Background
Laura Sullivan is an interior designer and entrepreneur whose passion for art, technical construction knowledge, and commitment to healthier living environments have shaped her work at ID.ology. Based in Western North Carolina, Sullivan has developed an approach to residential design that brings together creativity, construction expertise, and a concern for the long term well being of the people who inhabit her projects.
Her interest in the built environment began during childhood. Her father worked in real estate, renovating properties for resale and rental, and regularly brought Sullivan and her sisters to construction sites. These early experiences introduced her to the practical side of building and helped establish a familiarity with construction that would later become an important part of her professional career.
Art was equally influential. Sullivan enjoyed drawing, pottery, and creative classes throughout her childhood, although her initial professional ambitions were focused on healthcare. After a health occupations class showed her how much she liked to help people, she earned certification as a nursing assistant and began premedical studies.
After two years of college, Sullivan reconsidered her direction and discovered the interior design program at Appalachian State University. The discipline offered an opportunity to combine her artistic interests, experience with real estate, and desire to create environments that positively affect people’s lives.
Her education provided an unusually technical foundation. Alongside design courses, she studied electrical systems, plumbing, HVAC, and architectural concepts. After graduation, this background enabled her to obtain a contractor’s license.
Before establishing her own design studio, Sullivan worked independently across construction, real estate, and interior design. She describes that period as being a jack of all trades, and when she met her husband, who handled the building, she decided to focus on design and open the firm.
Looking back, she says she sometimes wishes she had worked for another design firm first, though she believes it could have set her on a track that would not have led to ID.ology.
In 2012, she opened ID.ology, establishing a design practice that works collaboratively with her husband’s custom home building company, Living Stone Design + Build. The partnership allows the businesses to coordinate design and construction while maintaining distinct areas of expertise.
The companies later expanded their services through a furniture store opened in 2020, offering furnishing options selected with an emphasis on healthier materials.
Approach
Sullivan’s design philosophy is grounded in the belief that a home should support its occupants as well as reflect their personal style.
At ID.ology, material selection, indoor air quality, and environmental considerations are incorporated into the design process from the beginning. The studio emphasizes products with low or no VOCs and evaluates materials with an awareness of how they may affect the indoor environment.
Her focus on healthier homes grew out of years of green building and working with clients who had allergies or chemical sensitivities, which meant doing a lot of research to find products that would fit their needs.
Continuous improvement is central to her philosophy. Influenced by Kaizen, Sullivan believes that new knowledge and better available solutions should lead to ongoing refinements in the way homes are designed and furnished.
She also emphasizes the importance of verifying product claims. Rather than relying exclusively on marketing descriptions, Sullivan seeks evidence that products meet the health considerations her team prioritizes.
Biophilic design is another important element of her work. The studio considers lots of natural glass and outdoor water features, which she says are proven to improve occupant health.
Sullivan’s technical background supports an integrated design process. Her team collaborates with architects and builders during the early planning stages, considering architectural details, construction requirements, budgets, and furnishings together.
This coordination helps create a more consistent relationship between the client’s vision and the practical realities of building a home.
While health considerations remain a consistent priority, Sullivan does not limit the studio to one aesthetic. ID.ology works across traditional, modern, contemporary, industrial, rustic, and Craftsman interiors.
She believes designers should be willing to set aside their personal preferences and adapt to the tastes of their clients. This flexibility allows each project to develop its own identity while benefiting from the studio’s broader commitment to thoughtful materials, collaboration, and construction knowledge.
Beyond Design
Beyond her work with clients, Sullivan is deeply invested in the development of her team and the continued growth of her business.
She leads a studio of ten people, including herself, and places considerable importance on collaboration, mentorship, and recognizing the individual strengths of her employees.
Sullivan takes particular pride in seeing team members grow in their skills, vision, and creativity. She believes that a supportive studio environment allows designers to learn from one another and produce stronger work collectively.
Her vice president of design, Jill Jones, who has been with her for about seven years, keeps everyone in the office elevated and enjoying the work. Sullivan also values the guidance of outside professionals, including Jillian Pritchard Cook of Wellness Within Your Walls, whose expertise has contributed to the team’s understanding of healthier living environments.
Building ID.ology has required Sullivan to develop skills beyond design, including financial management, marketing, leadership, and business operations. Her entrepreneurial experience has reinforced the value of working with trusted partners and focusing her time where she can contribute most effectively.
She credits her husband with providing significant mentorship and support on the business side of her professional journey. Their partnership has allowed each to bring different strengths to a shared approach to residential design and construction.
Outside the studio, Sullivan continues to value painting as a personal creative outlet. Although the responsibilities of running a business make it difficult to dedicate as much time to painting as she would like, she hopes to pursue it more extensively in the future.
Her interest extends to creating artwork for clients, contributing pieces to the furniture store, and painting simply for personal enjoyment.
Sullivan’s appreciation for art, her technical understanding of construction, and her desire to care for people continue to influence the way she approaches her work.
Through ID.ology, she has brought those experiences together in a practice that considers both the visual and practical qualities of residential spaces. Her professional journey reflects a commitment to learning, mentoring others, and creating homes that balance individual expression with a thoughtful approach to the health and comfort of their occupants.
Laura Sullivan on Healthy Homes, Design Build Collaboration, and Designing for Every Client
