My Way: Madelynn Hudson

Madelynn works with clients to bring their interior vision to life, from large-scale, newly built homes, kitchen and bathroom renovations, and smaller furnishings and decorating projects. “Something that I'm mulling over is how to help people design their own space so that they feel cozy, comfortable, and elevated,” she said. “A true reflection of themselves and how they want to live their lives. It's an area that people want to learn more about and interior design doesn't have to be this overwhelming and daunting thing. I want to make it feel more approachable to people.”

“Something that I'm mulling over is how to help people design their own space so that they feel cozy, comfortable, and elevated.”

Meanwhile, Madelynn’s style, both interiors and fashion, she claims, are becoming more similar as she’s drawn to a classic sensibility. “I love things that feel really traditional,” noted Madelynn. “Even in my former LA home, I had a lot of funky pieces, but the format and the floor plan were classic. With my fashion sense, I have simple, basic pieces that I wear over and over and over like a black slip dress, which you can style anyway. And that's the foundation of the way I dress and the way I design. I would say it’s classic elevated. I like pieces that feel expensive. I have expensive taste, but I don't have expensive budgets.”

And that elevated classic style is how she approaches fashion for her canine companion, Sybil, a beautiful great dane. The regal gentle giant is a reflection of her personal style.

Here, Madelynn shares her reasoning behind owning less, yet always quality pieces, Sybil’s affinity for silver, and why you have to take risks in order to find balance.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR GO-TO PIECES WITHIN YOUR WARDROBE AND HOW DOES IT ALIGN WITH YOUR INTERIOR STYLE?

I love a good pair of denim or black trousers and pairing them with a heel and top that has some interest to it. That’s my strategy in terms of dressing. I’ve recently gotten into maxi dresses, too. Sometimes, I can be a bit of a tomboy or give off more of a seventies vibe, but in general, there's always some sort of element of surprise. I love unique pieces.

When it comes to interior design, there's always this hand of an art deco element mixed with a seventies feel. It’s kind of like stylist Allison Bornstein’s wrong shoe theory. In design, there should be something that doesn't quite work. It challenges the overall vibe of the room in a really cool way. It adds interest that otherwise wouldn't be there. You have to take risks in order to find that balance.

WHAT'S WORTH THE SPLURGE?

Jewelry is definitely worth splurging on, similar to an accent piece in your home. You can get away with a classic basic bag like one from Loewe or splurge on a perfect pair of boots. But jewelry is really fun to splurge on and worth the investment.

I have a serious addiction to The RealReal. I’ll curate a whole new wardrobe and then buy nothing. But it's very fun to look at.

“I do a lot of online shopping. But I prefer going into a store, trying pieces on, and seeing the material.”

WHAT'S YOUR STYLE OF SHOPPING?

I do a lot of online shopping. But I prefer going into a store, trying pieces on, and seeing the material. For example, I wasn't sold on Khaite in the beginning. Everyone was wearing it and it looked fine. But why would I spend all my money on that? And then I went into the store, saw the pieces and fabric, and tried on the clothes. And I realized this is worth it. The quality is beautiful.

WHAT PIECES ARE YOUR GO-TOS FROM PAGERIE FOR YOU AND PUP, SYBIL?

I love The Ox Leash and The Dórro collar! 

“I am obsessed with silver, so she has a lot of chain collars or leashes because I love the look of jewelry on a dog.”

WHAT IS SYBIL'S DAILY UNIFORM AND WHAT IS SHE MOST COMFORTABLE IN?

She has so much uniformity in her coloring that I keep things really minimal with her. She is a loud-looking dog with big black and white spots. We get stopped a lot just to ask what her breed is and to take photos of her. I love the attention.

I am obsessed with silver, so she has a lot of chain collars or leashes because I love the look of jewelry on a dog. When she was a puppy, we definitely accessorized her more because she had really short fur. It was also the first time I had a dog that needed a sweater in the winter. For dog coats, in the city, she mostly wears a big, cozy fisherman's sweater when we go outside. And then upstate, she has a Carhartt jacket. She's a girl who does both. It's fun to have your dog reflect your personal style.

HOW DOES FASHION AND YOUR WARDROBE MAKE YOU FEEL?

In my early 20s, when social media became popular, I was obsessed with curating the everyday experience. And that's what I strive for and love when making a new purchase. I love to purchase things that feel they will elevate my every day, whether that is a beautiful piece of clothing or the perfect wine glasses for your kitchen. You want to purchase things that make you feel happy when you see them and get to use them.

WHAT EXCITES YOU MOST ABOUT THE FUTURE OF FASHION?

I spent so much of my 20s working in fashion and I loved it, but it can get really overwhelming. I personally feel excited to continue to grow into my own skin and continue to work with a less is more motto—owning less, owning quality, and loving what I have.

MADELYNN AND SYBIL'S PAGERIE PIECES