Name:Kevie Murphy
Company:K.A. Murphy Interiors
Position within company:Principal Designer & Creative Director
Website: https://www.kamurphyinteriors.com/
Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc)
I took the scenic route to interior design. I started my career as a New York City based lawyer, had four kids, and then decided to pivot hard-straight into the New York School of Interior Design.
The real turning point was when we moved from Brooklyn Heights to Manhasset into a home that needed a complete makeover. So I rolled up my (new designer) sleeves and renovated the whole home. Fast-forward to now: I lead a team of six amazing women, and together we take on full-scale residential projects from Manhattan to the Hamptons-wherever greatness calls we answer!
How would you describe your personal design style?
Personally I’m all about color, pattern play, and big, bright, bold choices. My own home has blue doors, black and white tile, and so many prints and patterns—because design should be fun. But our firm is really about whatever our client wants. People are always surprised when they see the crisp and clean spaces we can create—and then visit my house and think, “Wait, you live here?” But that’s the magic of good design: it’s not one-size-fits-all. It’s versatile, expressive, and always tailored to the people it is created for. I am proud of this lack of design style.
Where does your design inspiration come from?
Travel, always. I’m obsessed with color, texture, and all things pattern—so places like India, Morocco, Spain, Paris, and pretty much anywhere tropical light me up. I’m constantly inspired by global design—hand-painted tiles, vibrant textiles, intricate architecture, the way color shows up boldly and unapologetically.
What was your favourite project to work on and why?
One of my favorite projects to date has to be our “Gold Coast Redux” project. Our clients came to us ready for a vibrant, meaningful refresh as they entered a new chapter with an almost empty nest. At first, they were a bit guarded—but once they saw the vision coming together, they gave us full creative freedom and that’s when the magic happened.
Their style was whimsical yet refined, so we designed a home full of bold color, playful details, and clean, modern lines. We did a surfboard feature wall using heirloom boards shaped by the client’s father (a celebrated Australian surfboard maker!) and a coffee bar topped with a Jurassic-era fish fossil countertop. It was the perfect balance of trust, collaboration, and creativity—an incredibly rewarding project and one that truly reflects what we love to do.
What was your most challenging project to work on and why?
Without a doubt, my most challenging project was after a pipe burst and quietly flooded our beach house. I had no choice but to dive headfirst into a full, down to the studs, renovation. It was overwhelming because it was a second chance to get the design right.
Which products/services could you not live without when designing?
Kyle Bunting is a favorite—his customizable hair-on-hide rugs are just fun. They’re bold, beautifully made, and let us pull in personalized color in a way that feels totally unexpected. It’s an instant wow moment. Pierre Frey is a forever favorite and go-to. We’d be lost without our installer, John Fasano, owner of JSN Painting. We have worked with him forever and he makes sure every detail lands exactly how it should. He is a perfectionist and that works just perfectly for us!
