MOMpreneur
DESIGNing Woman
Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Suzy’s been pretty fortunate- since she started this wild adventure she has met some talented people! One specific talented gal pal found Suzy via Facebook (thank the lord for social media!). She is the mother of 2 young boys, is currently taking courses at Boston Architectural College and is the owner of MK Design! Wrap all this up and Megan Pesce becomes Suzy’s May MOMpreneur!
Suzy and Megan met up for a cup of coffee (or two!) and talked about how she manages it all….
Suzy: How did this dream become a reality?
MK Design: I have been designing rooms for as long as I can remember. Even as a little girl, I would re-wallpaper and make cardboard furniture for my doll house (which is currently being used in our playroom as a “Star Wars” house). Before starting a family I worked in the financial planning field. Knowing I did not want to go back to my previous job, I took some time off from working to be at home with my children. I have been helping people decorate rooms and stage their homes for years and I always thought I would love to do it for a job…but that I was too old to pursue it. But the real impetus to start my own business was after the opening night on Broadway for the musical [title of show], which was written by my friend Hunter Bell. The show is about going after your dreams and exploring your creative freedom. I literally came home from NYC, enrolled in school and opened my business.
Suzy: And the name, MK Design, where did that come from?
MK Design: Most interior designers use their full name in their company name, so I toyed with the idea of using Megan Pesce Design or Megan Pesce Interiors. However, almost everyone pronounces my last name incorrectly, over the past 10 years I've heard them all. Phonetically it sounds like PAY-SH So rather than correcting my clients all the time, I decided to use the initial of my maiden name, Kazlauskas, I've never had an easy time with last names for two reasons. First I liked the way MK sounded together, but also as a little shout out to my Dad who passed away from pancreatic cancer five years ago. He always encouraged us to go after our dreams and I know he is incredibly proud of me for becoming a designer!
Family Room: Before MK Design

Family Room: After MK Design
Suzy: What/Who inspires you?
MK Design: I love to read design magazines. From formal Traditional Home to comfy Costal Living, and luxurious Veranda to modern Interior Design I love to mix styles and keep up with the latest trends. I get so many magazines and have been keeping “Idea Books” with clippings for years. And of course design blogs, my current favorite is Apartment therapy.
Suzy: Where do you get your inspiration from?
MK Design: Running! I completed my first marathon this year and the training runs was where did some of my best work. Whether it’s a client’s room or a school project, stepping away from my drawing board and getting outside gets my creativity flowing. So if you see me out and about town running, and you are a client of mine, there is a good chance I am working on a design concept for your room!
Suzy: What is your design style?
MK Design: My personal style is somewhere between traditional, coastal, and whimsical. Although, as a designer I do not design to suit my own taste. My client’s style and needs are always the forefront of my design concept for the space.
Suzy: Tell me what the process is like for a new client?
MK Design: The process varies based on the clients needs; we sit and talk through a questionnaire that helps me get to know them! We review their style and pieces they may have already and together we create a space that makes them feel at home.
Suzy Note: MK Design is offering a FREE 1 Hour Consultation to Suzy Subscribers!
Suzy: What has been the best advice you have received as you build your company?
MK Design: Interior design takes time, and most often it happens in stages. Some people come to me wanting an “Extreme Makeover” in three days…and although that works well for TV ratings, it’s not the case in the real world. I have learned the importance of taking the time to help the client create the vision of the space. I always work with them to make sure that when the design is complete that it meets, or better yet, exceeds their expectations!
Suzy: What/Who helps you manage the business, school and family?
MK Design: My Husband is such a huge help to me! As a local business owner himself, it can be hard at times to manage work and school, along with being a stay at home Mom. We are a great team! I also have lots of great friends and family that help me manage my chaotic world.

Suzy: What 1 thing do you want Suzy Subscribers to know about MKDesign?
MKDesign:I want to make interior design accessible to everyone. I don’t want people to feel that a beautifully designed home is something only for the elite. I can work within any budget and help my clients create the perfect spaces for their needs. From as simple as advising on paint colors to a sophisticated full scale drawn design board, we can do it all!
Suzy: What can we expect from MKDesign in the future?
MKDesign: Dare I say…my own show on HGTV

