Byron Risdon
Up and down the East Coast, Byron Risdon has made his mark on the interior design world. Now a seasoned professional with almost 20 years in the interior design industry, Byron fell in love with interior and design processes as a child and found his way back into design after a planned career in education. His eye has led him to appear on the pages of top design magazines and as a room designer for Kip’s Bay as a high-end residential interior designer. Meet Byron.
DS: Thanks for joining us, Byron. Tell us about your entry into interior design. Did you study it or fall into it?
Byron: Well, I planned on teaching but I never did. I completed a Bachelor’s in Childhood Education and my Master’s in Elementary Education. But after grad school, my friends were getting married and buying their first homes and I was helping them decorate. Then, I got a referral from a friend to work with someone I didn't know and she hired me to do her 3 kids bedrooms. We did the first one and it was great. The second one, not so much. Let's say I learned a lesson in priming walls before painting when using rich colors. Needless to say, she didn't call me back to do the third one! After that experience I realized I had a lot to learn.
DS: How did you know you wanted to work for yourself, rather than for an established design firm?
Byron: I didn't want to go back to school, so I naively started applying for jobs and actually landed one with a boutique firm in NYC. I had a real job, I didn't start as an intern like most people in my position. After working for several different firms, in 2015 I took a job in Baltimore working for a designer but it wasn't a good fit for me. I took a few months to reassess, and in 2016 I was offered an opportunity to work with a couple in Bethesda on a renovation and the rest is history.
DS: You’ve designed some beautiful spaces. What project are you most proud of?
Byron: A recently completed project here in the Chevy Chase neighborhood. The house had great bones and we transformed for the current homeowners creating a space they can call their own.
DS: What do you love the most about your job?
Byron: Transforming people's lives through their most intimate spaces. Giving them a place of refuge and peace. While I love designing beautiful and functional interiors, the most important characteristic is how the completed space makes you feel. I want my clients to be part of the process and I believe in a collaborative effort. I treat every project individually and create spaces that will stand the test of time.
Interior design by Byron.
DS: Where do you find inspiration?
Byron: Travel, set design, and shelter magazines. As a child, I watched my mother flip through shelter magazines and witnessed her excitement at the new wallpaper or custom draperies being installed in our home. That stayed with me.
DS: Your work is so layered and rich. What is your favorite design style?
Byron: I’m definitely more of a modern mix, but I’m a huge fan of mid century. My aesthetic is timeless, tailored, layered, and textural. I love to mix patterns, styles, and colors. I always approach designing a home with the idea that there is an invisible string tying each room together to tell a story about your home and the people that live there. Each room is its own space but always harmoniously connected to the whole.
Byron from his House Beautiful feature
DS: Now that you’ve been in the design field for almost twenty years, what advice would you give to aspiring interior designers?
Byron: Never stop learning. Things change so rapidly you have to know how to pivot on a dime to remain current but also respecting the traditions of the past. Also, authenticity is everything. Authenticity in design means you will stay true to yourself and your vision.
Lounge area designed by Byron.
DS: What are your favorite 3 cities in the world?
Byron: New York - Any and everything you want is on that little island. It’s a magical place. Paris - The architecture, history and overall culture of the city. I feel at home there. New Orleans - It’s a perfect mix of southern hospitality, worldly culture and authenticity.
DS: Who are some creative people that you find inspiring?
Byron: Andre Leon Talley, Eddie Murphy, Darryl Carter, Patrick Kelly
—-
Find Byron:
