Meet Eddie Maestri, AIA | Principal Architect & Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Eddie Maestri, AIA and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eddie, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I draw inspiration from my roots growing up in New Orleans….I love the classical elements of the historic architecture of the Garden District, my study abroad in Italy during college gave me a great appreciation for classical forms and patterns as well. I find great inspiration in the places I visit. Whether it is a short trip to New York, or a week in Kyoto or Stockholm, I try to soak in the details in the architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture for inspiration. I try to take time to capture inspiration spaces in a sketch, and I find that studying a space to put it on paper, I learn a great deal about it.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I’ve wanted to be an architect/designer since I was five years old. I was the kid in school with a sketch pad – drawing houses and buildings every chance I could get. I was more excited about projects around the house than I ever was just playing around the house. I have always had a great appreciation of art and getting my hands dirty trying new things. My business start with my own home: experimenting with design and jumping into seemingly endless DIY projects at my first home. While I was working for a large architecture firm and learning a great deal there, it was the projects at home – some successful, some complete flops – that led me to branch out on my own. I began getting a few design jobs here and there from neighbors, friends of friends, and slowly built up enough business to be able to formally launch Maestri Studio in 2008. It was definitely not easy. There were countless late nights and lots of hard work, but I was determined and confident in myself that I could achieve my goals. I was also very fortunate to have the support and encouragement from my friends, family, and husband. What started as a very small business has developed into a dynamic design firm that I am very proud of. We constantly set new goals, new aspirations, and raise the bar for our achievements.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We enjoy having family and friends come visit and try to give them a good feel for what we love about Dallas. We like taking them to the Arboretum to experience the outdoors and always a stop at Klyde Warren Park and The Perot if we have kids in tow. I’d try to have a good mix of laid-back casual meals at some of my favorites like Smokey Rose, The Truck Yard and ice cream at The Creamery on Lowest Greenville. For drinks and dinner, I love Lounge Here in East Dallas, Lounge 31 in Highland Park Village, Bullion Downtown, and nothing beats a relaxed evening with some take-out tacos from Torchy’s Tacos and drinks in the backyard around the firepit.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My amazing team at Maestri Studio | Gallery. Our studio would not be as successful as it is without the wide range of talent, experience, and enthusiasm that my team brings to every project. They continue to push me see things in new and creative ways, and push our clients to challenge the status quo.

Website: www.maestristudio.com
Instagram: maestristudio maestrigallery

Image Credits
Jenifer McNeil Baker, Aaron Dougherty,