We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Roberta Murray. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Roberta below.

Roberta, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard

Studio r is an intimate Design firm that specializes in collaborating with the Clients to create a space of their own that defines the Clients lifestyle. Roberta Murray, Principal Designer is proud to have the title of Interior Architect and was trained under many great Architects including her late brother William Murray. This being said Studio r is capable and includes many services depending on the project – not just Interior Design and Decorating but Interior Architecture, Architecture and Landscape Architecture. Studio r is multi layered creating multifaceted, experiential residential and commercial designs. Creating timeless luxurious atmospheres that are also relaxed and livable spaces with combination of different materials and patterns that have character. Our projects grow and become an overall collaboration with our clients to achieve even more than the home or business they envisioned. Roberta has been blessed to work through word of mouth for the last 25 years and has become like part of the family with many clients, getting referrals through multiple members and coworkers of client’s families.

Roberta, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Studio r was established in 1999, Los Angeles, CA. Before starting the firm, Principal Interior Architect, Roberta Murray studied Interior Architecture at Woodbury University in Burbank, CA and worked at Chambers and Murray Architecture and Interior Design (her brother’s company) while studying, graduated in 1998. Started Studio r to be able to develop homes or businesses for people that bring out their true personality or passion, not just the current popular way of doing things for the Designer but designing a truly custom space for the intended client.
Understanding the business or family that will be using the space. Roberta has the ability to understand the needs of her client and the designer is said to possess a true passion for design. She has become a popular choice because of the designer’s reputation for developing proportioned interiors that are tailored with strong silhouettes and sophisticated color palettes that result in luxurious warm livable homes. Sole Principal of the firm and now single mom of 2 but is extremely hands on including developing full construction documents with material details and overseeing construction on job sites. Roberta takes great pride in her work and follows through to see the design details come to life. Always envisioning the family or client that is going to live there or potential of what the future family would want in the space to live happy and successful in that location.
Studio r provides a refined and sophisticated custom design specifically for the client’s lifestyle creating an aesthetically pleasing environment with a radiant timeless atmosphere that will not be duplicated at any other of the Designers projects.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

Studio r truly started as a side hustle that took many years to fully start to bloom. Roberta worked for an Architect in Santa Monica starting the Interior Design division for that small company, inspired and educated by seeing a successful happy Architect building homes all throughout Santa Monica and Malibu. Started to get small referrals for Interiors or small additions from friends and family while gaining confidence from the experiences of working alongside established Architects. Even as projects were coming in and growing larger it was not enough to completely jump out to be a full-time business, so Roberta was working nights and weekends continuing to work for other firms. Moved onto a well-known Architectural Firm in Beverly Hills and quickly grew within the business amongst the clients and received gracious recognition which then became project referrals. The work started speaking for itself and word spread. Reputation for beautiful design, paying attention to detail but also affordable honest pricing. Studio r came to life fully because Clients trust Roberta’s eye to create inviting interiors and capability to design with a broad range of styles.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Roberta chose to do mainly residential Interior Architecture because it is a personal one on one experience. This is a business that you actually spend time getting to know your customers. This business is creating spaces and picking out materials for a house that becomes your client’s home for hopefully many years down the line. Creating a timeless atmosphere for the Owners family to live and entertain. Being in a business that is so personal the Client and Designer need to get along and Roberta needs to be able to communicate and develop the vision of what the client has in their mind. At times it can become chaotic, and you might find yourself becoming a marriage counselor while designing a Primary closet or reviewing a project budget but it is all in the balance of things. The challenges usually develop into the best master pieces. Listening and working with the Client is the key. Communicating with them regarding what might work better whether it is in regard to the materials or finding something that would work better for the budget. As a Designer who wants to create the ideal space for each project it is so important to know the personality of the client, how they want to use that particular space, know the surrounding environment or history. It is so rewarding to have a client walk into a space and declare their happiness and that it surpasses their expectations. Studio r tries very hard to make sure that each project receives the attention that is necessary to accomplish the overall vision. Take time for the project but also the client – making sure they feel comfortable with the decisions or understand the process. Some residential projects depending on the size can take years to complete and Roberta takes great pride in the relationships that are created with the Clients and also the Sub Contractors from each job site. You are working alongside these people and seeing them weekly or at times daily and everyone on each site deserves respect. These relationships are what carry you onto the next – each project family will refer you for years to come. Studio r has been fortunate to continue working with the same clients or contractors over long periods of time and the clients returning for the next house or next business creating circles of long history with the same person or families. Now that we are going into our 25 years of business we are even starting to see the cycle of the next generation calling us for their first homes. It is an exciting business to be in, constantly growing and changing. Studio r focuses on making spaces radiant and keeping clients happy, solving any issues that may occur so that you have a successful project and your clientele keeps growing with each piece of work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.studiorhome.com
• Instagram: @studiorhome
• Facebook: Studio r
• Youtube: @RobertaMurray-x60
• Other: https://robertamurray.houzz.com

Image Credits

Hugo Garcia