Meet Maddie Lord | Interior Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Maddie Lord and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maddie, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I have always found myself pursuing creative outlets. I spent my time drawing and participating in theater from a young age. As I got older, I found that same joy and happiness in interior design – a career where I could continue to pursue my love of drawing and creating. Even though being in the creative field has had many challenges, I have always felt fulfilled and inspired by the career that I have chosen. Designing is something that is constantly surprising me – I am inspired by the work of all the talented designers in this industry and the evolving trends and advancements in sustainability.

What should our readers know about your business?
I run a hospitality, commercial, and residential interior design firm based in San Diego. I recently finished a boutique hotel called Orli La Jolla – an incredible two-year project that I am happy to say has earned a lot of positive press and success since its recent launch. Before launching my own business in 2021, I spent a few years working at residential and hospitality firms. It has not been easy, there have been many lessons learned and a lot of professional growth, but it was all worth it to get where I am now. One of the most important lessons I learned was to not be so hard on yourself and to adapt when something does not go as planned. I want the world to know that even though I am a small business owner, I have big dreams to make an impactful contribution to the world of hospitality design.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would make sure they get a taste of various parts of San Diego since the city has so much to offer. For breakfast, I recommend Sugar & Scribe, Wayfarer Bread, Morning Glory, and Breakfast Republic. A few of my favorite lunch places are La Perla, Board and Brew, Homestyle Hawaiian, and Liberty Public Market. For dinner, you can’t miss Animae, Cersarina’s, Puesto, and Din Tai Fung. I would highly recommend visiting Cardiff-by-the-Sea and, after walking the coast, trying the famous Cardiff Crack at Seaside Market. I’d also make a trip to La Jolla Cove to see the seals and sea lions at the Children’s Pool. Then, I would head downtown and walk around the Gaslamp before going to a Padres game. Finally, I’d insist on a trip to Coronado to do a beach walk and see the historical Hotel del Coronado.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my parents and sister who have always been supportive of me in my career and have done whatever they can to help. When I told them my idea to start my own company, they were incredibly supportive and encouraging. They have a variety of professional skills which they have been generous to lend to me when I need help – I truly feel as if they are part of my team. I’d also like to give a special shout-out to one of my best friends, Emily, who was integral in helping refer me an opportunity that transformed my business in 2021.

Website: https://www.mldesignco.com/

Instagram: mldesignco

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ml-design-co/

Image Credits
Trevor Barber (@cantstoptrev)