For interior designer Brad Ramsey, founder of the eponymous Nashville–based design firm, there’s no such thing as a typical day. “One day, I might be in the office glued to my computer doing research, design, and selections,” says Ramsey. “And, the next, I might be on a construction site making decisions or making alterations and clarifications to a design plan. As a boss, I also handle reviews and accounting conversations to keep things running smoothly. I have to be able to multitask and pivot as needed while trying to remain steady and consistent through the ups and downs of being a small business.”
Ramsey—who has made a name for himself with light-filled, sophisticated, and inspiring residential interiors—was recently named one of this year’s Next Wave designers by House Beautiful. Here, he looks back on his design journey, including a 13-episode stint on HGTV, and offers some design tips.
Thanks for taking time to talk to SHLTR. Tell us about your start in design.
BR: “I grew up in the suburbs of Atlanta and went to University of Georgia after graduation. I initially started as a landscape architecture major and then changed to studio art. I would eventually transfer to Belmont University in Nashville as a music major with a minor in Studio Art. Landing in interior design was something that happened in my early 30s after a few different career pursuits. I started as a project manager at a firm and eventually moved up to be a junior designer, I launched out on my own after five years and started my own studio that I have had now for over 11 years.”
Did you always know you wanted to be a designer?
BR: “I think I was always meant to be a designer; I just didn’t know it. As a natural graphic artist, I used to doodle house plans and furniture layouts on the sides of my notebooks in school. I even thought about going to college for architecture, but I didn’t connect with the idea of doing foundation and structural plans … I thought that interior design was just decorating with furniture and fabrics. So, I was uninformed that I could find a successful career doing design that included interior architecture and all of the interior details that I love about design.”
Tell us about first big break in design.
BR: “I worked for five years at a design firm where I started as a project manager and, like a sponge, I soaked up as much knowledge as I could by shadowing the principal designer and learning from his process: both what to do, and what not to do. We even had a 13-week show on HGTV chronicling our work on homes in Nashville. It was a huge five-year stint in my career that changed the trajectory of my life.”
Dream collaboration?
BR: “There are so many architects, builders, and brands in our field that I would be honored to collaborate with. I am mostly inspired by attention to detail, quality materials, and artisan finishes. I look forward to every new project and the inevitable collaborations that come as a result.”
Top design sources?
BR: “Vanguard Furniture, Hickory Chair, and Palecek for quality staple pieces in a home. 1stDibs for one-of-a-kind finds.”
Your favorite escapes?
BR: “I love to travel. I love to eat. And I love absorbing different architecture and design. There are more than ten state parks with waterfalls and hiking within a short distance from Nashville, so I love any opportunity to take my dog and get out in nature. I also have a crush on Chicago—when the weather is warm enough for this Southerner. It’s one of the most beautiful cities in the country.”
Go-to design restaurants and hotels?
BR: “Nashville has an amazing culinary scene, so I love trying new restaurants or supporting long-standing classics like City House and Lockeland Table. Audrey Nashville by Sean Brock for amazing food and inspiring interiors. The New York Edition for well-appointed, handsome details. Pendry Hotel Chicago for classic sophistication. And, Top of The Mark in San Francisco for an amazing Vesper and incredible views.”
Describe some of your most memorable projects.
BR: “My first project in Alys Beach, Florida, was memorable not only because it was a bright and soft beach home for a family of seven, but also because it opened the door for me to do four more projects in the area over the years. I also completed a huge gut and remodel on a gorgeous lake in Tennessee that later landed my first national magazine spread. The house was not only beautiful, but it became a place of refuge for the family we designed it for since they suffered a tragic loss during the build. We took the reins and finished the house with as much intuition and heart as we could, while they bowed out of the design conversations to focus on mourning and healing.”
Your design philosophy?
BR: “Listen with intent. Lead with intuition. Design with heart.”
What are you working on now?
BR: “We are in the middle of two massive remodel projects that we have gutted and reimagined with new life. One should wrap up at the end of the year, and the other next spring. We are also about to break ground on three custom builds: one next month, one early next year, and the other we are just wrapping up architectural edits. I have a feeling we’ll remain pretty busy through 2026 giving the proper attention to each of these amazing projects.”
Ramsey’s No-Fail Design Hack
LOOK AROUND
“There is inspiration to be found everywhere. Pull together a bunch of images that inspire you and try to find what connects the images that you are drawn to. Is it the colors, the materials, or the overall feel? When you find the ‘through line,’ start there and then build on that with selections that you love. But go back to that initial connection point and make sure the choices you are making don’t deviate too much. You can still infuse different feelings throughout a house (like a dramatic powder room, or a calm, serene family room) and it will be cohesive if there is a clear foundation that you connect with.”
