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About

Marita Simmons

principal & lead designer

Before she even knew what the term “floor plans” meant, Marita knew she loved drawing them. As a child, she’d open a fresh pad of paper and dream of the various ways a house could be laid out to achieve maximum living potential. This love-affair with houses lead to a degree in Architecture from Miami University (Ohio), and upon graduation, she took her passion for designing beautiful spaces to the related field of Interior Design. 

Marita learned her thoughtful approach from the brilliant designers she had the opportunity to work with along the way. She spent time with two high-end interior design firms in Chicago and Minneapolis, where she developed a keen attention to detail and a snobbery for textiles that can make a project extraordinary. Both firms relied heavily on the critical relationship of architecture to its interiors, and is something she remains fervent about as a designer today.

Her style, described as classic with an edge, combines timeless pieces with exuberant and unexpected touches that breathe life and originality to a project. Experienced in an assortment of styles and genres, Marita assures every project is executed tastefully and maintains a connection to the architecture surrounding it. 

After moving from Chicago in 2007, Marita now proudly calls the Twin Cities home alongside her supportive husband Eric, and three highly energetic children, Emme, Cal and Charlie.

Krysta gibbons

senior designer

Summers spent tearing up linoleum floors in her parents’ 1906 home laid the foundation for Krysta’s love of interior transformations. After growing up overseas and in the south, her passion for design would lead her back to the Midwest to seek a degree in interior design from the University of Minnesota. 

Upon graduating, Krysta moved to Chicago and gained experience with a design firm working on a diverse set of projects including some commercial design. Still yearning to pursue her passion for enhancing old homes and a steadier volume of residential design, Krysta returned to the Twin Cities as lead interior designer for a full service Design/Build firm. Her wealth of early experience gave Krysta the confidence to apply for a position in the high-end design market, where Krysta sought employment from a prestigious interiors firm, only to lose the position to a girl named Marita…a name that would stick in her head for years to come.

Eventually offered an opportunity to work for another reputable firm in the Twin Cities, Krysta went on to gain invaluable experience working alongside an industry leader. When Marita contacted her a few years later to talk design and juggling babies, a three hour coffee date turned into the start of an exciting business collaboration and a destined friendship.  

Krysta resides in St. Paul, where she can still be found tearing up linoleum floors in her fixer-upper with her husband Andrew, and their three daughters, Georgie, Stella and Birdie (Cora).

Karli Jelen

Designer & Project Coordinator

When her parents decided to remodel their farmhouse in Southwest Minnesota, they turned to a long-trusted design advisor…their (then 14 year-old) daughter, Karli. For years she had been working to convince them the ways her design concepts and paint color ideas could improve the home. By giving her the opportunity to put this creativity into practice, they helped solidify her desire to pursue a career in interior design. 

Karli obtained her degree from Alexandria Tech, where she graduated with honors. She brought her small-town roots, and strong work-ethic along with her to Minneapolis, which helped secure her first position in project management at a high-end residential design firm. That valuable experience provided her a wealth of industry knowledge before joining the Kipling House team in May, 2016.

Karli’s incredible eye for detail, impeccable organizational skills, and love of timeless design made her a perfect fit within this wonderfully collaborative team.

Karli resides in Minneapolis where she enjoys exploring the twin cities with friends, and can occasionally be found watching the Bachelor while doodling various ways to reconfigure the furniture in her apartment.

Kate Pacyna

Office Manager & Client Billing 

Kate has always been a predominantly left-brained person who loves to work in creative environments. After graduating with a degree in Marketing from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, Kate channelled this strength into a career in advertising. For ten years she managed several high-profile client accounts. 

After her first child was born, she decided to focus on parenting and stayed home while shepherding her family through 3 cross-country moves. To say she knows a little bit about getting settled in a home is an understatement!

At Kipling House she’s the one who makes sure all the bills are paid, the printer has paper and toner, and client invoices get out the door.

She lives in Edina with her husband, Mark and her two children Wyatt and Claire. 

contact

Phone

(612) 767-0356

Email

office@kiplinghouse.com
marita@kiplinghouse.com
krysta@kiplinghouse.com

location

275 Market Street
Suite No. 513
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55405