Sunday, September 03, 2006

Keeping an eye on trends

ALEXANDER REID
Boston Globe (Mass., USA)
September 3, 2006


Stephen Suon is hoping his knack for fashion, colors, and design opens a route to business success in Lowell.

He recently started his own interior design company, and is focused on building a reputation and a portfolio of clients. ``I'm nervous but I'm excited," said Suon, talking in a rush. ``This is a huge, huge moment -- running my own company."

Suon, 32, has been preparing for this moment for years. Born in Cambodia, he arrived in the United States with his family from a refugee camp in Thailand. After living in Chicago, then Sacramento, the family moved to Lowell in 1987.

He studied electronics at Greater Lowell Technical High School and later took courses in business administration at Middlesex Community College, from which he received an associate's degree. After that, Suon studied art and interior design at the University of Massachusetts at Boston.

``I was always interested in function and design," he said. ``Today, it's all about not being ordinary, being fresh and new."

Suon worked in a number of temporary jobs during his school years. But in 2002, while working in a clerical position, he decided to take the leap.

``I did it part time," he said. ``I designed parties and special events, which was a great way to break into the business because people come and get a chance to see your work. If they're impressed, they ask, `Who did this?' "

As word got around, clients began calling. Suon began to take on projects designing offices and restaurants, as well as living spaces in private homes.

Lowell developer John DeAngelis hired Suon to decorate about 5,000 square feet of lobby spaces in the commercial and residential loft properties he's developed downtown.

``I heard about him and saw some of his work in Lowell," he said. ``He's definitely futuristic and stylish, particularly in his colors, furniture styles, and the way he decorates . It's a look I wanted."

Early success motivated Suon to devote himself fully to his vocation. Last year, he started his business, Modern Concept Design. DeAngelis, who has become one of his biggest clients, has hired Suon to decorate the roughly 80,000 square feet of office and loft space he bought inside the American Textile History Museum. ``I never stopped using him," DeAngelis said.

With Lowell immersed in a renaissance that's transforming mill buildings and factories into offices and luxury condominiums, some priced at $750,000 or more, Suon believes he has positioned himself to capitalize on the market for high-end interior design. But he also hopes to expand beyond Lowell.

``I want to work in the Boston and New York markets, and eventually South Beach, Miami."

For now, he said, he grosses roughly $30,000 a year, but he expects that to increase dramatically as his business grows. ``My line of work is driven by trends, and they're always changing. What's hot today gets old soon. You need a good sense to know what's on the way out and what's new. People with money want the newest thing."

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