Talk Shop: Megan Przywara // Crafted Interiors
About Megan:
For Megan Przywara, what started as a summer design program in high school is now 2 decades of experience in Architecture & Interior Design. As the Head of Architecture at Crafted Interiors, Megan has a strong background in architecture and a passion for sustainable design and brings a wealth of expertise and creativity to the table. She earned her degree from Virginia Tech and is a licensed Architect and Certified Interior Designer in New York State. She worked for many years in commercial architecture & design with renowned architecture firms SOM and STUDIOS Architecture before partnering with David in 2017 to create Crafted Interiors. She is a mom to 2 spirited young daughters and enjoys running, reading, and puzzles and is a proud cross stitcher & knitter.
photo by: Trevor B. Parker
Describe your style in three words or less:
Clean, warm, contemporary
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
Can’t quite pin down three, but the top two are: Living in small spaces in New York City & European travel.
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
I never thought I’d own my own business or even wanted to until about eight years ago. At the time, I was working as an Architect on corporate interior projects, a job I loved. However, after having a baby and returning to work, I found myself struggling to deliver the A+ work I prided myself on, feeling more like a B- employee due to the new and very real constraints on my time as a mother.
Meanwhile, my husband had acquired a Kitchen & Bath company and was facing his own challenges in staying on top of the business. I ended up joining him (he reluctantly agreed) intending to take a back seat and just help out a bit. To my surprise, I discovered that I love residential design and have a passion for the business side of this profession. I now have my own Architecture & Design company and am co-owner of our construction company. This new role and structure have allowed me to deliver A+ work again, combining my skills and passion in a way that fits my new life.
My favorite aspect of what I do is space planning. In my personal life, I love working on jigsaw puzzles, and to me, space planning is just another puzzle waiting to be solved, but with various open-ended creative solutions. I enjoy transforming a client’s wish list into a cohesive layout that creatively meets their needs, and seeing it come to life is incredibly rewarding.
photo by: Trevor B. Parker
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
Throughout my career, I’ve had several mentors who have imparted invaluable lessons that have shaped my professional journey. Two lessons that I incorporate into my daily practice are: “Never draw a line on paper if you don’t know what it is,” and “Why are you showing what you’re showing?” These insights initially challenged my assumptions and humbled me, but ultimately they taught me the importance of fully understanding and being deliberate about every element in a drawing set or a presentation.
What does your home say about you:
At the moment, my home reflects that I’ve been prioritizing client work over my own renovation planning! Despite this, I have a clear vision of what I want my home to eventually say about me. Ultimately, I want my home to reflect that I thrive in an organized environment where everything has its designated place, creating a sense of order and calm. I also aim for my home to be a welcoming and warm space, perfect for hosting gatherings with family and friends.
Where do you find inspiration:
In urban settings where at every turn of the eye there is texture, color, and a jigsaw puzzle of all kinds of things working together in space.
Who are your style icons:
Vera Wang, Jennifer Aniston, Jackie Kennedy
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Great guests are top on the list, then a solid playlist, plenty of food (I learned from my dad to always go overboard with the spread), a variety of drinks, and a furniture setup that ensures everyone is comfortable and that juggling food/drink is made easy.
Do you collect anything:
Solutions to declutter! In all seriousness, moving to and around NYC and living in small spaces has changed how I view collectibles and belongings. I'm not very attached to things in general and haven't collected anything for decades. Anything I collected in my youth is probably in my parents' basement collecting its own dust.
photo by: Trevor B. Parker
Favorite Instagram accounts to follow for inspiration:
@arch_melbourne, @orior_furniture, @navacontemporary
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
As an architect, code-compliance rules are drilled into me, especially in space planning. Once we’re beyond that phase, Interior Design is all fair game and rules are out the window.
What are you working on right now:
The design and planning for our own home renovation is top on the list. I’m also working on some great projects in Manhattan that span across the disciplines of Architecture & Interior Design. All of which you can follow on our Instagram @craftedinteriors.
Wardrobe staples:
Great jeans & well-fitting, stylish shoes that I can walk several miles in each day. I walk to & from the office and job sites whenever I can so good footwear is key!
Favorite fabric/wallpaper:
I’ve been sourcing from the Digital Showroom, SOMERSELLE quite a bit lately and am really in love with the Andes fabric line from Gancedo and the Bums wallpaper in white from She She. Excited to see both of these in a project soon!
Best interior advice you ever received:
If a space doesn’t function for the people using it, it doesn’t matter how pretty it is.
Best career advice you ever received:
I don't remember any specific career advice that had a lasting impact on me. What has truly influenced my career is being surrounded by individuals with a strong work ethic and commitment to their roles. My mom, in particular, has been a crucial role model, shaping my own work ethic and contributing to my success.
photo by: Trevor B. Parker
Types of home purchases you invest in, and save on:
Invest in motorized window treatments, quality beds, and door hardware. Things that directly affect your quality of life/sleep and things you touch every day. Save on ancillary pieces like side tables and throw pillows in rooms you don’t interact with or spend a ton of time in regularly.
photo by: Trevor B. Parker
Your greatest extravagance:
Our condo!
Favorite places to shop for home:
Haute Living for furniture, lighting, rugs & Sur la Table for entertaining
Most prized possession and why:
Family photo albums. In the age of an overload of digital content, there’s something about going through old family photographs that’s so special.
Your interiors motto:
Take a chance.
Your life motto:
Take a chance.
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
Listen to what speaks to you. Don’t get wrapped up in what seems to be popular on Instagram or HGTV. Let what you're drawn to drive your style.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: Pizza
Drink: Flavored seltzers
Film: Footloose
Hotel: Palacio del Bailio in Córdoba, Spain
City: Rome
Bedding: Celso de Lemons
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): Coffee all the way. Black.
Playlist: A curated playlist from a female entrepreneur networking group I’m in where each member contributed a song that resonates with them and their business.
Weekend Activity: Long run with friends
Design Book: The American House by Hannah Jenkins