Manhattan Chapter

Spotlight on: Mimi Levitan, MJL Design Group: Talent or Luck, Take Your Pick

2 days ago

rex-aquirre

By Maureen Klein

Since I was a young girl, I loved drawing houses, developing floor plans and creating spaces with bright colors, says interior designer Mimi Levitan. Both parents encouraged her design interests. At the urging of her Levittown, NY art teacher, Bonnie Newman—who recognized and nurtured her aptitude for architecture and interior design—Mimi applied to the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). She received her Associate Degree in Interior Design in 1977. Mimi decided to continue her education at FIT and applied to, and was thrilled to be accepted into, their first four-year BFA program. “Talent or luck here—take your pick,” says Mimi.

During your teens, were you into sports or other interests?

LOL, not the sports girl in high school, or much of life for that matter (though as an adult I did take up skiing for many years). I was a member of ‘The Mural Club’…we painted all over the halls of the school. I actually loved math and took Architectural Drawing (one of only two girls in that class). History and Spanish were close seconds. Science was always at the bottom of my list. Though we had to take Home Economics, I was given permission to take shop.

Why shop?

I liked the idea of learning how to use a saw, a drill, and how to build things. I already had a pretty good understanding of the ‘home curriculum’ thanks to my mom and both grandmothers, who taught me well.”

Pictured below, one of Mimi's early designs and floor plans created when she was a young girl.

FIT was the only college you applied to. Was it a good fit?

My hard work at FIT paid off. In my Freshman year I won an award from the exclusive Decorators Club, the nation’s oldest women’s professional interior design organization. Also, a classmate and I were selected to develop the design for the NYC headquarters of the National Organization for Women (NOW). Our work was recognized in Interior Design magazine. So yes, the education and opportunities at FIT proved to be a very good fit.

Impressive, and what was your first job in the industry?

During my senior year, I worked for two of my professors who had an architectural firm, Panero Zelnick Associates. I did architectural and design work and was part of the team that completed the illustrations for their book, Human Dimension and Interior Space, which is still available today in many languages. Panero and Zelnik were mentors extraordinaire, and I remained friends with both until their passing.

And after college?

I was fortunate to work for many wonderful design firms. Highlights were serving as Lead Corporate Interior Designer for Switzer Group in NYC; Reel Grobman Associates in Los Angeles; and Gensler Associates in Los Angeles. I worked right up until I gave birth to my first child in 1991. Motherhood became my priority. After my second child, I slowly re-entered the working world by hand painting children’s furniture, kids’ murals, and faux finishes. Around 1994, when my second child was about a year old, a client said, “I wish I had somebody who could help me pick paint colors for my home”. That’s when my re-emergence as an interior designer came about, and MJL Design Group was born, focusing on residential interiors…allowing me to still be a stay at home mom and a career mom as well.

What do you enjoy today outside of design?

I LOVE to travel to cities and countries near and far. Each year I also make sure to take my solo Caribbean cruise for a much-needed recharge. I’m a HUGE fan of Broadway theatre, and after moving back to NYC in 2014, I take full advantage of this magical city. I am always a tourist here.

You mentioned a surprising project at sea?

Yes, that was my BFA thesis, which I did with a classmate. We read about the Navy wanting to start a program to improve habitability on aircraft carriers, so we submitted a proposal. As luck had it, we found ourselves out at sea for several days, analyzing living quarters, library, and other common areas. Following strict naval standards, we completed in-depth research and presented our thesis. Unfortunately the Navy had to squash the upgrade program, but we aced our paper and had the experience of a lifetime. Standing on deck watching planes take off and land—when they say they land on a dime, they’re not kidding.

I’d say, Mimi, it was a lot of talent—and maybe just a little luck—that shaped your amazing and colorful journey. Many thanks for sharing it with us.

Chair below, Mimi started painting kids furniture as a young mom. Recently she was asked to make a duplicate for the grandchild of the original client. A work in progress.

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Spotlight on: Mimi Levitan﻿, MJL Design Group: Talent or Luck, Take Your Pick

Spotlight on: Mimi Levitan, MJL Design Group: Talent or Luck, Take Your Pick