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Serendipitously, a friend expressed displeasure with her current interior designer then asked Crystal if she'd be interested in assuming the role and completing the home's design. She took this golden opportunity to begin building her portfolio and it was the catalyst for what has become her life's passion. e homeowners were so impressed with the outcome that they urged Maki to start her own business. "Working on their house led to my taking classes at the New York School of Interior Design, then the projects just continued to come in, I guess the universe supported my career choice", she shared. Maki expressed gratitude for being able to start her career with people she knew. "I don't think I could have started with a stranger", she said. "For me, it was wonderful to work with friends because we already had a relationship based on trust. I think when there is mutual respect and admiration, it yields a higher level of creativity and everything is more harmonious. is shows in the outcome, one hundred percent." A good client/designer relationship is at the heart of what makes good design and Maki and her firm work to achieve just that. Her meticulous eye for detail always produces a breathtaking final product, but she makes sure to offer the disclaimer that good things take time. While Maki's vibrant energy and personal grit are qualities to admire, she expresses a tinge of sadness that she never had a mentor to show her the ropes. Much of her early career in interior design was spent self-teaching, learning by doing, and gaining as much knowledge as she could from school. "Going to art school was amazing, but it was a lot of work, I did it while I had three children who, at a certain point, begged me to stop because it took up so much of my time. While I'm fortunate I had people along the way who shared their knowledge, there was never the one I felt I could call for absolutely anything. I'd love to be that for someone." For any creative, a major element of differentiation is the style they're known for; those particular details in their work that make it special and subtly identifiable. As a newfound interior designer and entrepreneur without formal industry experience, this muscle can only be strengthened with tenure. Maki says, "I think design and art are so subjective. Time has helped me trust myself more in the decision-making process. However, there are visual things I just know innately, including the way colors interact and patterns work with each other - which isn't even about trust, it's just part of my fiber and artistic nature. It's taken a while, but I have come to terms with the fact that not everyone will like my work. I know now that if I stay true to my artistry, I will make a happy, functional, unique home for the right clients". VUE ON | DESIGN 44 VUENJ.COM

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