Today we’d like to introduce you to Donna Grace McAlear.
Hi Donna Grace, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m a lifelong creative from Montreal who has lived in Canada, Australia, and the U.S. My passion for art began at age four when my mother enrolled me in the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts children’s program. Torn between academics and studio practice, I pursued graduate studies in both art history and studio art, exploring writing, curating, and teaching along the way. Ultimately, I chose curating over the solitary studio path and built a nearly two-decade career in art museums across Canada and the U.S. My work combined research, writing, and exhibition development, with a highlight being my role as Deputy Director at the LSU Museum of Art, where our small but mighty team collaborated on a new building project, designing exhibition galleries and inaugural exhibitions to open the award-winning new museum in downtown Baton Rouge.
In 2009, my career took an unexpected turn when I launched New Mood Design in Atlanta, transitioning into interior design. This year, I’ve embraced yet another passion—learning about fine jewelry—continuing a lifelong journey of creative exploration.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Growing up, my family relocated across Canada for my father’s work, teaching me early on to embrace change, meet new people, and remain open to new experiences. This upbringing fostered independence, flexibility, and a willingness to take risks in pursuit of my goals.
One pivotal chapter was pausing my museum career to spend five years in Brisbane, Australia, where I earned a Ph.D. in Cultural Policy Studies at Griffith University while working as an independent art curator and writer. That experience prepared me for senior management roles in art museums in Canada and the U.S.
In 2008, after relocating from Baton Rouge to Atlanta, I faced a turning point when no art museum roles were available. What felt like a setback soon became an opportunity. For years, friends and family had sought my advice on home décor, recognizing my eye for color and design. Further, I had deep experience in museum exhibition design and space planning, and had also project managed a few museum renovation and building projects over the years. Trusting my instinct—and with little more than faith—I changed course and launched New Mood Design in 2009, marking the beginning of my career in interior design.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
New Mood Design is an award-winning interior design firm dedicated to the art of living beautifully. We create innovative, personalized designs for discerning homeowners, translating each client’s lifestyle and aesthetic into spaces that enhance daily life.
From 2009 to 2024, New Mood Design offered full-service, turn-key residential design, specializing in luxurious kitchens and bathrooms, detailed construction specifications, and design solutions for new homes and renovations, including fine art and home furnishings. In 2025, we began a new chapter, focusing on design consultations for fine art selection, paint color plans, and fixture and finish concepts. We also advise clients on architectural plans for new construction and renovations, ensuring thoughtful spatial planning and design coherence.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
My professional approach is rooted in four core values: artistry, intelligent design, thoughtful attention, and clear communication. I believe every project begins with the client, whose vision and needs shape the creative process. By listening deeply and interpreting their goals, I craft personalized outcomes that bring joy, meaning, and beauty into their lives.
My discerning eye for design has been shaped by years of experience in fine art and museums—skills that translate seamlessly into interior design. I approach each project with both creativity and discipline, balancing aesthetic harmony with functionality, technical precision, and budget considerations. Thoughtful collaboration is central to my practice, ensuring that every design reflects the client’s individuality while achieving a refined and elevated result.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.newmooddesign.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newmooddesign/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewMoodDesign/
Image Credits
Donna’s Portrait: Marc Mauldin Photography, Inc
New Mood Design Colorado Ski Home: Darrin Edwards Photographs, Inc
New Mood Design Atlanta Powder Room Detail: Marc Mauldin Photography, Inc
New Mood Design Atlanta Entry Foyer with Art: Marc Mauldin Photography, Inc
New Mood Design Atlanta Kitchen: Marc Mauldin Photography, Inc
New Mood Design Atlanta Kids’ Bathroom: Marc Mauldin Photography, Inc
New Mood Design Colorado Ski Home Family Room: Darrin Edwards Photographs, Inc
New Mood Design Atlanta Primary Bathroom Concept Rendering: New Mood Design, Atlanta
