Designer of the Week: Madelynn Hudson

Madelynn Hudson, Founder and Creative Director of Madelynn Hudson Interiors, was on the hunt for the perfect rug for her New York-based interior design studio. Already filled with warmth and texture through the lighter furniture, Madelynn wanted something that felt grounded and architectural without visually overpowering the space. Her pick? Indy. See why she gravitated toward this sisal rug and explore the others that came close to making the cut.

Why do you love interior design?

I love interior design because it’s both deeply creative and highly technical. You’re shaping how someone lives on a daily basis, how they move through a space, how they feel in it, how it supports their routines. There’s something really powerful about creating environments that feel considered but also effortless to live in.
Describe your style in three words

Layered, grounded, sensual.

Where do you find inspiration?

I pull a lot from architecture and materiality, historic interiors, old homes, the way spaces were originally built and detailed. I’m less inspired by trends and more by how materials age, how light moves through a room, and how textures interact. Travel is also a big one, hotels especially always get the balance of restraint and experience right.

What is a design trend you’re currently loving, and how are you using it in your work? 

I’ve been really drawn to a return to warmth, richer woods, tonal layering, and spaces that feel a bit more enveloping. We’re using it through deeper palettes, more texture on texture moments, and letting materials carry the design rather than relying on contrast alone.

What is one design “rule” or trick of the trade you always swear by?

Lighting is everything. It’s the fastest way to elevate a space, and it’s often the most overlooked. I always think of lighting as the jewelry of a home. It should add contrast, softness, and a bit of intention.

"Indy has this really beautiful balance of softness and structure that made the entire office feel calmer."

Indy in Chocolate

Tell us about your project — what was the vision and how did Ernesta's custom-sized rug bring it to life?

I’d been looking for the right rug for quite a while. A lot of rugs either felt too flat and minimal or too decorative for the direction of the space. I wanted something timeless that still had character and depth up close. One thing that feels special about the office overall is that we approached it almost like a residential interior rather than a traditional workspace. We wanted clients to walk in and immediately feel the MHI point of view: layered, tactile, warm, and intentionally understated. The rug became a foundational piece in creating that atmosphere.

I ultimately chose Indy in Chocolate because it felt the most aligned with that desired atmosphere and I loved that it was more tonal to the existing concrete floor. The space has a lot of warmth and texture already through the lighter furniture, so I wanted something that felt grounded and architectural without visually overpowering the room. Indy has this really beautiful balance of softness and structure that made the entire office feel calmer and more resolved.

What was the installation process like?

The installation process was honestly incredibly easy and fast, which was especially important for us because we were pulling the office together while actively moving into the space and juggling client work at the same time. The custom sizing process also made everything feel much more seamless, since we didn’t have to compromise the layout around standard rug dimensions.

When you’re selecting or sizing a rug for a space, what factors do you always consider to get it just right?

Scale and placement are the starting point. The rug should relate to the furniture, not just sit underneath it. I’m also looking at tone and texture more than pattern. A rug should support the room, not overpower it. And finally, function, how the space is used, traffic patterns, and how the material will wear over time.

How do you balance beauty and functionality in your work?

For me, they’re not separate. A space doesn’t feel beautiful if it doesn’t function well. The goal is always to design something that looks elevated but feels intuitive, where everything has been thought through, even if it doesn’t immediately read that way.

What is your idea of great design?

Great design feels effortless, even though it never is. It’s when a space feels resolved, where proportion, material, and mood all align, and nothing feels forced or overworked.

What are you reading or watching right now?

I tend to gravitate toward anything visually driven, films with a strong point of view in terms of set design and atmosphere. I’m also always flipping through architecture and design books rather than traditional reading.

If you could design a home for one famous person / couple, who would it be?

Sofia Coppola, her work has such a distinct sense of mood and restraint. I think there’s a natural alignment in how we both approach space as something atmospheric and emotional.

Please share your top five rugs (colorway and style) from Ernesta’s selection.

What drew me to these selections was that they all feel very material-driven and timeless. I tend to gravitate toward rugs with subtle texture, natural tonal variation and quieter palettes that allow the architecture and furnishings around them to breathe. Each of these styles feels elevated in a very livable way:

Madelynn Hudson is the founder and Principal of Madelynn Hudson Interiors, a New York-based interior design studio known for creating layered, material-driven spaces that balance restraint with subtle drama. Her work is rooted in interior architecture, with a focus on thoughtful detailing, tonal palettes, and environments that feel both elevated and deeply livable.

More from Madelynn Hudson:
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