Designer Showcase: Meet Laurie Soave

We are pleased to welcome Laurie Soave to our designer showcase. Laurie is a wealth of knowledge and experience in interiors and architecture. Laurie Soave is a registered architect with over twenty years of professional experience in the New England area. Her versatility of design experience includes award-winning projects that range from commercial, arts, and dining facilities to single-family homes and loft renovations.  As the client’s advocate, her objective is to listen intently and to educate the owner in the process of design to assist them in making informed decisions. Her passion for design is in the satisfaction that the final project meets the owner’s expectations resulting in spaces that express their style and living sensibilities. Laurie brings her experience from many years working in architectural firms in the Boston and Cambridge area.

What inspired you to enter the world of interior design?

As an architect, I’ve always felt the interiors space is defined by the expression of light, color, and space that help define and most times guide the envelope that is the architecture. I’m inspired by my clients’ visions of what these spaces can be and feel fortunate to be able to make them a reality.

Tell us about your journey to get where you are.

What I love most about my profession is the variety of project types. I’ve been fortunate to explore many specific design challenges. I have many years of design experience relating to the arts, dining, and housing in the academic world. Residential design has been my focus for the past few years in which I find has just as many varying but satisfying challenges.

How would you describe your personal style?

I personally am inspired by clean lines and mid-century modern design. My work though is to provide spaces that are fitting to my clients’ personal styles.

When it comes to kitchen design, what are your top 3 most important design elements?

Daylight and a connection to the outdoors are a key focus for me in kitchen design. I think the circulation and placement of appliances are important but different for each client depending on how they cook or simply entertain. The kitchen is typically the first room you use in the morning and needs to be a welcoming space where you start your day.

What is your favorite part of the design process?

I love the initial meetings with my clients when they are excited about their big ideas. I always ask them to imagine what it would be like if the budget were not in the equation. That’s when we get the real wants identified and can design around those ideas vs. what they think their budget might allow.