A Tov sofa in the living room shares space with travel photography by Kamala Nahas and Heather Deffense.
A Tov sofa in the living room shares space with travel photography by Kamala Nahas and Heather Deffense.
Sublime paint by Clare adorns the owner’s bedroom walls, echoing the hues of the water below.
In his home office, Sherwin-Williams’ Tricorn Black is a backdrop for a vintage chaise, a Turkish rug and an abstract canvas the owner acquired in Senegal.
Wire hangings from Ghana animate the dining area. Photo: Antar Hanif
The foyer showcases a watercolor-esque Minted mural.
“I like spaces to be livable, soulful and well-curated,” declares Saudah Saleem (pictured). In a Silo Point condo on Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, she channeled a masculine vibe for a single dad, embellishing the rooms with bold color and her client’s collection of African art. Portrait: MIchael Ventura
By Julie Sanders | Photography by Keyanna Bowen
Saudah Saleem, who hails from Brooklyn, has always been in love with fashion, history and art. After marrying and moving to Baltimore, she transitioned from a government job to a career in interior design. “I longed for the city life I’d left and its cultural diversity,” she observes. “Design helped me tune back into it.”
As is often the case, Saleem discovered early on that she had a natural affinity for home décor. Years of painting, refinishing furniture and helping friends with their homes showed her she could make a career of it; today, she employs a support staff of two and completes about 12 residential and commercial projects a year. Though she relinquished her downtown Baltimore studio when covid hit, it will reopen in July. “I find I like the separation of work and home life,” reveals the designer, who is a mother of five.
Saleem’s clients tend to be diverse, worldly and well-traveled, and share her interest in fashion and the arts. “I typically design with cultural infusion in mind; African and Asian influences are common in my work,” she relates, adding, “I love to see the potential in a space and to be able to transform it into something my clients will love.”
Interior Design: Saudah Saleem, Saudah Saleem Interiors, Baltimore, Maryland.