Get to Know Chris

Chris once heard the quote "What you are is God’s gift to you; What you make yourself is your gift to God." When Chris isn't focused on Interior Design and other events, you can find him spending his time with family and friends, working in the yard, or traveling. Chris chose Interior Design because his neighbor, Jane Stallings, was a decorator and has been around finishing, fabrics, and design his entire life. When Chris was a child, he would go next door and help his neighbor make Roman shades, drapes, comforters, and chair covers. As a kid, Chris would dig through the scraps and bring them home to decorate the house... lighting the interest for creating a better built environment.

Chris has a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from Sullivan College of Technology and Design, a CIDA accredited design program.

Christopher O’Toole is a native of Louisville, Kentucky where he attended St. Xavier High school. Chris has always been very involved in his community and believes that it is important to give back to his city. Chris served on the Muhammad Ali Center Counsel Students Board Member from 2006 to 2008 where he was nominated to serve as Board President for the 2007-2008 term. Chris is a Kentucky Colonel, is the highest title of honor bestowed by the Governor of Kentucky.

Chris then entered into college starting at JCC then going to UofL where he was involved in Sigma PI fraternity. Chris came to realize that his passion was not really into communications (in the traditional sense), so then he came to Sullivan College of Technology and Design. Using his prior communication education experience, he was able to thrive in SCTD’s design program because of his hard work, dedication, and leadership skills.

While attending college Chris worked at St. Gabriel school in Louisville, KY from (2011-2013). He was responsible for management duties of 10 after-school teachers. In 2015 Chris was asked to join the Sullivan College of Technology and Design CIDA team.

"His, assistance was an integral part in getting prepared for the CIDA visit", states department chairperson, Malandra Gibson.

Chris was also asked to serve as CIDA ambassador. While Chris was a CIDA Ambassador, he was asked with other students to be interviewed by the accreditors questions about the Design Program at Sullivan College of Technology and Design.

After the CIDA visit was over Chris, went on to Shaw Contract Group as the Territory Intern for three months. While with Shaw Contract Group, he was responsible for inventory management of client resource room along with maintain client relationships with in Louisville and Southern Indiana. Chris was able to learn about the flooring side of design, he was also responsible for the ordering samples and provide assistance as needed. While working with Shaw Contract group, Chris began to build his relationship with designers throughout Louisville and Southern Indiana he got to see more of what a designer does in the field and see many projects that clients were working on at the time.

While attending at Sullivan College of Technology and Design, he was a leader in the student body. Chris started as the IIDA Events coordinator, then worked his way up to the IIDA Vice President, ending with being the IIDA campus Center president. Chris has maintained an IIDA campus center along with an excellent reputation within the community. During Chris’s administration he was able to earn the Sullivan College of Technology IIDA Campus Center the 2017 Campus center award. The Campus Center of the year award “This award recognizes a campus center that has set a strong example of IIDA for the school throughout the year. Submissions should show a campus center advancing and enhancing the profession of Interior Design through excellent programs, increased membership, high-quality communication, education, and community involvement.”

while at Sullivan College of Technology and Design, Chris has taken part in CANstruction, a charity that hosts competitions, exhibitions and events showcasing colossal structures made entirely out of full cans of food. This event benefits for Dare to Care in Louisville. Chris also has taken part of designing dresses for the center piece at the annual Go Red for Women lunch. This event benefits the American Heart Association. Chris is also a student member of the Sullivan College of Technology and Design Advisory Board.

Chris has always believed in giving back to the community he so loves. Near and dear to his heart is the Festival of Trees and Lights. During the last three years this was his favorite event. Festival of Trees and Lights is hosted by the Children's Hospital Foundation. The event is where you can design and decorate Christmas trees, wreaths, and hand-crafted holiday items and all are for sale to raise funds for Kosair Children's Hospital. Chris also took part in a playhouse built for a Kosair Kid by being the lead designer of the interior of the playhouse.

Chris is always staying up to date in May of 2017, he had the opportunity to go on an Wilsonart customer application trip where Wilsonart and the Kentucky Distributor, Flagg, Inc. have hosted these trips for key people that have helped in make both of our companies successful. Chris believes that the client always comes first. He will protect public health, safety and welfare while making a difference in his clients' lives. Chris wants to inspire others to reach their full potential.

Once Chris graduated he stayed attractive in IIDA and now serves on the IIDA Louisville Lexington City Center as Events & Professional Development co director. \ Is also very active with KIDLO - Kentucky Interior Design Legislative Organization.