Interior Designer, Laura Johnson, on Meaningful Custom Design
At TreHus, we value the people who bring our work to life. This employee spotlight features Laura Johnson, an ASID Interior Designer at TreHus, who collaborates with homeowners to design thoughtful, functional spaces through residential remodeling.
Early Interest in Design
Laura joined the TreHus team nearly three years ago and has been interested in homes for as long as she can remember. “My dad and I used to go and tour new homes when I was a child, and I would rearrange my bedroom on a monthly basis growing up. I was always trying to find new ways to do things,” Laura recalls. It wasn’t until her junior year of high school that she was introduced to interior design through a design class, where that interest found its direction.
Finding a Home At TreHus
Laura’s appreciation for design and history eventually led her to TreHus, a company she found valued both architecture and the preservation of craftsmanship. TreHus’ culture of collaboration has been a huge gift to Laura’s work. “We have a really positive office atmosphere, and when I need feedback and insight on a design, I can always bring in a fellow designer to help work through a challenge,” says Laura. When asked about her favorite part of her job, Laura shared that the work can be deeply meaningful and personal. “Working with clients to solve issues in their homes and to see the joy that comes during the design process and when they see their finished space for the first time is unparalleled.”
Designing the Maple Grove Mosaic Bath
One of Laura’s recent projects, the Maple Grove Mosaic Bath, stands out as an especially exciting collaboration between Laura and the homeowner. This stunning primary suite remodel features a soothing, muted color palette and bold finishes for homeowners who want timeless functionality in their space without losing the fun of great design. “We knew that pattern would play a big role in the design, but did not want it to feel overwhelming for the space,” says Laura. She explains that they decided on “incorporating geometric shapes throughout the space, like the hexagonal floor tiling and blue kite-shaped tile backsplash above the double vanity.” A defining feature of the suite is the slat tile in the shower alcove. “Being a steam shower, we wanted to accentuate this area and create a spa-like experience,” explains Laura.
Meaningful Custom Design
To make the Maple Grove Mosaic Bath feel intentionally customized for the homeowners, Laura asked what wasn’t working in the old space. “Storage was a big issue,” she says, “so we focused on ways to maximize storage to their needs in their new space.” Both sides of the vanity include laundry hampers, with the center cabinets including a custom-built hidden hot tool pull-out, a folding mirror, and a make-up drawer. Laura enjoys balancing practical design solutions with moments of personality, so when the homeowners asked her about incorporating gold animal-themed wall hooks in the space, her answer was an immediate “yes!”
Advice for Aspiring Designers
When asked for advice to aspiring designers, Laura emphasized a ‘just go for it’ attitude. “Being a Residential Interior Designer, especially focused on remodeling, can be a very challenging profession, but it is deeply rewarding. If you are creative and have a passion for design and helping people then, it is the perfect career. Even within residential, there are tons of different areas you can specialize in, so my advice is to learn, talk to others in the industry, and try out different paths. The right niche is out there for you, and it is worth the trial and error to find it!”
Life Outside of TreHus
When she’s not at TreHus, Laura can often be found with her nose in a book, usually after a long walk by the lake with her dog. Spending time outside and relaxing in nature is where Laura is happiest, except maybe at the County Fair. Laura and her 7-year-old niece are big fans of the piglets and love seeing them at the fair each year.