Laura Quinlan Messersmith is an interior designer specializing in enduring spaces that weave together refined ease with personal charm. She believes the history of places, the stories of objects, and the rooms we inhabit touch our lives.
Influences
Her aesthetic sensibility and affinity for the natural world are deeply rooted in her upbringing. Raised in a small town in Upstate New York she was influenced at an early age by her mother’s perennial interest in homes and décor, and her maternal grandmother’s artistic pursuits which ranged from painting to ceramics. A collector and editor; she remembers summer visits to local barn sales and the hunt for just the right word to describe a shade of green (her favorite color).
Laura launched Quinlan Interiors after earning an M.F.A. with High Honors from the New York School of Interior Design and a season working under the guidance of Kevin Dumais of Dumais Interiors.
She spent the early part of her career in hospitality and philanthropic fundraising bringing a deep conviction that trust and shared values are essential to the success of any collaboration. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication from Cornell University.
Values
Laura’s focus is on creating residential and boutique hospitality projects grounded in a sense of place, that are at once serene, whimsical, and inviting. She is skilled at mixing vintage and modern furniture with custom designs, and has an eye for the unexpected.
With an eye to the future and a focus on sustainability decisions are guided by what selections will endure - as a result, natural materials, quality, craftsmanship, and pieces with history are the foundation of all projects.
Laura is confident in all aspects of a project from concept and design through construction and project management. Her collaborative, thoughtful, and meticulous approach resonates with clients and contractors.
With years of professional experience in the field, Laura has worked on new build, renovations, and decoration projects in New York City, the Hudson Valley, Catskill Mountains, The Hamptons, Aspen, and Los Angeles.
