What inspires you in the design of a building or a room?
Much of my inspiration comes from the client and their unique sensibilities. If a client comes into our meeting wearing bold colors, we ascertain their taste is more robust while a more conservative aesthetic requires subtler work. I love studying restaurants and hotels; spaces that aren’t meant to be lived in allow for a boldness of design that I find fascinating.
How important is clear communication between the client and designer?Â
Trust is the key, and that trust comes from clean, clear communication. The most fruitful collaborations we have ever had were with clients who were open about what they wanted, and what they didn’t, and who weren’t afraid to follow our flights of fancy.
How did you get your start in design?
I was an art history major before I came to Tulane for my master’s in Latin American Art. I later decided to open a retail space that accentuated local New Orleans vendors, one of the first of its kind in the city. However, I was still being drawn to interior design. So, I shut down the store and began Hattie Sparks Interiors in 2019, which was an instant success, and I haven’t looked back since.Â
How does New Orleans affect your design sensibilities?
Nature always finds its way into our designs: the local florals and foliage are so unique and breathtaking. Then there’s the history of the city itself which we try to implement into our aesthetic using antiques and vintage pieces beside more modern items. That type of multi-generational collage represents what makes New Orleans special.
What is the benefit of a well-designed room?
It’s a place someone wants to spend time in. There’s a sentimental tie that comes from good design. A million factors come together to form that feeling of comfort; to make a room feel effortless like it was always this way and is precisely how it should always be. That’s what we are all striving to perfect.
hello@hattiesparks.com // hattiesparks.com // New Orleans
