“What truly feels like home are the travel items I’ve collected—photographs and pieces from trips.”
Zaylan: Thanks for joining us today, Maui. We’re going to go through a series of questions to get to know you a little better, like we’ve been doing with the rest of the Ellis Adams Group team. Let’s start with a few warm-up questions. Where are you based, and what do you love about where you live?
Maui: I’m based in Austin, Texas*. I really love the energy of the city—Lady Bird Lake in particular. I love the connection to nature, and since I live downtown, I try to walk around the lake as often as I can.
Zaylan: And what’s your favorite food and drink?
Maui: I love Asian food—Pad Thai or sushi are usually my go-to. I also really enjoy seafood, especially octopus. If octopus is on the menu, I’ll probably order it. As far as drinks go, I love Diet Coke, so I almost always go for that. We don’t drink alcohol in our house, but every now, at a work event, I’ll have a margarita. That’s pretty rare.
Zaylan: Your favorite hotel you’ve stayed at—and your favorite destination?
Maui: The Thompson in Zihuatanejo is probably my favorite hotel. It’s a small property—about 50 keys—and what makes it special isn’t just the rooms. It’s the hospitality. The beach, the people, the food—it’s the way they make you feel when you’re there.
As for destinations, I love going to the beach whenever we get the chance. But I also enjoy exploring cities—architecture in particular.
Zaylan: Which city has the best architecture you’ve seen?
Maui: New York City. I love the high-rises and the history. The detailing in some of historic buildings is so impressive—we don’t build like that anymore. Seeing a historic building next to new construction and noticing that juxtaposition is really powerful.
Zaylan: What’s your dream destination that you haven’t been to yet?
Maui: London. I don’t have a specific hotel in mind—I just want to explore the city. It’s one of those places you see in movies and hear so much about. I’d love to walk around and take it all in.
Zaylan: Favorite book?
Maui: I usually have multiple books going at once—self-help, Christian books, and fiction. One of my favorites is All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. It’s set during World War II, and the main character is blind. Reading about that period of history through that perspective of a blind character was fascinating.
Zaylan: Beyond your professional work, what passions influence your design?
Maui: Exploration. I love walking around the city and noticing art, architecture, and design details. I take photos constantly—there’s always something new to see, especially here in Austin. I also love working out in the mornings—that’s how I start my day. Anything that connects activity and architecture inspires me.
Zaylan: When you think of home, what comes to mind?
Maui: I’ve moved a lot over the years. If I had to say “home,” I’d probably say El Paso, Texas—that’s where we immigrated to from Mexico and where my parents live. But I’m always ready to move again and experience another city.
What truly feels like home are the travel items I’ve collected—photographs and pieces from trips. Wherever we move, those come with us. As soon as they’re on the wall, that’s home. Each one has a story.
* Since the interview was conducted and by the time it was published, Maui had moved to Dallas, where she is now exploring the city and walking the Katy Trail as often as possible.
From Cashier to Hospitality Designer
Zaylan: You’ve had an amazing journey—from Texas A&M and the Art Institute of Colorado to now helping lead hospitality design at Ellis Adams Group. When you look back, what moments or mentors influenced your path?
Maui: When I first moved to Colorado to finish my interior design degree, I worked at Hobby Lobby as a cashier. There was a designer who came in every Saturday and purchased a lot of accessories. She always came through my line.
One day I asked her, “Is it too early to ask for an internship?” And she said, “Absolutely not. Send me your résumé.” So I did.
That was about six months into my degree. Her name is Kimberly Timmons, and she really took me under her wing and taught me everything about hospitality design. She was a huge mentor for me.
Zaylan: It’s amazing how one small moment can shift everything.
Maui: Absolutely. One minute I’m working as a cashier at Hobby Lobby, and the next moment I’m designing country clubs in Arizona.
“I grew up visiting my grandparents in Mexico, and people thought their house was a hotel.”
Zaylan: And what was the company called that you were with?
Maui: The designer is Kimberly Timmons, and the company is Kimberly Timmons Interiors. They’re still in Denver.
Zaylan: You’ve also led teams at firms like WORTHGROUP and JNS Architecture + Design. And now you’ve joined Ellis Adams Group—what made this the right move?
Maui: When I moved back to Texas and started seeing all the changes happening in Austin, I wanted to be part of it. I’d been working remotely for almost six years, and being here in the city, seeing the growth, I wanted to be involved.
