"I love blending the comfort of residential design with the creativity and storytelling of hospitality spaces."
Zaylan: Hi Ally! Today we're going to go through a series of questions about you, your time at EAG, your approach and philosophy in design, the clients and projects you've worked on, what you're excited about — all kinds of stuff.
Gaby: We're going to start with background and inspiration. First where is home for you?
Ally: In the literal sense, home for me is Washington, DC — that's where I grew up for many years. It's where I come back to, and it always feels like home. But in general, home is just wherever my friends and family are. We moved around a lot when I went to college, so that's changed. We were all around Maryland, Virginia, and I was even in Charlotte for one summer, but anywhere with good friends, my siblings, my parents, is home for me.
Gaby: Could you share a bit about your journey before you joined EAG?
Ally: Growing up, I was always the creative type. I was drawn toward activities like dance and gymnastics for sports, and I loved taking painting and drawing classes. I even took ceramics in high school — I always loved getting my hands dirty and creating things.
That passion led me to study interior design in college. I went to Virginia Tech and loved their interior design program. I learned so much there and fell in love with hospitality design because of the flexibility it offers. I loved interacting with people and envisioning the design through the lens of a hotel guest. Plus, I liked that hospitality design has a bit of a residential feel, which made it even more appealing to the style of design I'm drawn to.
Before EAG, I worked in DC at an architecture firm specializing in hospitality, but they focused more on prototypical & select service hotel brands. As I ventured into the next chapter of my career, I wanted to push myself and find a new level of hospitality design — and that's how I came across EAG. Now, I'm exploring more luxury and boutique hospitality design, and I'm really loving that level of creativity.
Gaby: So, when did you become intrigued with hospitality design in particular?
Ally: I think it really started during my studies at Virginia Tech. A lot of the projects we were assigned were workplace designs or municipal spaces like homeless shelters, which were meaningful and fun. But my favorite part of those projects was researching the city and finding its character and personality.
I found it hard, though, to translate that into a workplace or municipal design. When it came time for thesis development, where we could pick our own projects, I realized that hospitality was the best way to showcase a city's personality. Hospitality projects offer a lot more flexibility and playfulness, while still maintaining brand standards, which I liked - that balance between creative freedom and structure.
Toward my senior year, when I had more freedom to select my own projects, I naturally gravitated toward hospitality design. I also enjoyed looking at ArchDaily for inspiration — it's a magazine website that highlights hotel projects and conceptual designs from around the world. Virginia Tech encouraged us to study how architects & designers go from concept to design, and ArchDaily really helped deepen my understanding of that process.
Gaby: When you look back on your early influences, is there a particular place, designer, or moment that inspired you the most and still resonates with you today?
Ally: Honestly, my earliest influence was HGTV. When I was little, my mom loved it and always had it playing in the background. There wasn't one specific designer, but just the network in general and its focus on residential spaces really inspired me to pursue interior design.
As I got older and became more aware of individual designers, I really connected with Kelly Wearstler and Lindy Galloway. Kelly Wearstler works in both residential and commercial spaces. She has a very playful, creative approach but still maintains a modern touch — something I always try to balance. I do think my creativity can run wild, but you always have to think practically.
Lindy Galloway is also incredibly inspiring. She's a residential designer who built her brand from the ground up. I love the look of residential design and enjoy referencing that style in hospitality projects so that when guests visit a hotel, it still feels homey and comfortable — not just like a sterile hotel environment.
"At EAG, the design process never really stops — there's always room to improve and perfect every detail."
Zaylan: We're going to jump into a few questions now about your first impressions and the EAG culture. You joined recently, right?
Ally: Yeah, May 28th was my first day.
Zaylan: What stood out to you most about the company culture since joining?
Ally: I really love the all-hands-on-deck, collaborative approach within EAG. Everyone's involved in every project, which helps a lot when we need to meet tight deadlines or handle a fire drill. Everyone's aware of what's going on and is ready to help. It creates a strong, solid team and a close-knit group that's always willing to lend a hand.
I also love that we're able to bounce ideas off each other. That's one thing that drew me to apply to EAG in the first place — the designs are just beautiful. And now, being immersed in the company culture, I see why. Everyone has a part in the design, and the collaboration really shines through.
Zaylan: And did you find EAG through a job post?
Ally: Yes! I was looking for a job at the beginning of 2024 when I got a LinkedIn notification that they were hiring. I did some research and decided to apply because their online portfolio and background matched what I was looking for.
Zaylan: Awesome. So, from your initial experiences and your background in hospitality design, what do you think makes EAG's approach unique?
Ally: That's a good question. I like how EAG's design process is always in the works. At other firms, and even the way I was taught, you follow set steps and then the design stops — from there, it's just about developing it to be constructed. But at EAG, there's always room for improvement. There's always the ability to tweak and perfect things, even during the construction phase. I love that mindset because the design will be in use for many years. It's important to get it just right.
Zaylan: Is there a particular value or practice at EAG that inspires you day-to-day?
