Designer Spotlight: Brianna Hughes Interiors

It only takes a few seconds of scrolling through the Brianna Hughes Interiors Instagram page to recognize the remarkable talent.

This Edmonton, Canada based designer uses both classic and modern elements to create mood evoking spaces that reflect the homeowners personality and are designed to stand the test of time.

Brianna has been featured in publications such as West Living Magazine, Domino, EDify magazine, and her bold and eclectic personal home was featured on HGTV. She holds a Master’s degree in photography and recently released her signature candle fragrance from BHI named “The Fitz” after her son Fitzgerald.

I had the pleasure of working with Brianna when she commissioned her first Lauren Williams Art piece as co-founder of the award winning design firm Ministry of Interiors. Since then, her design career has evolved into working under her own name as Principal Designer at Brianna Hughes Interiors.

Get to know more about the designer, her most favorite design projects, read about how she transitioned into the design space from the world of photography, her goals for the future and her top five home accessories she can’t complete a design project without!

Brianna Hughes, Brianna Hughes Interiors // Photo: Sharon Litchfield // Textile Art: Lauren Williams

Design: “Rio Terrace”, Brianna Hughes Interiors // Photo: Sharon Litchfield

You are absolutely crushing it as a designer but also as an entrepreneur. You have an award winning firm, you’ve been highlighted in multiple design and living publications, and were recently featured on HGTV. What would you say are your biggest accomplishments, both as an artist and business owner?

We hear this too often but it is absolutely true and bares repeating. DO NOT GIVE UP.

My previous business partner and I spent 5 years together building the brand and getting our names out there. We were successful and started to get some amazing recognition and projects. When we made the decision to separate and start our own firms it was scary. I was a single mother basically starting over and not sure if I could do it on my own. My style is specific and isn’t for everyone. There were times that I had to turn down projects because they just didn’t align with my design philosophy. I really tried to set a good example for my son by showing that even when you are scared, you need to believe in yourself, keep going and put in the hard work and you WILL see results. A year later and we have an amazing team and some stunning projects to show for it!

Before entering the design space, you spent an impressive 15 years in the world of photography and digital media and hold a Masters Degree in photography. You’ve acknowledged that you have always been an “artist at heart”. How did you transition from photography to interior design?

I actually met my ex business partner on a photoshoot for her kids and we connected over design and figured we'd give it a try. From there I started doing less photography work as we got more clients. Under Ministry of Interiors I photographed all our spaces but with BHI I love hiring local talent to help me execute my vision. It also allows me more focus on styling and you know we can't do it all!

Design: “Rio Terrace”, Brianna Hughes, Brianna Hughes Interiors // Photo: Sharon Litchfield // Textile Art: Lauren Williams

You’ve traveled the world and specifically spent time studying in both Paris and New York. How did your experience in these locations impact your savvy implementation of color, texture, and art?

The French are well known for their sophisticated yet understated style. I love how they appreciate and incorporate the historical architecture instead of always covering it up. Often the colour choices and materials are simple and classic but are complemented by beautiful rich fabrics and textures. My love of drapery and upholstery is definitely influenced by my time in Paris!

New York is cutting edge. Everything moves fast and every inch counts! My time in New York made me look at spaces differently in how to maintain the style while also ensuring every corner is functional. Often spaces will need to be multi purpose and I think this has helped me when designing family projects that need to be stylish but also able to be utilized every day and be “kid friendly”

“I absolutely love all the pieces from Lauren’s Sculptural Fibres collaboration.
It would be a dream to put one in a home I’ve designed.”

— BRIANNA HUGHES

Let's talk about the Rio Terrace project. You describe your design style as a mixture of cutting edge and comfort. We can definitely see those attributes in this project. What were your inspirations and goals for the overall design? What challenges did this project present? How much were the clients involved?

Rio Terrace is one of my absolute favourite projects that I have ever worked on.

