Photos courtesy of Ryan Matthew Interiors
The Bedford native uses his design expertise to reimagine spaces and create sanctuaries at homes and retail locations in the county.
Have you ever stepped foot into a hotel or restaurant and felt excited?
You know the feeling. It’s that moment of happiness and ease when anticipation for what comes next creates a temporary oblivion from the stresses of life.
Now, what if you could feel that at home?
That experiential excitement is precisely the foundation for Ryan Matthew Interiors (RMI), a New York City-based interior design studio with a primary focus in Westchester County. Owner and Bedford native Ryan Matthew launched the brand during the pandemic after life as he knew it came to a standstill.
“RMI was born during the peak of the pandemic, when my traveling came to an abrupt halt and the world as we knew it changed,” Matthew explains. “I understood that there was a need for people to experience their personal space in the same way they experience going on vacation or staying at a hotel – full of anticipation and excitement apart from the pressures of the every day. My projects center around creating that experience from the ground up.”
With a concept in mind, Matthew launched Ryan Matthew Interiors as an interior experience studio. Although the brand is based in New York City, most of Matthew’s clients are in Westchester County, with a focus on northern cities like Bedford, Katonah, and Pound Ridge. For each project, Matthew roots himself in the inspiration that prompted him to launch RMI in the first place.
“I always loved the experiential elements of design. I have had the privilege of being able to travel and stay in some of the most luxurious places around the globe, from Italy to Miami, Spain to Mexico, and places in between,” he reveals. When coming up with Ryan Matthew Interiors, “I began to formulate the concept of transferring the experience of culture, craft, and cuisine to people’s private spaces, so they could be transported to an elevated state of mind.”
For Matthew, who studied at Parsons School of Design and cut his teeth alongside designers like Phillip Lim, Carlos Campos, and Thierry Lasry, along with creatives like Sara Arnell and Kelly Cutrone, commencing a design project starts with throwing the rules to the wayside.
“It’s not about interior design per se – or about rules,” he observes. “Everything I do for my clients is rooted in ritual and grounded in design…reimagining space, embracing change, and focusing on transition. In other words, we answer the fundamental questions: how do you want to experience your space and how do you want it to make you feel? We believe in the value of sanctuary, and that is what we create for every client.”
To craft sanctuaries in Westchester, Matthew begins with a conversation about which spaces clients seek to improve, as well as how they would like to elevate them. From there, Ryan Matthew Interiors dives headfirst into a design process that prioritizes the sensory experience to help a room or home realize its full potential.
“Our interior services enhance your everyday experiences, starting with interior design and ranging from sourcing new to embarking on a full interior renovation,” he elaborates. “We work to fully understand how to elevate the experience of the space – how it feels, smells, tastes – using our carefully selected network of specialists to bring the project to fruition.”
Thus far, Matthew has concentrated his projects primarily in northern Westchester, specifically in areas like Bedford, Katonah, and Pound Ridge. He’s worked on everything from an update to a Tudor to a complete rework of a commercial space. Currently, he’s in the midst of a bungalow redesign.
For Matthew, who grew up in a creative family, the possibilities of design are endless. That’s why he’s excited to launch his new pop-up collaboration with KAHLO Collective, an eco-chic boutique in Pound Ridge, on October 15. Through the partnership, he will offer a curated selection of merchandise for the home in an interactive and shoppable studio space. In addition, he will also be available for private consultations and design services.
“I find myself drawn to the way we experience space and, more specifically…the elements that can elevate that experience,” he notes. “I hope to connect further with the community as well as enable more accessibility to clients in Westchester County.”
To learn more about Ryan Matthew Interiors, visit the brand’s website.
