Villa Dauphine’s fine furniture and interiors stay ahead of the design curve by a magical blending of the extraordinary styles and exquisite tastes of our design staff.  The diversity of our backgrounds and personalities is showcased in our distinctive, yet unpredictable, designs and interiors.

Kate B. Dempsey…
Interior design has been a passion for decorator Kate Dempsey for years.  She has advanced degrees in Art History from the University of Missouri and the University of North Carolina.  It was time spent living in Paris while associated with the Louvre Museum that Dempsey’s love of fine interior design developed.  Although she had always loved the design found in simple American homes, she was now introduced to some of the most opulent “pied-a-tiers” from around the world.  This experience gave Dempsey an international appreciation for furniture and fabrics as well as art.

Today, Dempsey believes in the philosophy on which she and partner Sue Ellen Gallaspy founded Villa Dauphine:  the design work should be all about the individual and should reflect the client’s personality, lifestyle, needs, and taste. “Creating a look specific for each client is important.  I want my clients to love coming home.”  While Dempsey loves to mix new furniture, art and accessories with older or antique pieces belonging to the client or ones she finds for the project, she always stays true to the integrity of the design theme.  No matter what the client’s budget for a project, Dempsey believes “the basics of good design should become the foundation to build upon for the coming years.”

Kate Dempsey’s design work can be found in homes as far away as Charleston, Vero Beach or New York and as near as Pensacola or down the street in Mobile.  She is past vice-president of the local chapter of The Window and Drapery Association.  She has given decorating seminars to various organizations and her work has been featured in several publications as well.  Dempsey resides with her husband in Mobile and has two married daughters and a son.

Sue Ellen Gallaspy…
Beginning her career in the furniture and design industry in Dallas, Texas over 25 years ago, Sue Ellen Gallaspy has had a lifelong love affair with interior decorating and it shows.  Gallaspy has a real talent for spatial relationships and challenging floor plans.  “I think my ability to visualize the completed design project helps when I am working on a complex job.  Through the unique placement of furniture, art and accessories, the home’s interior is transformed and the decor my client imagined is realized.”  

Her vision, talents, and experience are the hallmarks of Villa Dauphine as well.  Together with her business partner, Kate Dempsey, they founded Mobile’s premier furniture and decorating boutique.  As a business woman, Gallaspy believes in customer relationships and impeccable customer service.  “I want the customer experience to be stress free and enjoyable.  At Villa Dauphine we go the extra mile to make sure the customer is satisfied and happy with our work and their special purchases.”   In addition, Gallaspy takes the time to understand her clients’ needs, their budget, and the way they live or aspire to live in their homes. “I ask many questions, then step back and listen to my clients’ answers.  Many times the client envisions a specific setting or describes the way they want a room to feel, but cannot accomplish it themselves.  The fun part for me is creating it for them and then watching their ‘wow’ reaction the first time they see the completed work.  Every job is unique, personal and special for the client and for me.”  
 
Gallaspy’s design jobs vary from “old world” interiors to the latest in contemporary décor. Her home interiors and decorating ideas have also been featured in numerous publications.  Gallaspy and her husband have resided in Mobile for twenty plus years.  They have three grown children and a baby grand-daughter.  

Amanda Coleman…
Considered one of the top young design talents in the South, Amanda Coleman brings a wealth of experience to all her projects.  Whether remodeling an older home, updating the tired look of a room, or starting from scratch with blueprints, Coleman approaches each job with great enthusiasm.  Coleman’s forte is in mixing her client’s lifestyle with today’s design trends then incorporating their cherished pieces.  The result is both unique and personal.  “I love mixing someone’s antique family chest with a modern piece of art and a pair of whimsical lamps.”  Coleman also wants her clients to enjoy the process of creating their home.  “Decorating should be fun; it should reflect the homeowner’s personality and interest.”

Amanda Coleman, head of design and sales at Villa Dauphine has a passion for design.  She pursued her interest in creating beautiful environments at the University of Alabama where she earned a degree in Interior Design in 2003.  Upon graduation, this Mobile, Alabama native returned home and joined Kate Dempsey and Sue Ellen Gallaspy shortly after they opened Villa Dauphine.  “I immediately felt at home here.  The design philosophy is always open to fresh ideas.  Both Dempsey and Gallaspy have always encouraged me to stretch my creativity and incorporate both current and classic styles for my clients.”  Coleman’s fresh take on traditional has created interiors which are both chic and timeless.  Many of her design projects have been featured in newspapers and magazines along the Gulf Coast.

Jennifer Williams…
Joining Villa Dauphine in 2006, Jennifer Williams brings both a strong hospitality design background as well as a love of residential design to Villa Dauphine’s design team.  A member of the International Interior Design Association, Williams finds incorporating good design concepts with her clients’ needs, interests, and budget is a great way to create the perfect family home.  “Residential design is much more personal than the commercial hospitality design industry.  In residential design, I enjoy getting to know my clients’ interests in life and reflecting their personalities in their homes.”  With access to the latest in fine furniture, lighting, fabric, accessories, and art, Williams can offer her clients the very best products from around the world.  “It is important to listen to my client’s overall vision for their room, apartment, or home.  I cater to each individual and give them the design and furniture styles they crave--from contemporary styles to traditional with a twist-- to make it unique and extra special.”

Jennifer is a graduate of the University of Alabama, School of Interior Design and a native Mobilian.  Prior to joining Villa Dauphine, she was associated with Peggy Dye and Associates of Birmingham, Alabama where she did design work for such hospitality brands as Marriott, Hilton, and Starwood Hotel chains.