Marissa Murray is a designer at the Kohler Signature Store by Supply New England located here at 7 Tide. She showed early signs of being design-obsessed (rearranging and repainting spaces in the home she grew up in) and now she’s happy to be doing what she loves for a living. Marissa has worked on a variety of projects in the Greater Boston area and we caught up with her recently.

1. What drew you to interior design?

When I was little, I was constantly rearranging any space I entered. I was always critiquing layouts, color schemes and even decorations everywhere I went. My parents were always so great in letting me rearrange the house whenever I saw fit. They allowed me to move things from one location to another, and they even let me change the color scheme in a room to match the current trends. From an early age, I knew interior design was something I wanted to do.

2. What are your favorite types of projects to work on?

My favorite projects are the full bathroom remodels. Whether it’s a master bathroom, secondary bath, or powder room, I just love being involved throughout the entire project. Seeing a client transform their space into something they have always wanted is the most rewarding part of my job. 

3. Which Kohler product are you particularly excited about?

I am currently excited about the Tournant Kitchen Faucet. Not only do I love the grand semi-professional design as a statement piece in the kitchen, but the functionality of the three different spray options meets any kitchen’s needs. Tournant has three spray functions: an aerated spray for tasks like filling pots and pans, a powerful sweep spray to help get those hard to clean dishes, and a BerrySoft spray to gently wash produce without causing any bruising. 

4. How’s the new Boston location? (The Kohler Signature Store opened in April of this year.)

The new Boston location is great. When we first moved in, I was most excited to just be in the Boston market and have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects in the area. I’ve worked on old historic brownstones and helped preserve some of the traditional designs, but also modern high-rise condos that are popping up everywhere. It is the best of both worlds to work in this city.

5. What should homeowners who are looking into a bath remodel consider before they come into the Kohler Signature Store?

Homeowners should consider a few things when looking into a bathroom remodel. In the Boston area, it is important to consider if you have another bathroom to use while this one is being remodeled. Some of the homes in this area just have one main bathroom, making it important to find other bathroom accommodations during construction. Another thing to keep in mind would be the timeline for the project. Although we stock a large majority of items in a local warehouse, some things may need to be ordered and lead times need to be taken into account. One last suggestion I have is to find a local contractor that can do the work within the homeowner’s timeline. We offer third party recommendation for contractors in the area to help get them started.

6. What do you like about being in the Seaport?

I am really drawn to the architectural diversity that the up-and-coming Seaport has to offer. It has a perfect integration of the old traditional Boston architecture and the new modern high-rise buildings. I love seeing how those two styles can really come together in a unified design. 

7. What do you like to do for fun on your days off?

On my days off, I love nothing more than spending time with my four-legged babies. I am a huge animal lover and I am known to waste my whole day exploring the woods with my horse and dog then come home and cuddle up on the couch with a good book.