MEET MARA
feel•ing
/ˈfēliNG/
noun
an emotional state or reaction
From a young age I remember saving my chore and birthday money to buy new decor for my room, patiently waiting for the right unique find from an antique store, flea market or yard sale. Those ‘one of a kind’ interesting, maybe slightly weird finds, that have history and tell a story, still bring about a feeling of excitement in me today when designing a space. Striving for a welcoming, relaxed, honest way of beautiful living, while embracing imperfections - real working kitchens with tools close at hand, comfortable living spaces where conversation and making memories are the primary focus, and functional spaces that require less upkeep and give more time to celebrating the little things and doing things that bring joy.
My love of pattern, color and texture run apparent in my design, creating interiors that are layered, collected, curated, and telling your story. Using inspiration from travel, design history and combined with your personal collections, interest and taste, a rich interior environment, with a lived-in aesthetic, is created that sparks emotions.
Art and creativity has always been a part of my life. I grew up drawing and painting, encouraged to be creative in all things, from a young age (as soon as I knew not to put the pencil or brush in my mouth!). Paper and canvas allowed an exploration of abstract feelings and emotions through a visual outlet. Color, texture and movement through art, provide an energy and finishing layer to a space that cannot be portrayed through anything else .. it’s simply a necessity.
Throughout my early adult life, interior design stayed only a hobby, but after spending years in sales and retail management, I pursued my passion and began studying interior design professionally at Montana State University in 2016. I worked specifically in tile design before switching gears and exploring work in textiles and began offering full design services.
Through design, a space creates many feelings - color ignites, balance invites, and form shapes the emotions that impact us. The goals for my designs are to engage your imagination, and challenge to you feel.