Meet Mary Lambrakos | Principal Designer at Lambrakos Studio

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mary Lambrakos and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mary, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’m not sure I ever set out with a clear plan to pursue a creative career. I think it unfolded more naturally, shaped by how I was raised and what has always moved me. Growing up in a Greek-American family, there was a strong sense of rhythm to daily life. Beauty, tradition, and storytelling were always present. That kind of environment teaches you to pay attention and to find meaning in the details.

At Rice University, I studied art history with a focus on modern and African art, which helped me see how deeply objects and spaces can speak. They hold memory, belief, and identity. My time at the Menil, especially working with Franklin Sirmans on NeoHooDoo, deepened that understanding. It showed me how art and design are connected not just to beauty, but to what we value and how we live.

Design became the language I was most drawn to. It offers a quiet, lasting transformation that has always intrigued me. I’m especially interested in spaces that ask for patience and care, the kind that reveal themselves slowly over time. For me, every project is about understanding a place, honoring its history, and imagining what it can become. So it never felt like chasing a career. It felt more like returning to something I’ve always known. A way of creating rooted in intention, and that, if done well, leaves something meaningful behind.

What should our readers know about your business?
I opened Lambrakos Studio in 2013 with a desire to create spaces that honor both the architecture of a place and the life unfolding within. I have always been drawn to the intersection of art and structure, where form and materiality carry meaning.. The studio grew from that instinct: to design homes that feel intentional, authentic, and memorable.

What sets our work apart is not a signature look, but the way we listen and approach every facet of design with curiosity. Each project begins with conversation and we spend time understanding not just how our clients live, but what moves them: what they collect, what they remember, what rhythms shape their days. That process allows us to create spaces that are as emotionally grounded as they are technically refined. Design, for us, is never about imposing a vision. It is about uncovering one that already exists, and giving it form with care and clarity.

Like any creative pursuit, building the studio has had its challenges. Design demands precision and requires emotional intelligence. Balancing both, while building a business rooted in trust and thoughtfulness, has taken time, discipline, and a willingness to evolve. What I have learned along the way is that quality work is never rushed. It asks for patience, presence, and a deep respect for process.
Today, what excites me most is continuing to expand the conversation around what a home can be. I am interested in environments that do more than function beautifully. I want them to hold meaning, to invite reflection, and to offer a sense of calm or quiet joy.

We design for the inner life as much as the outward one, and are drawn to homes that reflect not only how someone lives, but also what they value. When architecture, art, and interiors come together with intention, something enduring takes shape.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
A stay at the new Hotel Saint Augustine is a must! It’s beautifully designed and just a short walk from the Menil Collection, the Drawing Institute, and the Cy Twombly Gallery, which I could spend hours in. I’d start the day with coffee from Agora or The Tipping Point before heading over to Sawyer Yards in the First Ward Arts District, where you can wander through working studios and murals that capture so much of Houston’s creative energy.

Afternoon strolls through McGovern Centennial Gardens and the Cullen Sculpture Garden, curated by Isamu Noguchi, are always a favorite. I would time that so we can catch the sunset at James Turrell’s Skyspace at Rice University. It’s one of those experiences that slows everything down in the best possible way.

Evenings are for cocktails at Better Luck Tomorrow and dinner at Nobie’s for something relaxed and soulful, or Marmo if you’re in the mood for something a little more polished. And of course, no trip to Houston is complete without a stop at La Guadalupana. It’s tiny, delicious, and right down the street from the Guild Shop, which is a Houston hot spot for those who love to dig for vintage and antique treasures.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I truly believe that no creative path is traveled alone. So many people and experiences have shaped my journey, and I am deeply grateful for each one. First and foremost, my family’s steady support and encouragement gave me a strong sense of purpose and confidence that still guides my work today.
My time at Rice University and the Menil Collection were especially formative. At Rice, I studied art history with a focus on modern and African art, which helped me understand how objects and spaces carry memory, belief, and identity. At the Menil, I worked closely with Franklin Sirmans on NeoHooDoo: Art for a Forgotten Faith which was far more than just a job. It was a deep education in how art holds space for culture and history. His mentorship showed me that design is not just about how something looks, but about what it honors and evokes.

Travel has also played a powerful role in shaping my perspective. Experiencing different cultures and communities taught me how to read space, how to observe materiality, and how to listen to the quiet stories places carry.

So my shoutout goes to the people and experiences that taught me to listen and embrace curiosity. Their influence lives in every project I take on, helping me create homes that feel both personal and resonant.

Website: https://www.lambrakos.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lambrakos.studio/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-lambrakos-20180623b/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lambrakos.studio/

Other: Pinterest: https://sk.pinterest.com/lambrakosstudio/

Perigold x Lambrakos Studio Collaboration: https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-101369003-17014983?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.perigold.com%2Fdaily-sales%2Fwhat-mary-lambrakos-is-loving-right-now%7Ee315692.html%3FfromNEM%3Dtrue%26unifiedeventid%3D463620

Image Credits
The images titled Htx 1, 2, 6 (living room looking into the dining room, the statue photo, and the bathroom photo) are credited to Par Bengtsson. The rest are Divya Pande.