Community Highlights: Meet Marissa Matiyasic of Reflections Interior Design

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marissa Matiyasic.  

Hi Marissa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been drawn to design–actually, I’ve always been surrounded by design. Growing up, my family had a tile showroom, and they sold beautiful, custom-designed, hand-painted tiles–they even had kilns where they made their tile on-site. 

So not only was I exposed to beauty and creativity very early on, I was also exposed to the work ethic that my parents–as entrepreneurs–had. And I feel really lucky that I got to see both sides of running a company. 

After college, I came back to Cleveland and met a designer who changed my life. She mentored me and showed me all the things that a designer could be. I don’t think she had any idea what I’d bring to the table, but I think she recognized I had a good eye, a good work ethic, and talent. She shaped me to be the designer I am today. 

It’s been 15 years since purchasing Reflections Interior Design. With 2 kids, a husband, and a home…my business has grown, and we now have 6 employees. In 2022, I purchased a historic building to house our studio and we are thrilled for this next chapter of Reflection Interior Design! 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I think any business owner can relate when I say that it hasn’t been a “smooth” road. The most recent challenge was realizing that we outgrew our space, both physically and emotionally. Not only was it no longer functioning for us, but we also realized our simple & underwhelming storefront didn’t represent who we are. 

We called our Cedar Fairmount location home since 1980, and while we were surrounded by wonderful neighborhood shops & a lively restaurant scene, we decided to purchase our very own building. A decision that will allow us to curate our own studio – designed specifically for US. The interior will serve as our collaborative space as well as a showcase of our talents, signature design style, and our exclusive vendors materials and craftsmanship. 

We’ve been renovating “The Drake,” short for “The Alonzo Drake house,” which was built in 1843 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. As with any renovation project, there have been hiccups, delays, and surprises. For example, we had to take out our front patio and dig 8 feet down to waterproof and stabilize the 179-year-old foundation. We are very thankful for modern-day equipment! 

The struggles that we’ve run into are small compared to the opportunities for growth, community connection, and collaborative space – which makes it all worthwhile. 

As you know, we’re big fans of Reflections Interior Design – now located at “The Drake” in Oakwood Village, Ohio. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
We specialize in concept-to-completion design in the luxury home market. We have trusted partners that we have built relationships with to make each project as seamless for the client as possible. We’d like to think of our signature style as “Modern Traditional” — a fresh twist on a classic. We see design as a way to effectively use every bit of a space to tell our client’s story through the finishes, colors & patterns we select. We want our projects to read like timeless chapters in a book titled Home. 

How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We love collaboration! We find teaming up with other creatives, such as architects, general contractors, and builders to develop a team for our clients leads to the best final outcome for their projects. 

Go to our website to learn more about our full-service offerings, or give us a call! We’d love to set up a complimentary Discovery Call with you. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.reflectionsinteriordesign.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reflectionsinteriordesign/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-matiyasic-6569155/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaYc5EXlcrC1KItFI4PsvTQ

Image Credits
@toddhcarlson