and development roles. Years later, a reconnection with UTC faculty led her back to campus to pursue a Master of Interior Design and a post-baccalaureate certificate in historic preservation.
The UTC Difference
Both alumnae credit UTC faculty for shaping their professional direction. Baker vividly recalls meeting with then-professor Jessica Etheredge before enrolling. When shown examples of student work that felt far beyond her ability, she hesitated. Etheredge’s response—“Well, we’ll teach you”—became a defining moment. It reflected the program’s culture: rigorous, supportive and confident in its students.
Shannon’s experience was similarly shaped by mentorship, particularly through Dana Moody, whose leadership helped launch UTC’s graduate interior design and historic preservation programs. What began as a demanding professor-student relationship evolved into a professional partnership and lasting friendship. For Shannon, graduate study at UTC allowed her to focus exclusively on the discipline she loved, deepening her technical skillset and expanding her influence in the field.
Building Careers with Impact
Today, Baker serves as Lead Interior Designer at River Street Architecture, where she was hired to establish and grow the firm’s interior design studio. Her work centers on large-scale commercial projects, including workplace, hospitality and retail environments. Among her most notable projects are the HHM Wealth building on King Street, a custom Element by Marriott hotel in Tampa and the new Chattanooga Football Club headquarters currently under construction.
The CFC project, spanning more than 70,000 square feet, is especially meaningful. Baker leads the full interior design process—from concept development and photorealistic renderings to construction documentation—helping create a space that reflects the club’s identity while serving as a cultural anchor for the city. Designed to house staff offices, player amenities, fitness spaces, and public-facing retail, the headquarters will function as both an operational hub and a symbol of community pride. For Baker, it represents the intersection of professional achievement and civic contribution.
Shannon’s career has taken a more entrepreneurial turn. In 2023, she launched Amethyst & Oak Interiors, offering full-scale interior design, architectural design and historic preservation services. Her work ranges from residential and commercial design to National Register nominations and historically sensitive rehabilitations. Rather than pointing to a single project, Shannon measures success in the breadth of experience she’s accumulated—and the confidence it’s given her to lead complex projects independently.
Her preservation work has already resulted in lasting regional impact. Shannon was integral in securing the placement of the Bachman-McCoy Farm, located along historic Anderson Pike near the top of the W Road in the Town of Walden, Tennessee, on the National Register of Historic Places. The designation ensures long-term recognition and protection of the property’s historical and cultural significance, while reinforcing the importance of preserving rural and vernacular architecture that might otherwise be overlooked. For Shannon, projects like this demonstrate how preservation can honor the past while strengthening community identity and continuity.
Beyond individual projects, Shannon’s advocacy extends into the broader community. As a board member of Preserve Chattanooga, she promotes the idea that the most sustainable building is often the one already standing—reducing environmental waste, conserving materials and supporting local labor through rehabilitation rather than demolition.
Design Philosophy, Defined
Despite their different niches, Baker and Shannon share a client-centered approach. Baker describes her process as deeply collaborative—beginning with listening, translating vision into function and refining details until the space feels right. From hand sketches to construction documents, she balances creativity with precision.
Shannon’s philosophy is similarly rooted in foresight and responsibility. She challenges clients to consider long-term outcomes, accessibility and lifecycle costs, guiding them away from decisions that may feel practical in the short term but costly over time. For both designers, success lies in creating spaces that work beautifully and endure.
Giving Back and Looking Ahead
Both alumnae remain closely connected to UTC. Baker mentors IA+D seniors on their thesis projects and serves on professional panels, while Shannon has hosted interns from the program for more than a decade and served on the IA+D Alumni Advisory Board. Each emphasizes the importance of relationships—both in school and beyond.
Their advice to students and recent graduates is clear: explore broadly, stay curious and build your network early. The interior architecture and design field offers countless pathways, and the strongest careers often emerge at the intersection of preparation and connection.
Looking ahead, Baker is focused on growing River Street Architecture’s interiors studio and continuing to shape spaces that define Chattanooga’s future. Shannon is eager to expand her preservation work, guiding the adaptive reuse of historic buildings that can anchor neighborhoods and inspire new investment.
Different paths, shared roots—and a lasting impact shaped by UTC.