Christine Kepko has been a member of the MDP Inspired Design Team for six years. Her creative process is driven by the mantra—Empathy and relationship first, design with passion and love, and be inspired by living and working. Her passion for design, and 27 years of experience, is currently contributing to the creative process for The Plaza, Broadview Senior Living at Purchase College and ongoing project work at Jefferson’s Ferry.

Since her childhood, Christine has explored her creativity. Drawing, painting and art classes led to conversations with art teachers about possible creative career paths. One teacher gave her a piece of graph paper and asked her to draw her house on it. This ignited her interest in interior design, and the rest is history. Christine attended Arcadia University (formerly known as Beaver College) in Pennsylvania. She received a BFA in Interior Design and has since become a NCIDQ Certified interior designer.

 

Christine’s college experience exposed her to a diverse, international student body which sparked her interest in travel and designing with a global perspective. She gained valuable space planning and finish selection experience with a variety of firms early in her career and enjoyed exploring historic preservation and hospitality design. While working independently during the 2008-2009 recession, Christine had the opportunity to collaborate with an architect on two projects in Dubai.

This exciting moment in her career journey was followed by an invitation to teach. She returned to her alma mater to serve as a full-time interior design instructor and the program’s department head. Christine’s time teaching at Arcadia once again expanded her global perspective. She served as the co-leader for a Spring Preview trip to Sicily, Italy focused on global migration. In addition, she was one of eight faculty members selected to travel to Havana, Cuba to explore the multicultural influences on architecture in Cuba. (This was during the Cuban travel ban. The borders were only opened for educators to visit.)

While Christine fostered the learning of the next generation of interior designers, she continued her own professional growth with consulting work. It was during this ten-year period that she connected with MDP. When she eventually transitioned out of teaching, MDP was lucky to welcome her full-time.

“Working with MDP and specializing in senior living design brings a breadth of different environments and design opportunities together. This allows me to tap into my years of experience creating office, hospitality and residential spaces. That is why I love being a part of MDP’s Inspired Design Team.”

 

Enjoy this Q&A with Christine:

 

1. What do you love most about designing senior living environments?

Creating stimulating environments that are not only beautiful, but spaces that have a profound impact on the physical and mental well-being of residents. It is rewarding to create home-like spaces that function well for seniors.

 

2. If you had a theme song, what would it be? Why?

Perfect Day by Lou Reed

This song reminds me to enjoy the little pleasures in life and to put aside conflicts I may have with my own selfishness, ego and fears.

 

3. Where is your favorite place to travel?

Europe

 

4. What is your favorite meal to cook?

Anything Italian. It reminds me of tradition and is a connection to my family’s heritage.