Stunningly beautiful, a great storyteller and always thought-provoking. Those are the qualities of the perfect dinner party guest, but they are also the traits that separate MaRS Culture interiors from the rest. A visual masterpiece of color, texture and storytelling through details are what the Houston-based interior architecture firm prides itself on.
With more than 60 years of combined experience, Erick Ragni and Kelie Mayfield founded MaRS Culture to bring beauty, function and design integrity to each project they take on. The firm has a robust portfolio of award-winning projects, both stateside and internationally. Their work can be found in everything from corporate high-rises and hotels to restaurants and homes.
“We like to think that our projects are rooted in discovery and craft a story that is particular to our clients or the community. Everything is curated so that it gives you an experience and has an authentic feel when you are in the space,” Kelie says. “The story we create informs every decision we make—everything from the flooring material to the artwork, furniture and how we do the lighting on the project.”
Research and working with client’s needs are paramount to the design process for MaRS Culture. Bucking the trend of pretty Pinterest stylized interiors, the firm believes creating a genuine aesthetic is what makes their projects withstand the test of time. Depending on the scope and size of the project, the research phase can take weeks or even months. For MaRS Culture, it is about sifting through the fine details and creating design elements around them.
“There is a lot of depth and thought that goes into the way we do design, and that goes right down to the minutia of the project like the stitching on a pillow. We like to be in a timeless space. The work that we do is very informed by a meticulous decision-making process that is the foundation of each project,” Erick says.
Houstonians can find several of MaRS Culture projects throughout the city: Buffalo Heights, The Laura, 811 Main, as well as the tallest downtown residential community, The Preston, which will be completed in 2022.
“We are always excited when we get an opportunity to work with Hines. The Preston is going to be a one-of-a-kind luxury community, and we can’t wait to unveil it to Houston,” Erick says.