2023 DDA Rising Star: Shining Brightly

Interior designer Madison Philip receives this year’s Rising Star honor

The Brian Killian Rising Star winner for 2023 has had an eye on design for several years. In fact, ever since she was a little girl, Madison Philip has gravitated toward interior design. “I used to love going into friends’ and family members’ homes, and whenever I traveled, I’d look at how things were done or figure out what made spaces work so well,” she recalls. “As I got older, even when other opportunities would present themselves, I always came back to interior design, knowing it’s what I wanted to do and had a deep passion for.”

A few years after graduating from Liberty University in Virginia in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in interior design and a minor in business, Philip opened Studio Harmony in her Royal Oak home.

FOREVER INSPIRED – Ever since she was a little girl, Madison Philip has gravitated toward interior design.

This year’s Detroit Design Awards Rising Star says a favorite part of the job is walking through the design process with a client and then seeing the full transformation take place.

“I also enjoy creating clever solutions, and knowing my clients have entrusted me with their homes — which is such a personal and intimate space — means a lot.”

Her portfolio includes working on everything from a 1950s Mid-century home in Bloomfield Hills to a Northville mudroom. The name of her firm, Studio Harmony, refers to the fact that she believes she creates spaces that sing, and helps clients find harmony in their homes.

A recent Troy project is one of her favorites. The clients wanted a modern, dramatic feel to the home while taking into account the more traditional interior architecture the house already had. “I focused on a simple palette and clean design, and allowed quality materials to be the (stars),” she says. “One of my favorite parts of this project had to be the bunk room. The clients had a spare room that was completely empty, and since they have a large amount of extended family and friends who visit from out of town, this provided enough room for two twin and queen
beds — the ultimate hosting package!”

When not working, this former Division 1 collegiate soccer player says some of her favorite pastimes are being outdoors, reading classic novels, and working on a design for a Mid-century-styled chicken coop.

Congratulations, Madison!


Detroit Design Awards 2023

Judges
Details
Exteriors
Interiors
Homes
Commercial Design
Rising Star
Readers’ Choice