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MEET THE TEAM

OWNER & LEAD DESIGNER

Marissa Sauer

Marissa Sauer is the visionary behind Design MACS, an all-inclusive Design & Build firm based in New Jersey with offices in Bergen and Hudson Counties. With a passion for creating functional, unique, and beautiful spaces, Marissa has made a name for herself in the design industry, working with celebrities like Kris Humphries, Today Show correspondent Jenna Wolfe, and Charles Kelley from the country music group Lady Antebellum. Her expertise has also been showcased on popular HGTV shows such as Man Caves, Designed to Sell, and Dear Genevieve, as well as series on the DIY Network and A&E.

CO-OWNER & CEO

Ariel Spivak

Ariel is the CEO of Design MACS, where he leverages his extensive experience in business strategy and operations to drive the firm's success. With a career spanning multiple businesses, he has a proven track record in strategizing growth, refining operational processes, and identifying expansion opportunities. His expertise extends to internet marketing and search engine optimization (SEO), as well as leading dynamic sales and marketing teams. This experience complements his passion for enhancing and refining the client experience. Under his leadership, Design MACS continues to excel in delivering innovative design solutions and achieving business excellence.

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INTERIOR DESIGNER

Kate Mangin

An alumna of Parsons School of Design, Kate brings over 8 years of diverse experience spanning architectural, hospitality, and residential interior design. For nearly 3 years, she has been a member of the Design MACS team, where she specializes in creating immersive and functional spaces that blend creativity with practicality.

 

Her design path is fueled by a lifelong passion for creativity, stemming from a love of painting, drawing, photography, and hands-on craftsmanship. She is also deeply versed in the technical aspects of design, leveraging advanced computer program skills to enhance the design process.

 

Beyond design, her interests are eclectic, ranging from exploring the latest video games and technology to immersing herself in art, music, and literature.

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INTERIOR DESIGNER

Lauren Collette

After graduating from High Point University in 2019 with a degree in Interior Design, Lauren promptly joined the Design MACS team. She began as an intern during her junior year before seamlessly transitioning into a permanent role as a designer and project manager.

 

Inspired by balanced design, Lauren creates clean spaces that are both timeless and fresh. She has not only developed her skills in the office but also working the High Point Furniture Market gaining invaluable industry experience as well as honing her ability to develop concepts to fit each clients' unique style.

 

When not busy designing homes for clients, you can find her enjoying quality time with her dog Bentley or traveling and exploring new destinations.

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DESIGN ASSISTANT

Jessica Winkler

Jessica graduated from Marywood University with a bachelor's degree in Interior Architecture in 2023. She started as an intern at Design MACS shortly after graduating and later joined the team as our design assistant.
 

Jessica is involved in every step of the design process, developing her skills along side the designers. In addition to her design work, Jessica plays a key role in managing our social media, where she curates engaging content to enhance our brand's online presence.

In her free time, Jessica can be found reading, hiking, and watching movies.

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OFFICE DOG

PARKER

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OFFICE DOG

BENTLEY GEORGE

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OFFICE DOGS

PETUNIA AND ROSIE

OUR PROCESS

01.

concept

02.

development

03.

management

- Mesurements and drafting

- Inspiration photos

- Layouts, renderings, and mood boards

- Client review meetings

- Client feedback 

- Revisions

- Prepare bid documents

- Contractor walkthrough

- Source FF&E

- Shopping trips

- Shopping list review

- Revisions 

- Final approval and invoices

- Place orders

- Installation details

- Track shipments

- Oversee installations

- Contractor communication

- Customer service

- On-site visists

- Client updates

- Punch list

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DIANE UNIMAN

5 STAR

Design Macs should change its name to Design Miracles! If you want to work with a designer who listens and understands what you want, even if you don’t know what you want, and can translate that into a space that is incredibly special, practical and livable, Marissa is the one.

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CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

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