The daughter of a Boston interior designer, Lauren Carranza grew up poring over fabric samples and visiting job sites with her mom. Though she loved décor, an independent streak sent her down a different path. “I wanted to do my own thing and went into social work,” she says.

Sadly, her mother passed away during the pandemic. The sudden loss coupled with the uncertainty of the moment “gave me time to pause,” she recalls. Carranza, who had long helped friends and colleagues with their interiors as a hobby, decided it was time to shift gears. “My wife and I did a massive renovation of our house and the spark went off again.” In 2023, she launched Seasons for Design, adapting the name of her mother’s firm.

Carranza’s experience drives her approach today. “Home was always at the center of my work, whether I was helping foster children or people experiencing homelessness,” she explains. “I understand the need for a home to conjure a feeling of security and belonging.”

She is presently designing an 1830s Old Town row house. “The client wants bold colors and rich jewel tones,” she enthuses. “And a giant sea mural to bring in a touch of the port’s history.

“It’s rewarding,” she reflects, “that through design, you can transform spaces that are not only inviting but also promote a sense of wellbeing.”

Interior Design: Lauren Carranza, Seasons for Design, Silver Spring, Maryland. Photography: Stacy Zarin Goldberg (foyer); Amanda Archibald (remaining).