Emily Mughannam, passion for interior design

Craig Lee / Special to The Chronicle

STYLEMAKER SPOTLIGHT: Emily Mughannam

"I've always been interested in interior design," says Emily Mughannam. "For as long as I can remember, I've been affected by space, light, texture and color. Even as a kid, I'd rearrange my room regularly, and that play turned into a passion."

In 2007, after years of consulting with a number of design and architectural practices, Mughannam launched EM Design ( http://www.emdesigninteriors.com). "I enjoy being surrounded by beautiful things every day, and I love the relationships I develop with my clients and my vendors," she says. Many of her clients are families with young children - something she, as a mother of a 3-year-old son and 19-month-old daughter, can relate to.

While previously working with local firms Jeffers Design Group and Steven Miller Design Studio, Mughannam had the opportunity to contribute to the prestigious San Francisco Decorator Showcase. This year, EM Design was awarded the teen room; and she's participating on her own. (The annual event started this weekend.)

Mughannam's space features seating that she describes as "a super-huge sofa sectional pit," modern patterns and a neon sign. "It's fun to let my imagination run wild and have that be the guide in my design decisions," she says. "The little Emily who loved to make over her own room as a kid now has a chance to do it for real, and the sky is the limit!"

Color splash: "I have a very clean design point of view, but something I always love to integrate is a splash of color in unexpected places. Maybe all of the trim is navy blue, the ceiling is painted a wild color, or wallpaper is applied on just an accent wall or on the ceiling. A new product that I used in my Showcase room is a perfect example: Timothy Sue's Hearts Apart in chartreuse is a colorful pattern on the ceiling that is completely unexpected and easily removable." ( http://www.timothysue.com)

Family-friendly design: "Don't be afraid to buy and really put to use that sofa you love - just be smart and upholster it in a durable fabric. There are lots of options these days that look and feel great and won't get ruined when your kids draw on them. For example, consider outdoor fabric such as the Kravet Soleil collection for indoor upholstery." ( http://www.kravet.com)

Pattern play: "I am a nut for great patterned pillows. For larger furniture pieces, I tend to go safe on the colors and patterns, but then dress them up with fun pillows. If you outgrow the colors you loved last year, it's not a huge expense to revive your room with new pillows. Layering adds dimension and interest. Lotus Bleu is one of my favorite local sources." ( http://www.lotusbleudesign.com)

Inspiration and ideas: "My design process often includes creating a look book or inspiration board. Whether it's on a computer or bulletin board, I find that seeing all of your favorite items or fabric swatches together in one place helps you visualize the vibe of the space. I love using Pinterest with clients because we can both pin our ideas and communicate virtually in between meetings. You'll begin to see a pattern in the items you like and the colors you're drawn to." ( http://www.pinterest.com)

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Emily Mughannam, passion for interior design