Going Beyond the Project

with Eliza McNabb, Design Director

“I was drawn to interior design because it sits at the intersection of creativity and functionality.”

Eliza McNabb took a winding road to the industry of interior design. After going to school and pursuing a degree in History and Global Health at Northwestern, Eliza joined Teach for America as a teacher. While she loved the job, education didn’t feel like her perfect fit. She went back to school for a MFA in Interior Architecture and Design at The Corcoran, and hasn’t looked back since!

H&Co: What was the “aha” moment when you knew design would be it for you?
EM: I have always loved art, design, and visual mediums, but was ultimately drawn to interior design because it sits at the intersection of creativity and functionality. I find the process of combining pragmatic needs with the aesthetic to be deeply engaging and endlessly challenging.

H&Co: Where does your creative process typically start?
EM: The creative process feels like simmering a soup - throwing layouts, visual references, and the client’s dreams and desires all into the pot at the beginning of the project allows for each project to have its own flavor and clearly defines the needs, shared set of objectives, and visual language for the project.

H&Co: What has been your favorite design project at Hyphen?
EM: It’s so hard to choose a favorite! I feel so lucky to work on residential and commercial projects as a member of the Hyphen team, and particularly love when we get to work with clients over the course of multiple projects. For instance, we’ve worked with the WTHN team on 3 locations now, which has allowed us to refine both what they need operationally in each space and what is aesthetically consistent versus location specific in each studio. It’s truly an honor to be a part of our client’s growth and evolution!

H&Co: What is your current design obsession?
EM: Chandigarh, India! I recently listened to a great podcast about the development of the city by Corbusier alongside local Indian architects, specifically the genesis of the Pierre Jeanneret chairs (that have become incredibly ubiquitous). It was fascinating to learn that they were simple designs, made from local materials by local craftsmen, meant to be utilitarian seating for everyday folks that, when they would ultimately fail, be used as firewood for those who needed it.

H&Co: What is something super simple you just learned?
EM: Gorilla glue can fix anything! I just repaired a sculpture and a mug - it’s miracle stuff!