Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Danny Russo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Danny, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.
Absolutely! One of the things that sets my brand apart is how we blend boldness with accessibility. In the design world, especially in high-end interiors, there’s often this unspoken rule that luxury means being untouchable or overly formal. I wanted to break away from that idea.
When I work with clients, I’m not just creating spaces that look good in photos; I’m designing environments that people want to live in, feel comfortable in, and express themselves through. My approach is rooted in the belief that luxury can—and should—be livable. I mix cutting-edge, bold aesthetics with functionality that fits real life, not just a showroom.
There was a particular project where this really came to life. A client came to me asking for a ‘wow’ factor in their living room but was hesitant about going too far with bold choices. Instead of falling back on safe options, I encouraged them to take a leap with vibrant textures and unexpected color combinations. When they saw the finished space, they were blown away—not just by how it looked but by how it made them feel. It wasn’t just a room; it was an experience.
This difference matters because design is so much more than how something looks—it’s about how a space makes you feel, how it interacts with your life, and how it tells your story. We’re not here to follow the standard. We’re here to push boundaries in ways that still make sense for how people actually live. That’s the heart of what I do.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m Danny Russo, an interior designer based in Columbus, Ohio, but my work takes me across the country and beyond. I’ve always had a passion for transforming spaces, but my journey into the world of design wasn’t the traditional route. It wasn’t something I studied in school; it was something I lived, breathed, and fell in love with through hands-on experience and an obsession with style and aesthetics.
My design journey really kicked off when I started helping friends and family redesign their spaces. I realized I had an eye for detail and a talent for balancing bold, daring design with comfort and functionality. Over time, that evolved into a business where I could take that vision and apply it on a larger scale.
In terms of what I offer, my firm provides full-service interior design—from concept to completion. I specialize in high-end residential design, but I also take on select commercial projects where creativity and innovation are at the forefront. I work closely with my clients to not only understand their aesthetic goals but also how they live in and interact with their spaces. Whether it’s a total home overhaul or updating a single room, every project gets a personalized touch.
One of the biggest problems I solve for my clients is overcoming the fear of taking risks in design. Many people want a standout space but are afraid to step outside their comfort zone. That’s where I come in. I push the boundaries of what’s expected, introducing bold colors, textures, and finishes that clients might not have considered, but always with a practical edge. I want their space to be a true reflection of their personality while still being livable and functional.
What sets me apart from others in the industry is my ability to create a balance between avant-garde, cutting-edge design and comfort. Many designers go for “safe,” but I thrive on pushing limits—taking the unexpected and making it feel right at home. I’m known for mixing unique, often bold, elements in a way that’s still approachable.
I’m most proud of how my brand has grown organically through word of mouth and relationships. I haven’t just built a portfolio of projects—I’ve built a community of clients who trust me to push their vision further than they thought possible. What I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know is that my design philosophy centers around creating spaces that are just as dynamic as the people who live in them. Whether we’re designing a single room or an entire house, I’m here to make sure the result is something memorable, functional, and uniquely you.
At the end of the day, my work is about more than just making things look good. It’s about crafting environments that people want to live in, be inspired by, and truly love coming home to. That’s what motivates me every day.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
A story that illustrates my resilience and a story that really stands out from my journey is about a project where I faced serious resistance—not from the client, but from the general expectations of the space. It was a high-profile residential project, and the client wanted something bold and unique but was stuck on what they thought was “acceptable” for the type of house they owned. It was a large, traditional home, and they were under a lot of pressure from their social circle to stick with a more classic, safe design.
They came to me knowing my work tends to push boundaries, but they were nervous. They kept pulling back toward neutral palettes, soft textures, and traditional layouts—everything they thought their home was “supposed” to have. But deep down, I could see they wanted more.
So, I presented an alternative. I told them that design is about how a space makes you feel, not just what it looks like. I proposed bold colors, unexpected artwork, and a reimagined layout that would honor the traditional architecture but infuse it with personality and energy. There was definite resistance at first, but I believed in my vision. I could see the hesitation in their eyes, but I also saw excitement—it was a tug-of-war between playing it safe and taking a leap.
I assured them that good design challenges the norm, and that stepping outside of their comfort zone could result in a space they’d not only love but be proud of. We pushed through that resistance together, and when the project was done, it was everything they had secretly hoped for but never thought they could pull off.
They had originally wanted a home that would fit in with the neighborhood, but what we ended up with was a home that stood out in the best possible way. They often tell me now how happy they are that we didn’t follow the expected path, and how their home feels more like a reflection of who they truly are.
That project taught me that resistance is often fear of the unknown, and as a designer, my role is to help people see past that fear and step into a space they didn’t even know they needed. It’s not about designing for the sake of being bold—it’s about designing for the sake of creating something authentic, something that resonates with the person living in it. That’s what I do best.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
During the pandemic, I pivoted so much that I felt like I was doing pirouettes like a ballerina—it was a dizzying few years of recovery. Still, I came out of it stronger and more adaptable than ever. The early days were full of uncertainty, with supply chains disrupted, clients unsure of how to proceed, and even showrooms shutting down. It felt like the world of interior design had been turned upside down, and I had to rethink everything about how I worked, how I connected with clients, and how to keep projects moving forward.
Instead of letting those challenges stall progress, I embraced the need to pivot—and boy, did I pivot! I began working more closely with local artisans and craftspeople, tapping into the talent right here in Ohio. When global supply chains failed, I found myself sourcing from small, local businesses, repurposing existing pieces, and focusing more on sustainable, innovative design solutions. What started as a necessity actually turned into an incredible opportunity to think outside the box and create something unique.
I also had to shift to virtual design consultations, which was a major adjustment. Interior design is such a personal, tactile experience—seeing materials in person, feeling the textures, and being physically in the space are key elements of the process. Doing that all through a screen was like learning a whole new language. But I embraced it. I found new ways to communicate color, texture, and layout through Zoom, which opened up a whole new world of possibilities. I started working with clients who were out of state, something I might not have considered before, and it expanded my reach in ways I hadn’t anticipated.
One of the most memorable projects during that time involved a client who had their heart set on custom furniture that became impossible to source due to pandemic delays. They were understandably upset, but instead of letting the project fall apart, we found new ways to get creative. We repurposed some of their existing pieces, gave them a fresh, modern touch, and even sourced sustainable materials from local suppliers. What could have been a design disaster turned into one of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on. The client ended up loving the fact that their space had an element of resilience and ingenuity woven into it.
It was a whirlwind, and at times, it felt like I was spinning in circles, but in the end, it taught me to be nimble and resourceful and to look at challenges as opportunities for innovation. I may have been doing pirouettes for a while there, but those spins helped me discover new ways of doing what I love. And though the recovery was dizzying, it solidified my belief that great design doesn’t just survive tough times—it evolves and becomes even stronger because of them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.danielhome.com
- Instagram: @dannyrusso @danielrussohome
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dannyrusso
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/public-profile/settings?trk=d_flagship3_profile_self_view_public_profile
- Twitter: @dannyrusso
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thedannyrusso
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-355376288?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
- Other: Podcast: The Design Exchange
