Michelle Murphy, founder of design firm Demi Ryan, specializes in designing for celebrity clientele, and she crafts environments that embody their personality and aspirations. From Manhattan to Chapel Hill, she has mastered the art of working with celebrities, athletes and affluent homeowners, while navigating the unique challenges of her niche. From starting fresh out of art school to designing 24,000-square-foot estates, Murphy offers a glimpse into the fast-paced, detail-driven world of luxury interior design on our recent From the Tap podcast.
A Bold Entrance into the Industry
“I started my career as the director of an art gallery in Manhattan, where I met two designers from London working on an HGTV show house,” says Murphy. “They wanted to borrow sculptures, and I insisted on delivering them myself. That connection eventually landed me the opportunity to design a wine cellar for a prominent show house chaired by Vanessa Williams.”
Michelle’s work immediately caught the attention of prominent New York designers and high-caliber clients, giving her the springboard she needed to launch her design business.
From the outset, Michelle knew her focus would be on designing for million-dollar homes. For her, the rationale was simple yet strategic. “By catering to high-end homes, I could scale the business more effectively and deliver a higher level of creativity and service,” she explains.
Delivering Luxury Under Pressure
Working with high-profile clients comes with its own set of expectations and challenges. Murphy highlights two key factors that distinguish these projects from others: privacy and time sensitivity. Listen to the full podcast to learn more about these two factors, and the designer shares some anecdotes as well.
Building a Brand Through Connection
Unique among her peers, Michelle’s firm, Demi Ryan, relies exclusively on word-of-mouth referrals. Despite working on projects across the country, she has deliberately avoided traditional advertising.
“For high-profile clients, personal recommendations build trust far better than advertisements,” she explains. “I built my base by connecting with people through show houses and delivering stellar results.”
Takeaways for Aspiring Designers
For those dreaming of a career in luxury design, Murphy’s key advice is to combine creative talent with business savvy. In the podcast, she goes into detail on understanding your niche, how to strategically network, how to be flexible with each project and how to develop business acumen for attracting the celebrity and/or high-end client
To learn more, listen to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora and other outlets.
