Contemporary Sophistication with Darlene Molnar

Contemporary, charming, and chic: all words that are embodied by interior designer Darlene Molnar’s beautiful work. She specializes in creating spaces that balance function and aesthetic, integrating modern design elements with personalized details.

Darlene’s design studio works mainly in Maryland, Washington DC, and Northern Virginia. She is selective in her process, tackling limited projects at one time so she can lead her team through the entire process with a dedicated vision. She emphasizes sustainable design practices, reflecting the growing trend in eco-friendly, responsible interior design.

But her expertise extends well beyond crafting bespoke interiors. Darlene has designed home decor products, furniture, and taught in the Interior Architecture & Design Department at George Washington University.

Get to know the woman behind the designs in this edition of Love Happens’ Design Questionnaire.


Lh Design Questionnaire with Darlene Molnar


Interior designer Darlene Molnar
Darlene Molnar

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

A balanced work and personal life. I used to think that if I wasn’t in the weeds all the time I wasn’t advancing. It’s taken a decade and lots of navigating to understand it’s just the opposite.

I now work toward perfecting my work-life balance by fine-tuning my process, knowing when to hand tasks off to my team, and getting better at turning away work that isn’t a great fit for me. Creating a better balance has made me fall in love with my career all over again and enabled me to enjoy my personal life more.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Creating a business from scratch and bootstrapping it to where it is today–I am proud of that. There is still so much more I see myself doing and achieving. Building a business is tough, and this industry is deceptively complex. I am proud I’ve been able to make this a sustainable career.

What profession does your alter ego have?

I can’t imagine not being a creative, so definitely some other kind of designer or maker. After graduate school, I had the opportunity to teach in the interior design department of my alma mater. One of the benefits of being on the faculty was that I could audit another course every semester I taught.

I took all kinds of courses, including sculpture, woodworking, metalsmithing, and even glasswork. My alter ego would probably work in a shop as a furniture or jewelry maker.

Your favorite business tool or resource.

I listen to a lot of podcasts and especially find it inspiring to hear other designers share their journeys and best practices.

The most timeless design.

Anything Mies van der Rohe will always be timeless. His pieces look just as smart in a countryside manor as they do in a sleek skyscraper.

The biggest design faux pas.

Not valuing time as an investment in the design processor decorating by aimless accumulation. I am often called upon after a home has been filled with every shopping urge or quick fix.

I am passionate about style identification and concept development as the most crucial aspect in the design process. Even if you aren’t working with a professional interior designer, you should take steps to fully understand your home style before making selections.

Dining room design by Darlene Molnar

Our publisher, KOKET, makes statement décor. If you were to design a room around one of their pieces, which would it be, and why?

The Paris Travertine Marble Oval Dining Table. Natural stone and walnut are two of my favorite materials and this table combines them beautifully.

paris oval dining table koket luxury marble white

Explore more from Darlene Molnar

Introduction and Copyediting by Bridget Kitson
All Photos Courtesy of Darlene Molnar


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