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I’m an Interior Designer

February 2026
By Laura Hodges, as told to Chava Pearl Lansky | Illustrations by Rafael Alvarez

Courtesy of Laura Hodges

Laura Hodges has always been fascinated by architecture and decorating. As an interior designer, she is responsible for planning all the elements inside a building. That includes the flooring, lighting, cabinetry, window treatments (curtains and shades), furniture, bedding, and everything in between. “If you were to turn the house upside down, it’s everything that would fall out,” Laura says.

Laura runs her own design studio and shop with her husband, who is responsible for the business operations. Together they manage a team of six employees. “To be an interior designer, you have to split your brain between the creative and the technical,” says Laura. “You have to be able to come up with ideas—and know how to make them happen.”

When I was little, my grandfather built me a dollhouse, and my grandmother made all the curtains and bedding. I didn’t put any dolls in it. Instead, I spent hours redecorating each room.

I went to college for business and then worked in marketing. I had a friend who was in interior design school, and I realized that’s what I wanted to do too.

I went back to school and got a degree in interior design. I took classes like technical drawing, architecture, plumbing, and lighting. I also had an internship with a design firm.

I spent a year working for a designer, then I opened my own studio. We design luxury homes, restaurants, and offices. Sometimes, we also design furniture.

I love bringing my clients’ visions to life. There are always problems that we have to fix, but troubleshooting and coming up with creative solutions is endlessly satisfying.

You Might Like Being an Interior Designer If . . .

  • You like art and math. Interior designers have to be able to draw, use computer programs, and do calculations to make models of their designs. “It’s important to understand geometry,” says Laura.
  • You like to understand how things work. “You need to know not just what a cool chair looks like but the physics of how it stands up,” says Laura.
  • You’re observant. Whether she’s at a museum or in a friend’s kitchen, Laura always pays attention to detail. “Try it sometime,” she says. “For example, in a public space, think about why the ceilings are so high.”
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