Kelly Bodnar

Maison Birmingham

Michigan State Chapter

Asked for the word that best describes her, Kelly Bodnar chose “empathetic” — and it’s a fitting selection. As a designer at Maison Birmingham, she takes a collaborative, holistic approach to her projects, guiding clients through the process by asking questions and piecing together a design that matches how they live and interact in the space. “While a lot of clients have similarities in style, each space is not only different but how they interpret and apply that style is completely unique to them,’’ she says, noting that even two white kitchens can have very distinct end goals and aesthetics.

“Whenever I find myself stuck on design,” she says, “the best way to get those creative juices flowing is to draw or dive into a good book.” 

Kelly’s interest in design stems from two favorite hobbies, both holdovers from childhood weekends spent at her brother’s hockey tournaments. “During the games, I was constantly sketching or reading,” she recalls. “I would lose myself in my sketches or stories, letting my imagination run wild.” She still retreats there today. “Whenever I find myself stuck on design,” she says, “the best way to get those creative juices flowing is to draw or dive into a good book.” 

 After receiving a degree in interior design from Adrian College, Kelly worked initially in Chicago, a city she adores. “One of my favorite things to do was to walk the neighborhoods with my dog and boyfriend,” she recalls. “We would spend hours looking at all the houses — no two the same, but all fitting together, creating these intricate communities.” Kelly, along with her boyfriend and her Siberian Husky, Maizey, returned to her home state in 2019 to join Maison Birmingham, where she sees her work as personal and purposeful, and kitchen and bath design as constantly evolving. “How we live and work in our homes is very different from what it used to be,” she says. “We as designers must always be learning and thinking about design differently. We can never be complacent.”