For DesignTeam Plus interior designer Donna Mackowiak, a house or apartment is not simply “a place to sleep,” but a personal canvas that reflects a homeowner’s taste and priorities, a place that can enhance one’s health and wellbeing.

Understanding the mindset of clients in order to achieve their goals has always fascinated Mackowiak, and this curiosity motivated her to pursue a career in interior design, even as she grew up mentored by her father, an architect. “Initially, I thought I would follow in his footsteps, but at Kendall College of Art and Design, I became really interested in the ways light, fixtures, fabrics, and color can affect mood, and evoke positive energy.”

Mackowiak is a key team member designing commercial and residential projects, researching materials and collaborating with DTP’s architects and designers while keeping clients on track, and sharpening her skills, as she works alongside owners Shari Stein and Harold Remlinger. “They have a way of speaking with clients confidently and honestly that earns their respect, and that kind of openness is valued throughout our company. We’re asked to be true to ourselves, and that confidence allows you to put yourself out there for a client, take their feedback, and achieve their goals.”

“As a company, we have an atmosphere of connectedness, and that is what makes us distinct, and successful.”