I started asking around—who’s working on this project, what’s the next hotel, who’s involved? Through some connections, I heard about Ellis Adams Group. Six months later, the opportunity fell into place. Now I’m working on a project in Texas, and it feels like everything came together.
Gaby: Your Mexican roots are a big influence on your work. Can you share a memory that continues to show up in your designs?
Maui: There are two parts: hospitality and vibrancy.
I grew up visiting my grandparents in Mexico, and people often mistook it for a nearby hotel because of how busy it was. Strangers would walk through the courtyard—people constantly coming and going—and everyone felt welcome.
My grandmother had a hamburger stand that she opened every night for 30 years. She was deeply committed to providing hospitality to anyone who stayed at her house or stopped by for a burger.
That stayed with me. I always want to create environments where people feel welcome—where they feel like they belong.
And then there’s vibrancy. I love color, I love patterns, and I’m not afraid to add vibrancy to a space. That often shows up in my projects.
Designing with Intention
“It’s very important for every project to write the story or concept and create a design deck that really captures the soul of the space.”
Gaby: When you begin a hospitality project, what feelings are you trying to evoke?
Maui: It depends on whether it’s a hotel or restaurant.
For a hotel, I envision myself walking into the property. What’s the first feeling? When I step into the vestibule or check in at the front desk—what do I see? Can I sit down comfortably? Do I feel welcome?
Then I think about the guest room. Where are the light switches? Can I hang a long dress? Can I store my clothing properly? I’m thinking through the space as if I were staying there myself—what details would make my stay more comfortable?
If it’s the fitness center, I think about what someone who works in a daily basis would want. What does the flooring feel like? What’s the lighting like?
For a restaurant, it’s collaborative. What’s being served? How does it operate? What does it feel like when you walk in? Does the chair make you want to linger—or leave?
Most of the time, it comes down to making sure the guest feels welcome.
Zaylan: And how do you keep that emotional heart alive during technical phases?
Maui: That’s when the design story becomes critical. When you’re deep into construction documents or in the value engineering phase, you have to go back to that story and remind yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing. That story becomes the foundation throughout all phases.
Zaylan: Can you share a project where teamwork changed the outcome?
Maui: A couple of years ago, I worked on two hotels at the same time—same ownership, same schedule—but completely opposite designs.
It was busy, but the collaboration between the design team, the general contractor, ownership, and operations teams made both projects successful. Along the way, I learned so much about renovations, operations, and the client’s needs.
Communication was key. Being able to pick up the phone, ask questions, and even put “crazy” ideas out there made a huge difference.
“I would love for them to feel that welcoming experience as they walk into the space—that a lot of time and effort went into the design.”
Zaylan: What’s your relationship with trends?
Maui: I have a love–hate relationship with integrated power outlets in furniture. Technology changes so quickly—we don’t know what power cords will look like in two years.
If one of those integrated outlets stops working, the operations team has to replace it. Sometimes a standard outlet is the better option. Functionality is always in the back of my mind—how operations will maintain it, what the guest experience will be like, and whether it will last for eight years.
Gaby: And when someone walks into a space you’ve designed years from now?
Maui: I hope they feel welcomed. I hope they sense that a lot of thought went into every furniture piece and material selection—from the entire team.
And I hope the furniture pieces are still standing. If they are, then we did a good job.
“If there is a historic property that could be brought to life as a boutique hotel, that would be a dream project for me.”
Zaylan: Four months in at Ellis Adams Group—what’s been the biggest surprise?
Maui: The fact that most of us are remote and leadership fully embraces that. They find ways to stay connected and celebrate each person’s uniqueness. It’s been great to just be myself.
Zaylan: What excites you about what’s ahead?
Maui: I’m excited about Ellis Adams EMEA and the opportunities there. I would love to design something in London. Maybe even bring Mexican hospitality to a European city—that would be a dream project.
Zaylan: And if you could design anything with unlimited resources?
Maui: A historic property turned boutique hotel. Embracing historic architecture while blending it with modern finishes fascinates me.
Zaylan: Final question—what advice would you give a young designer?
Maui: Ask for internships. Don’t be afraid. Explore different types of design. Learn from mentors.
And most importantly—embrace the gift of creativity and continue to knock on doors. You’ll be surprised how many can open.
