able to provide the necessities to keep her young child healthy and overcome the illness. Presently, her son is thriving and so is her creativity. Mia proudly and almost tearfully shares “I’m not one to be negative or hide in a corner. I’m going to fight to make things work out, and I will not give up or give in to any negative situation.” Her continuing movement forward with her art led her to a chance meeting with a vendor who recommended she help with a mural project for a larger home. It turned out the owner of the home was the now late Ron Simek also the founder/owner of Tombstone Pizza! As a young, budding artist, this amazing referral resulted in her first major contract for $70,000!! From then, her work flourished as she worked with such famous clients as one of the owners (shared ownership) of the Phoenix Suns as well as the producer of Happy Gilmore among others. Mia has also had her moment in the spotlight as a TV host for The Design Network show titled UpCycled. She loved having the opportunity to host a show and loves the theme and inspiration of The Design Network. Being exposed to so many different outlets as a designer, Mia shares “So many designers are taught or feel they need to know their specific mark. I want to be that designer who doesn’t want to have a uniform mark, but rather work individually to create a unique “mark” with each client. People bring me their dreams, ideas, folly in bits and pieces from magazine tear outs, fabric swatches, etc. I feel I can
dusty blue, bright pinks and leopard prints and the like but
use their uniqueness and be the vessel to bring it all to life
also in her home had simple clean, crisp cool and warm
in the design I create for them.” Mia gives an example of
white linens and the like.” Working within the pulse of the
how she listens to the heart of a person when she goes for-
customer is the key to a result that is individualized yet
ward with a design. “I had a client who was a physician and
classic in its own right. In contrast, I worked on the first
she wanted a fun, happy spot to come home to. She loved a
deeded property in Rancho Mirage, California, a historic
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March/April 2018 | www.LuxeLifestyleMag.com