Megan lives in Acton with her husband Mark and young boys Andrew (6) and Jack (3)
Suzy’s 5 Questions for Megan of MK Design:
1. Cocktail of Choice: Grey Goose and Soda with a splash of cranberry
2. Best yard sale find: Wedgewood China, my grandmothers pattern
3. Most embarrassing song on your IPod: Party in the USA –
4. Best Crayola Crayon Color: Razzmatazz
5. Favorite Local Shop/Business: You can often find me walking the aisles of Home Goods!
Interested in learning more…or to schedule your FREE 1 hour consultation:
MK Design ~ Interiors & Events
Phone: 781-820-0151
Email:
The MK DESIGN Website will be up summer 2010…Remember, a beautiful & completed design project takes time!
Check out the new FAN PAGE on Facebook!
Suzy Tip: Look for Suzy's NEW monthly MK Design columns starting in May!
Suzy and Megan met up for a cup of coffee (or two!) and talked about how she manages it all….
Suzy: How did this dream become a reality?
MK Design: I have been designing rooms for as long as I can remember. Even as a little girl, I would re-wallpaper and make cardboard furniture for my doll house (which is currently being used in our playroom as a “Star Wars” house). Before starting a family I worked in the financial planning field. Knowing I did not want to go back to my previous job, I took some time off from working to be at home with my children. I have been helping people decorate rooms and stage their homes for years and I always thought I would love to do it for a job…but that I was too old to pursue it. But the real impetus to start my own business was after the opening night on Broadway for the musical [title of show], which was written by my friend Hunter Bell. The show is about going after your dreams and exploring your creative freedom. I literally came home from NYC, enrolled in school and opened my business.
Suzy: And the name, MK Design, where did that come from?
MK Design: Most interior designers use their full name in their company name, so I toyed with the idea of using Megan Pesce Design or Megan Pesce Interiors. However, almost everyone pronounces my last name incorrectly, over the past 10 years I've heard them all. Phonetically it sounds like PAY-SH So rather than correcting my clients all the time, I decided to use the initial of my maiden name, Kazlauskas, I've never had an easy time with last names for two reasons. First I liked the way MK sounded together, but also as a little shout out to my Dad who passed away from pancreatic cancer five years ago. He always encouraged us to go after our dreams and I know he is incredibly proud of me for becoming a designer!

Family Room: Before MK Design

Family Room: After MK Design
Suzy: What/Who inspires you?
MK Design: I love to read design magazines. From formal Traditional Home to comfy Costal Living, and luxurious Veranda to modern Interior Design I love to mix styles and keep up with the latest trends. I get so many magazines and have been keeping “Idea Books” with clippings for years. And of course design blogs, my current favorite is Apartment therapy.
Suzy: Where do you get your inspiration from?
MK Design: Running! I completed my first marathon this year and the training runs was where did some of my best work. Whether it’s a client’s room or a school project, stepping away from my drawing board and getting outside gets my creativity flowing. So if you see me out and about town running, and you are a client of mine, there is a good chance I am working on a design concept for your room!
Suzy: What is your design style?
MK Design: My personal style is somewhere between traditional, coastal, and whimsical. Although, as a designer I do not design to suit my own taste. My client’s style and needs are always the forefront of my design concept for the space.
Suzy: Tell me what the process is like for a new client?
MK Design: The process varies based on the clients needs; we sit and talk through a questionnaire that helps me get to know them! We review their style and pieces they may have already and together we create a space that makes them feel at home.
Suzy Note: MK Design is offering a FREE 1 Hour Consultation to Suzy Subscribers!
Suzy: What has been the best advice you have received as you build your company?
MK Design: Interior design takes time, and most often it happens in stages. Some people come to me wanting an “Extreme Makeover” in three days…and although that works well for TV ratings, it’s not the case in the real world. I have learned the importance of taking the time to help the client create the vision of the space. I always work with them to make sure that when the design is complete that it meets, or better yet, exceeds their expectations!
Suzy: What/Who helps you manage the business, school and family?
MK Design: My Husband is such a huge help to me! As a local business owner himself, it can be hard at times to manage work and school, along with being a stay at home Mom. We are a great team! I also have lots of great friends and family that help me manage my chaotic world.

Suzy: What 1 thing do you want Suzy Subscribers to know about MKDesign?
MKDesign:I want to make interior design accessible to everyone. I don’t want people to feel that a beautifully designed home is something only for the elite. I can work within any budget and help my clients create the perfect spaces for their needs. From as simple as advising on paint colors to a sophisticated full scale drawn design board, we can do it all!
Suzy: What can we expect from MKDesign in the future?
MKDesign: Dare I say…my own show on HGTV

Megan lives in Acton with her husband Mark and young boys Andrew (6) and Jack (3)
Suzy’s 5 Questions for Megan of MK Design:
1. Cocktail of Choice: Grey Goose and Soda with a splash of cranberry
2. Best yard sale find: Wedgewood China, my grandmothers pattern
3. Most embarrassing song on your IPod: Party in the USA –
4. Best Crayola Crayon Color: Razzmatazz
5. Favorite Local Shop/Business: You can often find me walking the aisles of Home Goods!
Interested in learning more…or to schedule your FREE 1 hour consultation:
MK Design ~ Interiors & Events
Phone: 781-820-0151
Email:
The MK DESIGN Website will be up summer 2010…Remember, a beautiful & completed design project takes time!
Check out the new FAN PAGE on Facebook!
Suzy Tip: Look for Suzy's NEW monthly MK Design columns starting in May!







