Faces of Design: Meet the Talent Behind MMA Interiors
At MMA, our Interior Design team is an integral part of the creative engine that bring warmth, personality, and functionality to every space we create. With four designers from varying experiences, each brings their own perspective, style, and expertise to the table. In this post, we’re giving an inside look at the people behind the projects, their inspirations, backgrounds, and the design philosophies that shape the spaces you love.
1. What’s your role at MMA, and what does your day-to-day look like?
I’m the Director of Interior Design at MMA, working on both commercial and residential projects. My day is a mix of managing our interiors team and our work within the architectural office, developing processes and promoting team culture, and working on design projects that include meetings with clients, drawings, selections, project management, and site visits.
2. Can you share a bit about your background and education?
I graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Interior Design and then started my career in Atlanta working for a commercial design firm. For the past 15 years I’ve practiced both residential and commercial design at firms in Chicago before moving back home to West Michigan 8 years ago and joining MMA to start their interiors team.
3. How would you describe your design philosophy/style?
I care greatly about connecting people to their environments in meaningful ways with timeless design solutions that feel natural, integrated, and purposeful.
4. Where do you find design inspiration?
The world is full of so many amazing places, people, and experiences and I’m endlessly eager to appreciate them. Whether it is a daily walk in nature, immersing yourself in local cultures while traveling, or enjoying a good meal with friends, there are so many opportunities to see what makes people experience spaces in a magical way.
5. One piece of advice for clients starting a design project?
Spend some time thinking about the why behind the project and keep that in mind throughout the process. Things can get stressful, there are lots of decisions to be made, but if you have a clear goal in mind, it is much easier to keep moving forward when you know what you are reaching towards.
1. What’s your role at MMA, and what does your day-to-day look like?
I am a Senior Interior Designer with a diverse skill set in residential and commercial interiors. From wishlists to move-in, I take pride in advocating for the characteristics and foundational goals defined with the client. Day to day, the flow of a project involves a variety of tasks and keeps each week interesting. Throughout a project I am designing with clients, developing the cabinetry, material palettes, renderings, documenting construction details, furnishings, and window treatments, sourcing fixtures, in-site coordination with builders, planning and procuring installs.
2. Can you share a bit about your background and education?
I studied Interior Design at Michigan State University and later earned my NCIDQ in 2013. Prior to returning to Grand Rapids and joining the MMA team, I lived in Atlanta owning a residential interior design business. I specialized in major home renovations, project management, procuring furnishings and styling homes. Prior to Atlanta, I worked in commercial design with projects ranging from higher education, K-12, public libraries, healthcare and workplace.
3. How would you describe your design philosophy/style?
My design philosophy is built upon the intrinsic joy created when every item has a place. I approach each project by right-sizing the spaces to capture the essentials and establishing purpose for each room, resulting in uninhibited living and a renewed sense of peace.
4. Where do you find design inspiration?
I grew up with a love of art history, learning about culture and historical events through the lens of the art movements. Exploring creativity through creating art, painting and drawing. I love nature, grounding our human lives with the earth, plants, and animals. Hiking and backpacking to seek lakes and views only seen by foot. Timeless, tried and true fashion goes hand in hand with art and creative expression.
5. One piece of advice for clients starting a design project?
Design is about discovering, dreaming, and asking yourself hard questions. Construction is about testing your resilience. In the end, the pressure of metamorphosis will be worth it.
1. What’s your role at MMA, and what does your day-to-day look like?
I am an interior designer at MMA and have been with the team for over 6 years. My day to day consists of helping clients through the design process; wishlists, finding the right builder, design inspiration, creating material palettes, ordering samples, construction documents and construction administration.
2. Can you share a bit about your background and education?
I attended Columbia College Chicago where I received my degree in Interior Architecture. Post graduation I moved to Denver, CO where I worked on a variety of projects, ranging from high rise construction in Asia to high-end residential homes in the Rocky Mountains. I moved back to my home state of Michigan to Grand Rapids where I eventually joined MMA as an interior designer. After several years, my family and I decided to make the move home to Leelanau County, where I work remotely and help facilitate our projects in this area and grow our market.
3. How would you describe your design philosophy/style?
Simple, timeless, natural and intentional.
4. Where do you find design inspiration?
Growing up in Leelanau County, I’ve always had the privilege of being surrounded by natural beauty. Spaces that make you feel calm, welcomed and at ease. I find myself trying to replicate that sense with materials, natural light and views to the outdoors.
5. One piece of advice for clients starting a design project?
Lean on your designers and architects. Trust the process and be patient.
1. What’s your role at MMA, and what does your day-to-day look like?
I’m an interior designer at MMA working on all types of projects that come to our office, from residential to commercial and anything in between. My training and passion lies on the design side, but I also work with our marketing and technology teams to improve our brand awareness and office resources. I find a lot of joy in variety, so day-to-day I work on several tasks from client design presentations, to detailed documentation, to social media campaigns and office-wide drafting templates.
2. Can you share a bit about your background and education?
I grew up in Grand Rapids, Michigan and attended Michigan State University for my undergraduate degree in interior design. While at Michigan State I became heavily involved in our student design organization as well as assisted teaching. Upon graduation I moved back to Grand Rapids and began my professional career at a larger architecture and engineering firm specializing in education projects. After a couple years I joined the MMA team in Grand Rapids, but eventually relocated to Utah, where I now work as a primarily remote designer.
3. How would you describe your design philosophy/style?
As a designer I find immense joy in connecting people with places. I find that translates to interiors that feel personal, functional, timeless, and in-tune with the people who use them. At times this approach can look like an interior that reflects the natural surroundings by utilizing local materials, and at other times that means making spaces organized and accessible to improve workflow.
4. Where do you find design inspiration?
I find inspiration everywhere, the people around me, the shops in my neighborhood, the trails and mountains nearby, and the places I’ve traveled. I love experimenting with DIY projects, art, fashion, and even cooking, as each sparks new ideas and ways of thinking about design. For me, inspiration comes from staying curious and keeping my eyes and mind open, when I do, I can find it anywhere.
5. One piece of advice for clients starting a design project?
Projects can be a whirlwind with lots of highs and lows but I think clients who maintain open minds and lean on their design team as much as possible end up happiest with the overall process.
