Meet Mikel

It’s time for a little bit of a reintroduction around these parts, right? I often get asked about how I got my start in the design world, and I thought I’d take some time to share that with all of you—though it’s a bit of a long story, so buckle up as I take you through the past decade-plus of my professional journey!

I, like many 22 year olds, didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do when I graduated from college. My mom told me to find my passion—she promised that whatever it was, it would be something I would happily pursue every day for free. I was working at Bloomingdale’s in Atlanta at the time, and one day I decided to pop into Crate and Barrel during my lunch break. After browsing for what I thought was just a brief period of time, I looked down at my watch and noticed my lunch hour was nearly over. I began to realize that maybe design was my calling, and I decided to look for work in the field. My first design job came to me via a Craigslist posting—a man nearby was looking for a design assistant. I worked with him for a year and half learning the basics, but then I realized I could go out and design on my own! 

So I took to Craigslist again. 

This time, I put up a post advertising my services free of charge. I told prospective clients I’d design a room of their choosing, 100 percent gratis, so long as they covered the cost of furniture. They were elated. Using this tactic, I quickly began to build a portfolio and eventually felt ready to make my next move. But I wanted to let Craigslist help me decide where to go. So I placed my original ad in a few new-to-me cities: New York, LA, and Miami. Wherever my services gathered the most interest would be where I’d go—and NYC was the winner. 

I moved to New York, and, like many young people new to the city, spent some time crashing on a friend’s sofa while I got settled at my first paying job. I worked at the Container Store on 59th and Lexington, where I’d spend the hours of 8 pm to 2 am unloading the delivery truck. It was there that I met my mentor, Jillian Browder of JMB Designs—she gave me my start in prop styling/designer showhouses, and I left to work with her.

But of course, there’s yet another twist! After a few years, I moved back to working in retail, this time taking a job at CB2. One day, a man came into the store and introduced himself as a set decorator on the TV show Dexter. He told me that if I ever came to LA, he’d set me up with a job. So, I did what any young and hungry designer would do—I asked my CB2 manager if I could transfer to Los Angeles, and my coworker kindly chipped in to buy me a plane ticket. 

While the Dexter gig didn’t pan out, a number of other things did. I was offered the position of set director on a show called Jerseylicious (meaning my coworker was on the hook for yet another plane ticket back to NYC), and worked on that team for a year. Because I had a business degree, the executive director asked me to stay on in the accounting department. 

But shortly thereafter, Craigslist became my friend for a fifth time. A show called HGTV Design Star was hosting auditions. When I showed up for the casting call, there were 2,000 people in line. The woman I spoke with asked me about my design credentials, and I told her that I was self-taught but managed to wow her with my portfolio. I ended up being cast for that season and came in fourth place. 

After the show ended, I needed another job and became connected with The Steve Harvey Show in Chicago. One day, I met Steve at 4 am before his radio show started. I told him I wanted my own TV show, and he told me no one had ever worked up the courage to say that to him before. I ended up becoming in charge of styling the green rooms for Steve Harvey’s TV guests, making these spaces look special for the likes of Michelle Obama, Hoda and Kathy Lee, and even Oprah. Once again, these projects became part of my design portfolio. 

Fast forward to today, where I’m happily working on Murder House Flip, where a serve as a host and design expert, have created a furniture line with Yosemite Home Decor, and frequently appear on The Drew Barrymore Show as a “Drew Crew Member” alongside Ross Matthews, Pilar Valdes, and of course, Drew herself. 

If you’re itching to learn more, I’m answering a few basics as well as some this and that questions down below. 

Getting to Know…

My Design Style: I refer to my design style as “primitive modern”: think a mix of rustic and raw edges with linens and softer materials woven in, too. I enjoy mixing modern fabrics like boucle with raw edge material. 

Where I Gather My Inspiration: I’m inspired by the streets of New York, and designer friends of mine including Emily Henderson, Amber Lewis, Shea McGee, Jake Arnold, Michael Del Piero, and others. 

Quick Takes…

Go-to Cocktail: Old Cuban 

Favorite City: London

Vintage or New: Vintage, but recovered with new fabric

Favorite musical artist: Beyonce

Favorite pattern: Washed linen