Ally: Yes! Especially in today’s very digital world, where design is mostly computer-based. My education at Virginia Tech was pretty much all on the computer. But here at EAG, my senior manager Christy often resorts to hand-drawing and sketching during preliminary design phases. It's really inspiring!
It’s not only fun and cool to see, but it's a great way to quickly sketch out designs and envision ideas you can't always capture online. It's definitely something I've been working to incorporate more into my process, especially since I love doodling as a side hobby. I've even been watching YouTube videos on the side to perfect my craft!
Zaylan: So, in your short time here, have you come across any new philosophies or principles that have reshaped how you think about design?
Ally: I think one thing that's become more prominent for me is the importance of ADA — the Americans with Disabilities Act. I've worked with architecture consultants before who didn't always catch ADA clearances, but my design leads always notices them in the smallest details, and it's made me much more aware.
Universal design is extremely important. It's not a new principle to me, but it's definitely more at the forefront now. Whenever I'm designing custom furniture or laying out floor plans, I’m always thinking about ADA clearances. It's become a regular part of my design process.
Gaby: Just for my knowledge, what does ADA stand for?
Ally: It stands for the Americans with Disabilities Act. It’s basically a universal set of codes and regulations that ensure designs meet the needs of everyone, including people with disabilities.
Gaby: Alright, got it. Now let's dive into design philosophy and approach. How would you describe your personal design philosophy?
Ally: I like to approach design with a holistic mindset. Like I said at the beginning of the interview, I like to really look at where the design is located — the culture and characteristics of that city — and incorporate as much of that as possible into the design.
I want the design to seamlessly blend with its surroundings but also have a unique aspect that makes it stand out from other adjacent hotels. I create a story based on the city's characteristics, and as I'm designing, I always come back to that story. That mindset, always coming back to your story, is something that EAG has imprinted on me as well. No matter what challenges arise — whether it's changes or VE (value engineering) efforts to meet budget — sticking to the original narrative creates a well-rounded, holistic design that emphasizes the city's identity.
Gaby: Just a follow-up: how do you do your research to understand a city's culture?
Ally: It's a blend. Sometimes we get on a call with the client and ask about their experiences with the hotel or surroundings. We gather knowledge about the guests — why they visit, what draws them to the city. Site visits are important too. Exploring the city yourself, while also going online to research the best spots, history, art, and culture — all of that helps build a strong story for the design.
"Every project starts with a story — blending the spirit of the city, the client's vision, and the guest experience into something unforgettable."
Gaby: When starting on a new hospitality project, what are the first things you focus on?
Ally: The first thing I focus on is the balance between the scope & the story. The wants and desires of the client are super important, so it's about blending the story with what's required within the hotel and what the client wants to renovate and build. I also focus on the people — the demographic. Each brand and each level of hotel caters to different groups, so keeping that in the forefront of your mind when approaching design is really important.
Gaby: And how do you balance functionality with aesthetics in your designs?
Ally: I think that goes back to being well-versed in code. As a new designer, I'm always learning and adjusting to those codes. I usually start conceptually, sketching ideas or finding inspiration for what I want the design to look like. Then I layer in the various codes and requirements — not only national codes but brand standards as well. If something doesn't work, I tweak the design to meet those standards. Having that story to come back to keeps the design aligned with the original intent while maintaining functionality.
Zaylan: You touched on a lot of storytelling pieces already, so this next question is perfect. Storytelling is central to EAG's ethos. Could you walk us through how you approach storytelling in your designs and provide some examples?
Ally: Sure! First, as a group, we get together after the initial kickoff call. We all do our own research, then meet to talk about what we found, what stood out, and how we can emphasize design through that story.
For example, I’m working on a project in Tucson, Arizona. One of the big standouts there is the landscape and scenery. We wanted to bring that into the hotel, so guests feel immersed in the outside environment. We also looked at the guest demographics — a lot of out-of-town convention guests, families visiting the university, and people on golf trips. Highlighting Tucson’s beautiful, unique landscape — something you don't see anywhere else in the country — was really important.
After collaborating and deciding that was the best direction, we told that story through textures, finishes, furniture selections, and even lighting — not just the fixtures themselves but how bright or ambient the lighting feels to emulate the natural Arizona landscape.
Gaby: You spoke about so many senses. Does the sense of smell play into the design too? Do brands have their own scents?
Ally: I’ve worked on projects where we were asked to incorporate scents. There was one brand that had seven different signature scents. But it’s not super common because scent usually falls under the brand's direction, not the design team's. Some hotels have a specific scent they use, but typically that's decided separately in my experience.
Gaby: As software developers, we either build things from scratch or use existing components. Is it typical in design that you develop items like furniture from scratch?
Ally: Yes, definitely. We do both. For new builds and renovations, sometimes we work with existing elements, but often we create furnishings from scratch. In renovations, part of the challenge is blending the new design with elements that are staying — making it all seamless.
Zaylan: Is there a dream project you would love to design one day? What story would you want to tell?
Ally: That's a great question. I'm really drawn to resorts and vacation destinations. I’d love to design a resort villa in a tropical setting. The story I would want to tell is one of comfort and relaxation but also preserving the natural environment.
