Our Team

Founder | Principle Preservation Designer

A Michigan born and bred native, founder and principal designer Travis Matts has been a creative force from a young age. This innate creativity inevitably led to him studying Interior Design at Bowling Green State University (Bowling Green, OH). Coupled with a longtime passion for history, Matts went on to study Historic Preservation at Pratt Institute (Brooklyn, NY) on a mission to better understand the value of historic architecture. Unknowingly, this HP program set Matts on a course to focus on and fully appreciate the value of historic interiors. This path, tied to his background in interior design, and an undying desire to establish an independent brand and design identity within the field, led Matts to found Mavis + Roots. By coupling interior design with historic preservation, Matts is growing a segment of the architecture field that has been largely overlooked by designers and preservationists alike - bringing to the forefront the importance and beauty of historic interior spaces. 

Studio Manager | The "Boss"

The first team member to join Mavis + Roots, Finley Roots is not only the feline professional and representative in our studio, he is also Studio Manager, and the "Boss". 

At 8 months old, Roots was quick to develop his own brand, showcasing on Instagram in the Fall of 2020. 

Along with this Instagram identity (now shared with his brother, Fergus) Finley is a crucial talent in reviewing project samples, floor plans, and overall aesthetic appeal. 

Creative | Woof Security

The most recent addition to the Mavis + Roots team, Fergus Roots is the primary entertainment and creative muse for the M+R studio. 

A 3 month old Bichon Frisée/Maltese mix, Roots  joined our team unexpectedly as a rescue situation, and the M+R team couldn't be happier to welcome him home! Aside from being chief sniffer of project samples, Roots can be found with his brother Finley on their Instagram @finandferg.