Michelle Samar

Since 2001 when I started Mongrel Design Interiors, I’ve been helping clients with every design aspect of their home interiors. I chose the moniker “Mongrel” because it means a mixture and my design philosophy is just that: taking the strongest aspects from different design genres to create the perfect, personalized, blend.

Besides being a life-long lover of the visual arts, I  had a special place in my heart for all things home related.  A big early influence was Mom- from hanging wallpaper to stripping wood floors, and fixing leaky faucets, she with the help of fix-it-yourself books, was able to make some huge changes in our house with determination and hard work. I “helped” by rearranging furniture in my bedroom ad-nauseum starting at age 8. Anyone who entered the house who hadn’t seen the new-and-improved floor plan were escorted upstairs to check it out.

I received a degree in textiles at Northern Michigan University and managed a retail furniture and accessories store for several years after moving to Arizona with my new husband after college.  Two years after having my first son, I decided I wanted to go back to work. Rather than begin work at another company, I was encouraged by former co-workers, friends and family to begin my own design company, I started my Mongrel Design Interiors with the intention of helping people create their dream spaces without he pretense that is sometimes associated with the interior design business. Having worked with many interior designers as a retail manger, I knew the type of designer I wanted to be and the type I definitely didn’t want to be. I love to work one-on-one with each client, and believe that listening and collaborating is the way to achieving the very best result.

When I’m not busy with clients, I am usually spending time with my family and friends traveling, hiking or just hanging out (and re-arranging my furniture).