I was inspired recently by a project where they built villas around existing coconut trees, rather than cutting them down. That concept of respecting and celebrating the existing landscape really resonated with me. I’d want my resort design to emphasize the beauty of the environment without destroying it.
Gaby: A few client and team-related questions — what has been your favorite project you've worked on so far in your entire career?
Ally: I think my favorite was a hotel renovation in Indiana. It was one of my first projects out of school where I got to see from start to near completion, and I had so many collaborative opportunities — lots of site visits, in-person client meetings, and hands on presentations. I got great guidance from the lead designer on the project and learned a ton about the real-life design process. It really laid the foundation for how I approach projects now.
Gaby: Could you tell us a little about the team you worked with?
Ally: Sure! It was me, a lead designer, and an internal architect. Then externally, we had three people on the ownership team and two or three brand representatives. There was a lot of collaboration — with the architect on code compliance, with the senior designer for creative direction, and with both ownership and brand teams to make sure we were hitting all the targets. It was a very communicative and enthusiastic team, which made the project really fun.
Gaby: And is it typical to have an architect on a renovation project team?
Ally: In my experience, yes, but it depends on the scope. If it's just a soft goods renovation — like furniture or materials — you might not need an architect. But for large-scale renovations, you typically do. This Indiana project was with a firm that had an internal architect and needed plumbing and bathroom restructuring within the hotel. Here at EAG, we often collaborate with outside consulting architects as needed.
"Hospitality design needs to focus more on timeless, sustainable spaces — not just changing for the sake of change."
Zaylan: We're going to wrap up with some vision-for-the-future questions, and then I'll ask a few rapid-fire personal questions for fun. First one: what excites you most about being part of the Ellis Adams Group team as you look forward toward the future?
Ally: That's a great question. I think Ellis Adams is still fairly new in the industry — I believe they were established in 2013. What excites me is seeing how much they've already grown in a relatively short time, and I see huge potential for rapid growth moving forward. Even since I joined in May of 2024, we've been hiring new people and getting a ton of new projects. It's really exciting because I'm still growing in my own career, as well as now growing alongside a firm that's rapidly expanding. It opens so many opportunities. It's definitely fun to be part of a company that's still building its foundation and to grow with it.
Zaylan: And while you're at EAG, are there specific design goals or innovations you're hoping to contribute to the hospitality sector?
Ally: Definitely. I think the hospitality industry needs to focus more on sustainability. Hotels typically follow a cyclical improvement plan, renovating every five to seven years. I would love to bring a focus on long-lasting design into those renovations — so that when improvement plans happen, we're not changing everything unnecessarily and wasting materials that don't need to be replaced. I’d like to emphasize sustainable, durable, and timeless design from both an aesthetic and functional perspective.
Zaylan: That's great. And what impact do you hope your designs at EAG will have on guests?
Ally: I would love for guests to leave a space feeling in awe and wanting to come back. I want my designs to make their stay completely stress-free — they shouldn't have to think about anything — but also leave them impacted by the uniqueness of the experience. Ideally, they’ll talk about it, take photos, recommend it to friends, and want to return again and again.
Zaylan: And last question before we jump into the fun ones: if someone reading this is a younger designer, maybe a freshman in college, and they dream of getting into hospitality design someday, what advice would you give them?
Ally: I would say: push the boundaries and be confident in your decisions. Don't be afraid to make mistakes and definitely don't be afraid to take criticism — take it constructively and grow from it. Keep building your portfolio with that mindset. As long as you approach design confidently and with a holistic, well-rounded view, there's really nothing that can stop you from going far in the industry.
Zaylan: Thank you for that. Now, some fun rapid-fire questions! What's your favorite hotel you've ever stayed at?
Ally: I think my favorite hotel was the Sandals Resort in Turks and Caicos. I went when I was younger, and it had a Sesame Street theme, which was really fun. Plus, the villas were beautifully designed.
Zaylan: Favorite travel destination you've been to?
Ally: Switzerland. Just gorgeous views, the people were so nice, and the food was delicious.
Zaylan: And your dream destination? What's at the top of your bucket list?
Ally: Right now, it's South Africa. I really want to go on a true safari and immerse myself with the animals. That's definitely my top place right now.
Zaylan: Good one! Favorite food?
Ally: That's hard — I'm a big foodie with a big appetite! I'd say my favorite type of food is Mexican. I love tacos, quesadillas, guacamole — all of it.
Zaylan: Favorite drink?
Ally: If we're talking regular drinks, my guilty pleasure is Diet Coke. I love soda! But for alcoholic drinks, I love a margarita — especially with a Tajín rim instead of salt.
Zaylan: Love that. Favorite way to spend a free Saturday?
Ally: Definitely being outside — taking a long walk or going for a run. I also love hanging out with friends, chilling at the beach, watching movies, or doing something creative like a painting class. Very chill, relaxed vibes.
Zaylan: Awesome. Any last departing thoughts, Ally? I feel like we've covered a lot of ground.
Ally: No, I'm just really excited for the future — and I'm glad I got to spend some time with you today!
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