Baker | McGuire & Modern Luxury DC Present: Design NextGen

Home > Baker | McGuire & Modern Luxury DC Present: Design NextGen

3:00 PM TO 5:00 PMM

Baker | McGuire & Modern Luxury DC Present: Design NextGen

Join DC Modern Luxury & Interiors Washington Editor-in-Chief Michael McCarthy at the Baker | McGuire showroom for a lively conversation with the creatives at the forefront of Washington DC’s next generation of interior design. This engaging panel with notable local designers Keira St. Claire, Byron Risdon, Elizabeth Pal and Mary Jo Major will explore the latest in décor trends, luxury furnishings, and how to craft timeless, residential spaces that will endure the test of time. Enjoy hors d’oeuvre and wine pairings while learning what is new and next in design.

Event Speakers

Michael McCarthy

Modern Luxury

Michael McCarthy has been an editor-in-chief at Modern Luxury Media for a decade, with leadership roles from coast to coast. He currently oversees markets in Washington, San Francisco and Silicon Valley. He also leads the editorial for the brand’s national wine and spirits category and recently helped launch Interiors Washington as its editor-in-chief.

Michael, who is a proud third-generation Washingtonian, has also been an editorial director at Boulder-based Active Interest Media, where he was the editor of multiple national home-magazine titles. He also was the editorial director at TMG/McMurry, the leading custom publisher in the country, as he oversaw titles from a diverse set of national and regional titles.

Keira St. Claire

Keira St. Claire Interiors

Keira has a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Interior Architecture and Design from George Washington University and over 13 years of experience as a residential interior designer with some of the area’s top architecture and design firms. Keira’s work during her time with Anthony Wilder has been published in numerous publications, including Southern Home, House, and Garden, USA Today, The Washingtonian, The Washington Post, and DC Modern Luxury.

Her recognized talent can bring life into every space. She uses her discerning eye for visual composition to harmoniously blend architectural elements with finishes and furnishings, whether contemporary or traditional and everything in between. Fueled by the belief that interior design impacts one’s quality of life, her mission is to create beautiful environments that are elegant and sophisticated yet welcoming, livable, and, most importantly, personal. She considers the client to be her muse and inspiration.

Byron Risdon

Originally from South Carolina, Byron launched his Washington, DC-based design studio in 2016 after working as a designer in New York City for many years. His first project landed him in Home & Design’s “Hot Talent” feature. Additionally, Byron has been featured in Architectural Digest, Veranda, House Beautiful, Modern Luxury, and Aspire magazine. Byron’s style is inspired by his love of travel and interiors he has seen worldwide.

Byron Risdon LLC is a full-service, boutique interior design firm offering comprehensive services for residential and commercial clients. The firm prides itself on curating timeless, modern, and classic spaces that are both functional and refined. With a complete and tailored approach unique to each project, Byron transforms spaces to reflect the individual and their one-of-a-kind style.

Elizabeth Pal

Hudson Gray Design

Elizabeth Pal is a Washington, D.C.-based building designer and consultant. She started her career as a Consultant at IBM and Deloitte, specializing in business process reengineering and project management. In her last year at Deloitte, Elizabeth joined a Think Tank that inspired her to take her program management and design skills to the construction and design industry.

Elizabeth founded Hudson Gray Design in 2016, leading upscale design projects nationwide. From neighborhood buzz to Best of Houzz Awards in 2017-2019, the firm quickly established itself as a leader in designing beautiful, polished interiors. In 2018, she took a Lead Designer role with an award-winning Bethesda, MD-based builder. During her three-year tenure, she designed more than 10 custom homes from the ground up. In 2021, Elizabeth proudly introduced new services to Hudson Gray Design, offering clients premium design services as well as consulting and guidance for new builds and renovations. On a personal note, Elizabeth is most inspired by her two amazing sons, Hudson and Grayson.

Mary Jo Major

Rise Interiors

Originally from Houston TX (she still claims the Lone Star!), Mary Jo has lived on the East Coast since college. She has a passion to create beauty for people to live in. Design has been an inspiring part of her life ever since she was old enough to grasp what she wanted to really do- 6th grade. Mary Jo is drawn to bold designs that are thoughtfully executed with creativity that isn’t repeated easily. She’s interested in crafting rooms that tell a story of those who live in it. Influences from her clients’ rich mix of interests, cultures, and backgrounds are weaved into each of her designs.