Senior Interior Designer
Raised in Central California, Reese’s passion for design and construction began early—building homes out of Legos and drawing inspiration from a family deeply rooted in creative trades. Her grandfather designed and built homes, her father is an engineer, and her grandmother was a seamstress. With a mother who loved fashion and interiors, Reese developed an innate appreciation for the intersection of design, architecture, and craftsmanship.
She studied architecture for three years, including a year at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, before realizing her true calling was in interior design. During college, she gained valuable experience working for two architecture firms. After earning her degree in Interior Design, she relocated to Lake Tahoe and began her career in the design-build realm, where she spent several years honing her craft on custom residential projects.
She continues to find joy and inspiration in thoughtful, intentional design--but her favorite role by far is being a mom. Raising her two daughters continuously inspires her to grow, stay curious, and become a better version of herself each day. When she's not working, Reese can be found hiking, skiing, or enjoying time at the beach with her girls--continually inspired by the natural beauty of the Tahoe region.
She studied architecture for three years, including a year at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, before realizing her true calling was in interior design. During college, she gained valuable experience working for two architecture firms. After earning her degree in Interior Design, she relocated to Lake Tahoe and began her career in the design-build realm, where she spent several years honing her craft on custom residential projects.
She continues to find joy and inspiration in thoughtful, intentional design--but her favorite role by far is being a mom. Raising her two daughters continuously inspires her to grow, stay curious, and become a better version of herself each day. When she's not working, Reese can be found hiking, skiing, or enjoying time at the beach with her girls--continually inspired by the natural beauty of the Tahoe region.
All Staff
In 2003, we decided to fulfill a shared life’s dream and build a house together. As a couple, we, like many, are similar and different. My husband is practical, traditional and focused. I am creative, more risk oriented and flexible. We sought architectural partners who could relate to and manage our differences, as well as guide us, since we were new to building.
We found our architects in Kurt Reinkens, Managing Partner and Kristi Thompson, Architect at MBA. They listened carefully to our ideas, our architectural style preferences and to our lifestyle needs. They guided us regarding realistic expectations for our project. Then, they jointly conceived of and designed the prototype of our dream home.
At that juncture, project leadership, plans, and working drawings fell to Kristi.
For the 18 months it took to build our home, she ably interfaced with our builder, countless subcontractors and other interior, and landscape designers. She was aware of her role, patient, responsive and strong. She listened when appropriate, kept us informed and guided, when appropriate. She impressed us with her quiet interpersonal strength and was kind and sensitive when the job (as building a house always does) took its toll on our nerves.
I particularly appreciated her kindness in helping me with the project during a year when we both lost our fathers find our teenage son posed some challenges. She also encouraged his involvement in the design of “his” spaces.
Kristi combines rare creativity and practical management skills. She knows when to lead and when to step back and listen. She is also a fine person.
She is very talented. We recommend her highly.
-- Tom and Cathy Van Berkem
We found our architects in Kurt Reinkens, Managing Partner and Kristi Thompson, Architect at MBA. They listened carefully to our ideas, our architectural style preferences and to our lifestyle needs. They guided us regarding realistic expectations for our project. Then, they jointly conceived of and designed the prototype of our dream home.
At that juncture, project leadership, plans, and working drawings fell to Kristi.
For the 18 months it took to build our home, she ably interfaced with our builder, countless subcontractors and other interior, and landscape designers. She was aware of her role, patient, responsive and strong. She listened when appropriate, kept us informed and guided, when appropriate. She impressed us with her quiet interpersonal strength and was kind and sensitive when the job (as building a house always does) took its toll on our nerves.
I particularly appreciated her kindness in helping me with the project during a year when we both lost our fathers find our teenage son posed some challenges. She also encouraged his involvement in the design of “his” spaces.
Kristi combines rare creativity and practical management skills. She knows when to lead and when to step back and listen. She is also a fine person.
She is very talented. We recommend her highly.
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