Meet Augusta Hoffman, Empress of the Understated
Augusta Hoffman, it seems, came out of nowhere. Since embarking on her solo career in 2019 after cutting her teeth at AREA Interior Design, Hoffman’s eponymous New York–based firm has been making a big splash in the design world, each project bearing what has quickly become her signature devil-may-care aesthetic. Walking into a room by Augusta Hoffman Studio is like walking into a painting made up of deliciously rich wallcoverings, burnished metals, and sumptuous textiles—often in some rendition of olive green, which she confesses is her favorite color.
A New Yorker at heart, Hoffman’s forte is small-space design, an arena she has proven can be opulent in its own right. “As glamorous as it is to do a huge house in the middle of, say, Texas, working on these small New York apartments with a lot of character lends itself to fun, creative solutions.”
Hoffman’s singular eye for elegance can be seen in everything from her residential projects like this Upper West Side stunner to commercial projects like her chic rendering of Danielle Frankel’s wedding dress salon (we’d say yes to the dress before batting at eye when the backdrop is this dreamy). But our favorite project is her own Manhattan loft, featured in the May 2023 issue of ELLE DECOR, which demonstrates her ability to layer a space in a way that feels equally effortless and refined. “Design should be exploratory and enjoyable,” Hoffman says. “Our spaces ultimately embrace elegance, but we never take ourselves too seriously.”
For this Parsons School of Design–educated designer, inspiration comes from the most unlikely of places, and often far from home. “My dream designs are very reflective of details captured from past trips,” she explains, speaking of her travels, most recently, to Japan, France, and Mexico. “The simplicity and thoughtfulness of the Aman in Kyoto, the charm and warmth of the cobblestone streets of San Miguel de Allende...I love picking up little luxurious details to share with my clients at home.”
Looking ahead, Hoffman’s growing team at the new design studio in Manhattan’s NoHo neighborhood has several projects underway, including townhomes in Brooklyn, a whimsical project in Palm Beach, and numerous Hamptons residences. She is also expanding her focus into product development.
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