In 1992, Dennis started Dennis R. McAvena and Assoc. in Columbus, OH; and relocated to Brooklyn, NY in 2011, providing the same level of service and attention that his clients have come to enjoy. His work has been regularly featured in Columbus monthly magazine, and his designer show-house room was selected as one of the top ten in the United Stated by House Beautiful magazine. 

More recently, Dennis was a participant in the 2013 Southampton Show House; and was listed as one of top 50 metro NYC designers by New York Spaces magazine.