Laura Hodges
photo by Jennifer Hughes
If you could have a second home anywhere, where would you live? Definitely Paris
What are three words to describe your style?
1. Tailored
2. Eclectic
3. Curated
Tell us about your childhood bedroom? It was ever evolving and probably the source of my varied style and appreciation for craftsmanship. I always had posters and photos on the walls, floral curtains hand-sewn by my mum, a wood bed handmade by my dad, an overflowing bookcase filled with my favorite stories and collectibles and way too many stuffed animals.
What’s the first investment piece you ever bought for your house? Our sectional sofa that I custom designed with a bench seat, tailored arms, knife edge back pillows, performance fabric and the exact dimensions that fit our living room. I had it made by a wonderful upholsterer in North Carolina and we love it!
In the history of design, if you could hire any designer other than yourself, who would it be? Billy Baldwin
No room is complete without plants!
People think of me as a perfectionist, but I am really pretty easy going in my day to day life but I do have high expectations for our projects.
Things you omit from:
A flower arrangement: Big leaves that wrap the inside of the vase to hide the stems.
An hors d’oeuvre platter: Cornichons, they make everything they touch taste like vinegar.
A bar cabinet: Anything made of plastic
A song for:
Dinner at home: Girl from Ipanema, Antonio Carlos Jobim
Working at your desk: What You Don’t Do, Lianne La Havas
Going for a run: Is This It, The Strokes
Biggest Vice? Warm chocolate chip cookies… I’ll eat all of them.
If you were on an Ambien high and internet shopping, what would you buy? Beauty products. I think Instagram loves me.
Do your clothes reflect your design sensibility, if so, how? I think so, I tend to have a simple style, that’s not too trendy, with classic pieces you can dress up with great shoes or jewelry.
Who is your star crush? I admit that I’m more likely to watch a Marvel movie with my kids if Idris Elba or Chris Hemsworth is in it.
What is the thing you would never do on a project, but don’t detest when you see others do it?
Design a home that is beautiful but not practical or livable in any way.
If there were a fire, and you could only keep one design book, what would it be?
(Shameless plug) By Design, The World’s Best Contemporary Interior Designers because we have a project featured!
For posterity, what would you like your work to be known for? Creativity and Sustainability. I hope to be known as a designer that was able to create beautiful, unique interiors and custom furniture with a small carbon footprint.
photo by Jennifer Hughes
Your Favorite:
Movie: Reservoir Dogs
Book: The Stranger, Albert Camus
Scent: Lavender
The fabric you always come back to: Linen
Dream project: A boutique hotel
Drink: Kentucky Mule
Hotel: Amangiri
Travel Destination: Thailand
Artist: Henry Ossawa Tanner
A cause near and dear to me: Sustainability and climate change
Thing to collect obsessively: Plants!
Era in the history of design: Art deco
Museum: Baltimore Museum of Art
Paint Color that always looks great: Benjamin Moore Quiet Moments
Favorite person to follow on Instagram: Eyeswoon
Dogs, Cats, or No Pets? Cats (or a mini sheepadoodle)
