Page 34 - Allison's Magazine Issue #97

Laura Hodges is a Baltimore-
based interior designer whose
worldwide travels and passion
A BALTIMORE for design from an early age have

given her a keen eye, making her
DESIGN ODYSSEY projects truly tailored to the client.

Laura discusses her signature
interview with laura hodges | written by rebecca poole | photography by jennifer hughes
aesthetic, the importance of
practicing sustainability, and what

has impacted her work the most.

Where does your love for design What is your process like as you What’s your favorite piece in your
stem from, and how did you break approach each project? own home?
into the business? I always start with an in-depth I found a beautiful, handmade Italian
My family traveled a lot when I was discussion with my clients to find out Savonarola chair from the early 1900s
growing up, so I was exposed to many not only their practical and functional at an estate sale, and it has remained my
styles of architecture and design, which needs for the space but also how they favorite piece.
expanded as I began traveling on my want to feel in their home and what
own as a young adult. I earned my would bring them joy and a sense of You’ve traveled to many places in
interior design degree from the New calm. From there, I look to their art your life. How have your travels
York School of Interior Design and collection (if they have one), travels, and impacted your work?
worked with distinguished designers interests, as well as my own intuitive I absolutely love traveling and never
such as Jamie Drake and Thomas Jayne take on their design style, to find want to regret not having made the
after graduating, before starting my own inspiration for their project. effort to visit historically significant or
firm in 2016. naturally beautiful places. My travels
Where do you find the balance inform me every day—whether it’s the
You define your aesthetic as between functionality and style? colors, culture, and style of another
clean and classic. How do you Luckily, we’re in an age when style and country or simply understanding how
incorporate this aesthetic into functionality do not need to be mutually historically important architecture feels
your various projects? exclusive anymore. We have access to in person. I grew up traveling to France
As much as I love seeing new trends so many beautiful fabrics and materials and England with my family, which
and design styles, I always take my cues that are specifically designed to last. The formed my love for classical architecture.
from classical architecture and design. primary function always comes first, but I later traveled to countries like Peru,
I lean more toward a modern take on we consider both at the same time and Thailand, and Morocco, and they really
traditional shapes with an emphasis on happily have to make few compromises. opened my eyes to more extensive
contrast and form. design styles and cultural influences.

32 | AMERICAN LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE americanlifestylemag.com | 33