Interview with Maitri Mody
We are thrilled to introduce you to one of Portland, Maine’s newest creative wonderkinds, Maitri Mody! Our paths have interlocked in a fun way and we are here to give you a sneak peek into the creative process and dreams of someone who inspires through color, happy home design and a shared love of furry family members.
AA: Hello Maitri! And a big warm welcome to Portland, Maine.
Your creativity is a burst of positivity and we couldn’t be more excited to have you as a brand new Portlander. Let’s lay the land for our readers that may not know of your work. How do you describe what you do? And how did this all come about?
MM: Thank you so much for the warm welcome, Angela! I’m so excited to call Portland my new home. The people here have been so kind and welcoming—special shoutout to my neighbors.
I’ve always been drawn to creative work. My background is in fashion—I started out in Mumbai as a costume and editorial stylist, then went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in International Trade and Marketing for Fashion Industries from FIT in New York. Later, while working in fashion production in London, I found myself missing the more creative side of the industry. That’s when I started my Instagram account, @honeyidressedthepug, where I posted fun matching outfits with my pug, Ari. It began as a playful creative outlet, but by the time I moved back to New York three years later, the account had grown to about 20,000 followers. Brands began reaching out for collaborations, and that’s when I realized this could become a career path.
It’s been eight years since that first paid campaign, and I’ve now been working full-time as a content creator for the past five years.
AA: What a fascinating career path. I especially love how you have shown confidence in yourself and decision making and allowing your passions to help lead the way. I’m particularly drawn to the positive vibe of your work. It’s fresh and uplifting and you obviously have a lot of fun doing it. I always admire people that chart their own path and design a career that inspires them. Especially for women, this is a bold journey because there are so many expected paths laid before us. Did you have mentors or other people that helped nurture your creativity and help give you the confidence to do something unexpected and different with your career choices?
MM: Thank you so much for your kind words, Angela! I didn’t have a formal mentor, but my mom has always been my biggest source of support. Even though she grew up in a fairly conservative environment in India, she encouraged my brother and me to explore creativity from an early age. She signed us up for everything—dance, painting, even karate—so we were always experimenting and expressing ourselves.
When I decided to drop out of my accounting degree halfway through to pursue fashion—a path that wasn’t considered a “serious” career choice in India 20 years ago—my mom not only supported me but also convinced my dad to get on board. That gave me the courage to follow my instincts and trust my creative side. I’ll always be grateful to my parents for giving me that freedom early on.
I completely agree that a career in the creative field isn’t linear. You have to carve your own way, stay open to new possibilities, and pivot when things don’t feel right. There were definitely moments where the stability of an accounting career seemed tempting—but honestly, it would never have been half as fun or fulfilling as the path I chose.
AA: Something you did that really struck me, was the video of you packing up your apartment in New York as you prepared to move to Maine. I love how blatant that message of change is. Change can be very difficult, and moving from a big city to a very small one is quite a transition. Watching you remove art from the walls and even paint your previous home all white, literally covering up your past (colorful) life there is quite symbolic. And you communicated it in a very positive way. How will you set yourself up differently this time, in your new home? It’s a different place, a different time. What else will be different?
MM: By now, my followers are used to seeing me decorate and redecorate—I’ve shared the journey of three different New York rentals, and some people have been following along since my very first little studio on the Upper West Side. But this last move definitely felt different. It was symbolic in a way—closing a chapter in the city that shaped me, and likely my last rental in New York.
What excites me about this new apartment is the freedom. For the first time, I’m not bound by the limitations of renting—I can make lasting choices, which is both liberating and honestly a little overwhelming. When there are no restrictions, every decision feels bigger.
Still, I know my home will carry the style I’ve been honing over the years—colorful and playful, but also grounded in a sense of calm. That balance is really important to me, especially now as I settle into this new chapter in Portland.
AA: Okay, I can’t stand it any longer! We have to talk about the connection between us in regard to your new home. Your new home just so happens to be where we had our studios, furniture shop and offices for 19 years! I spent those years looking out your new windows and watching Portland evolve. It was a very special time for us and that building really was the perfect place for us to hatch our business and dreams. We made rugs and furniture on the first floor and had studios and offices upstairs. I can’t imagine a more perfect occupant in that space. How did you decide on Portland and this place for your new home?
MM: I still can’t get over the history of this space, and I feel so lucky to call your former studio my home. There’s definitely a creative energy here—I can almost imagine all the ideas that once took shape within these walls.
Honestly, I usually take more time deciding on a pair of shoes than I did with this apartment. It was the first and only place I really loved, and it just felt right from the start. The original details, the loft-style layout, and even the fact that it’s on India Street—sharing a name with where I’m from—all made it feel like a sign.
When my realtor mentioned that this used to be your studio, I discovered your work and immediately felt a connection. Your designs are colorful and playful, which resonated so much with my own style. It truly felt like the universe had reserved this apartment for me.
I first saw it in December, right when I was starting to think seriously about leaving New York. By March, I was certain I wanted to move to Portland, so I checked back in with the realtor—and somehow, it was still on the market. That sealed it. It felt meant to be.
AA: How does Ari, your beautiful Pug like Portland? Any favorite spots to note? I can share one you have to check out right down the street – The Fish and Bone! The happiest, healthiest pet supply place in Portland, Maine.
MM: Oh, Ari has already discovered Fish & Bone! Every time we walk by, he insists on stopping at the door—even if it’s early in the morning before they’re open. He’ll just sit there until I nudge him along. We’re already members, and of course he loves it—it’s where his stash of treats comes from.
He’s also a big fan of Bom Dia—they’re so dog-friendly, and it’s become our go-to coffee stop. And East End beach might be his absolute favorite. Overall, I think he’s settling into Portland just as happily as I am.
AA: Great to hear Ari gives Portland the paw up!
You are a strong color person and your NYC home was full of pastel colors and soft shapes and lines. Will you carry that palette forward to Portland or will you tweak the colors – and if so, what is your philosophy on how to land on the right colors and aesthetic for your home and location?
MM: You’re right—I tend to gravitate toward soft colors like pastels because I want my spaces to feel colorful, but also calm and soothing. That said, I love weaving in small bursts of bright, primary colors. For example, the entryway in my old apartment was a joyful pop of vibrant hues.
I’ll likely take a similar approach here in Portland: mostly soft, soothing tones as the base, with playful pops of saturated color through furniture and decor. I often think of pastels as my “neutrals,” and then layer it with brighter shades in small doses. For me, it’s a way to keep the space lively without feeling overwhelming.
AA: What advice do you have for someone embarking on a new career and how to chart a course that inspires you?
MM: I’d say start by learning from those who are already doing what you want to pursue. When I began, I watched and learned from established creators and influencers—it gave me a sense of what was possible.
At the same time, be ready to pivot. Creative careers are rarely linear. I made a big pivot in 2020 when I started sharing home and interior content, having previously worked only with fashion and lifestyle brands. That shift grew my account in ways I couldn’t have imagined and opened doors to work with some of my dream brands.
I’m also in the process of writing my first design book with Ten Speed Press, coming out next year—it’s all about Dopamine Decor. My advice is this: even if a change feels scary, if you believe in it, take the leap. It might just take you exactly where you want to go.
AA: That’s great advice, Maitri and I am so happy your instincts led you to Portland.
It’s going to be so much fun watching your home and new Portland life evolve. Thank you for sharing your experiences and dreams and bringing such a beautiful, positive energy to the world through your work.
XO Angela