Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Mann
Hi Shannon, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started Mann Design in the 90s with just a few clients and one employee. I think a large part of our success stems from my mentors and the people we’ve built relationships with along the way. My parents raised us with the belief in gathering and creativity. We were surrounded by incredible people: artists, authors, civic doers, broad thinkers.
The Houston designer, Mary Ann Bryant was an empowering mentor of mine. She was a big player in the 90s when I was first starting out. Her design career spanned 35 years. She focused on teaching the principles in the business of design and empowering women and men in the industry. She was all about collaboration – she began peer tables that brought designers, architects and trades together to problem solve and elevate one another. It all comes back to gathering.
Martha Turner, was another pioneer female in Houston, I had the opportunity to work for her and her leadership, compassion and enthusiasm was formidable at the perfect time in my life.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been a long journey! We’ve been in business since the 90’s. During particularly hard times, I always come back to trusting my instincts and my inner knowing. Our goal is to be where we are today – working on projects we love, with clients we enjoy, and surrounded by a community who gives back. For the future, we strive for: sustainability, profitability, and abundance.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Mann Design?
Mann Design is a high-end residential design studio that brings beautiful and soulful environments to life, but we also focus largely on giving back to education and the arts in Houston. We have a strong, intuitive connection with people, nature, and art. We design to evoke feelings of connection. Our approach is highly curated and intentional.
It’s been a long journey! We’ve been in business since the 90’s. During particularly hard times, I always come back to trusting my instincts and my inner knowing. Our goal is to be where we are today – working on projects we love, with clients we enjoy, and surrounded by a community who gives back. For the future, we strive for: sustainability, profitability, and abundance.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
We truly believe that exceptional design can provide balance to all parts of life.
Our homes are where we live our lives. Spaces and rooms where we gather, relax, rejuvenate, laugh, and so much more.
When I approach a new project, I honor these activities and the people in their environments as places to create beautiful lives. Design is not necessarily the walls; design is the space between the walls. I believe good design is more about how a space makes you feel.
Our team’s priority is to interpret each client’s individual needs — we work together to create a favorable living environment within the framework of exceptional design.
We achieve this balance through the use of scale and proportion, the combination of architectural elements, lighting details, and an organic flow.
I love the natural environment; therefore I keep the visual connection between the built and the natural from the very beginning of a project. From the first strokes on a sketchpad to hanging that last piece of art on the wall — the journey is worth it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://manndesignstudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mann__design/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/manndesignhouston/
Image Credits
Photo of Shannon: Felipe Fenton
Project photos: Divya Pande
