We caught up with one of Hagood Home’s talented designers, Ali Keene, to discuss her experience, inspiration, and passions in the home design industry.

Q1. How did you get into the design industry? What is your education & experience background?

“I decided to get into design when I was majoring in Business at Eastern Carolina University. I quickly realized the corporate world was not for me, and I have always enjoyed design, so I headed home to Wilmington to get my Interior Design degree at Cape Fear Community College. I have worked in many areas of design, including website design, tradeshow design, interior design, staging, and retail!”

Q2. Where does your inspiration come from when designing?

“For my personal designs, my inspiration comes from the colors and textures of the outdoors. My home, at the moment, gives all the jungle vibes with teals, greens, palms, velvet, and animal prints! I realize this is not for everyone, so when I am designing with clients, I like to tap into what they want to feel when they enter a room. I rely heavily on colors that make people feel happy and calm!”

Q3. What do you love about your job?

“The best part about my job is that no homeowner is the same and that I get to see my designs come to life! Every home I help design is different, so it never gets boring.”

Q4. Is there one design or project you’re particularly proud of? What do you love about it?

“I am proud of all the homes I’ve helped design! I am particularly excited to see one home in RiverSea come to life, as we used lots of calming blues and greys with dramatic countertops to give the home an elegant feel.”

Q5. What draws you to the coastal Carolina area? Why is this a good place to call home?

“I’m a local! I was born and raised in Burgaw and moved to Wilmington when I was 10 years old. There are so many different parts of Wilmington – from the island beaches to downtown and the shopping districts – and they’re only about 15 minutes from one another.”

Q6. In your opinion, what makes Hagood’s homes unique?

“The attention to detail and execution by each member of the team. Every person you work with throughout the process is important and relies on one another to ensure the final product meets the client’s expectations and is on par with the Hagood Homes standards. Not to mention the stunning plans!”

Q7. What design trends are you excited about?

“Currently, I am very excited about bathroom designs! I love adding something unique to give the room a ‘designer’ feel. Whether that comes from a tile pattern, cabinet color, or countertop that elevates the space.”

Q8. What are you passionate about outside of work?

“Outside of work, I love hanging out with my friends, going to new restaurants, and traveling when I can!”

Interested in learning more about Hagood Home’s design process? Contact us by using the form below.