Warm, timeless, relatable: these are the words Abbe Murray would use to describe her work. As the owner of Carbondale’s newest interior design studio, Murray Design Company, she serves a varied clientele of second (or third) homeowners and full-time local residents who seek spaces in which they can actually live.
“Most people come to me with an idea,” Murray reveals. “And I love the challenge of rounding out their vision. I wouldn’t say I have a specific ‘style’ at all, I’m more of a chameleon—I enjoy working with a variety of design styles—but I do want to make spaces livable. A home interior should feel like a special collection, not like walking into the lobby of a hotel.”
Raised in a small town in southeast Iowa, Murray studied at Iowa State University (a nationally-ranked interior design school) and later took an internship in Las Vegas. Working in Vegas was a formative experience for the young designer, and she wanted to continue spreading her wings in the West. Murray began applying for positions around Colorado—where she knew she'd love the mountain lifestyle. She landed a job with an architecture firm in Aspen, relocated to the valley, and never looked back.
Today, she is working for herself—and keeping quite busy. Murray recently opened a new office on Main Street in Carbondale, juggling the demands of small business ownership while working with her expanding list of clients. One of her favorite recent projects was designing a Basalt home with owners who wanted to embrace the latest trend in interiors: color. Lots of it. In her own words, Murray shared with Roaring Fork what she loved most about this home:
Vibrancy
"This is such a happy home, a reflection of the lifestyle and personality of the vibrant family who lives here. The main living space is a central core of the overall footprint of the home, a full-gut remodel with architecture and interiors by 2757 design x build co., and building by Hayes Construction. The furniture and soft goods I curated to complement and showcase the owner-commissioned Flying over Aspen piece by London-based artist Hormazd Narielwalla. Even with the soaring ceilings and loads of natural light, there is still a coziness you immediately feel when you walk in this room."
Custom Details
"The kitchen and architectural slat walls were a collaboration between the design-minded owners and architects. They created a floor plan perfect for entertaining. The expandable dining table and chairs were selected as an intentional visual pause to let the architectural details shine. A custom Bocci chandelier becomes a showpiece; pulling together colors from all corners of the home. My first boss and mentor taught me that every room needs a stripe and a touch of green. Check, check."
High Impact Color
"Don't forget about the guest room! This client understood that every room contributes to the overall warmth of the design and didn't skimp on style for their guests. We color blocked with a saturated, jewel toned rug and mixed in small-but-mighty, high impact pieces like custom pillows and this playful bud vase. The bold components shine against the background of gallery-style walls, simple wood flooring, and serene textural bedding."
Good Bones
"When you can't put your finger on what makes a good design, turn to the building blocks: layering texture and pattern, composition, negative space, and contrast. My parents were civil engineers, and my brother an architect. Whether these principles were ingrained from a young age or learned, they remain critical as my design aesthetic has evolved."
Statement Pieces
"If you’re still stuck on how to pull colors together, try starting with a statement piece you love, such as a colorful pillow or painting. Identify three or four colors to repeat throughout the room in various ways. Wallpaper, dried florals, books, lamps, drapes, and bedding are all interesting ways to bring more vibrancy to a neutral space. Look for inspiration all around you: in nature, art galleries, and magazines. If you love the result, you’ve done it right."