This was an infill that had already had some key design decisions made prior to our firm being brought onboard so there were elements that we couldn’t change and needed to be incorporated into our vision. The clients of this home are not afraid of colour, texture and bold choices (DREAM CLIENT!) and although they have been very involved in the process they pretty much gave us carte blanche to bring our vision to life.

They are the parents of adorable 4 year old twins and it was important to incorporate their needs into the design to ensure that the choices we made were not only stylish but that there was also function and durability. The twin's bedrooms are one of the most asked about when we get inquiries.

“LOCATED AT THE INTERSECTION OF CUTTING EDGE AND COMFORT, YOU WILL FIND BRIANNA HUGHES INTERIORS.”

— www.briannahughesinteriors.com

The Brianna Hughes Interiors website and Instagram page showcases a stunning display of current and past design projects while also incorporating your own personally photographed images. Would you say you design for a more photogenic space due to your experience behind the camera? Or do your designs come together without the consideration of a photograph?

I would say that my history as a photographer absolutely plays a role in how I design a space. During the design process I visualize the space as though it is a photograph in my mind. I think this ability is very helpful in the creative process.

Tell us five home accessories you can’t complete a project without right now?

I can't live without coffee table books. I also love a good vessel with florals, and decorative objects like my vintage French door knobs. A statement textile (rug, blanket or throw pillows) in a bold print or colour is always necessary and no home is complete without a candle. Scent is just as important in the style of a space as the objects you see.

“Live Beautiful”, Amazon // Design: “Rio Terrace”, Brianna Hughes Interiors // Photo: Sharon Litchfield

“Pilar Handcrafted Glass Vase”, Pottery Barn // Design: “Rio Terrace”, Brianna Hughes Interiors // Photo: Sharon Litchfield

“Vintage Door Knobs”, Etsy // Design: “Rio Terrace”, Brianna Hughes Interiors // Photo: Sharon Litchfield

“Amber Glass Vase”, World Market // Design: “Rio Terrace”, Brianna Hughes Interiors // Photo: Sharon Litchfield

“The Fitz” candle, Brianna Hughes Interiors // Design: “Rio Terrace”, Brianna Hughes Interiors // Photo: Sharon Litchfield

What has been one of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your design career?

Many of the projects we do at BHI incorporate custom made pieces and the lead times have significantly increased due to the supply chain and shipping issues that resulted from the Covid pandemic.

We’ve had pieces that have taken a year or more to finally arrive from Europe and it can be challenging to have to wait so long for the project to be fully completed and the final vision brought to life, especially if it’s a statement piece like a bed or a sofa. There are always many details and moving parts that come with managing multiple projects and I am lucky to have a great team that excels at staying on top of the admin side of the business so I can focus on the creative.

How do you unwind?

I prioritize getting exercise every day and taking time to unplug from my phone & emails to spend time with my 9 year old son, Fitzgerald. We enjoy hanging out and playing card games and ski trips to the Canadian Rockies.

What is the next big thing for Brianna Hughes Interiors?

We’ve just wrapped up some exciting projects and the team is finalizing getting them shot and submitted to publications. The ultimate dream is to be featured in Architectural Digest! We launched a candle for Holiday 2022 and are working on another scent for Spring 2023 and recently we’ve started to branch out into custom furniture so we have lots of irons in the fire right now. I’m blessed to get to wake up every day and do something that I love.

Lauren Williams expands beyond her original Canvas with Movement® textile art and also includes the sculptural fibres collaboration with Thomas Hayes, paintings, and a rug collaboration with Art+Loom. If you could choose one piece from each medium, which would you incorporate into a single project that reflects the Brianna Hughes aesthetic?

I absolutely love all the pieces from Lauren's sculptural fibers collaboration. It would be a dream to put one in a project. The colours in Lauren's "Blackout" painting really speak to my aesthetic; I love the depth to it as well. The soft shape of Lauren's "Pill" Rug is so lovely, but I am torn because I'm in love with the colours of the "Hendrix" and "Driftwood" Rugs. Its amazing how multi talented she is, it's truly inspirational.