The Art of Timeless Interiors with Michelle Waugh
- Jul 30
- 4 min read
We sat down with Michelle Waugh, founder of Michelle Waugh Interiors, a Greenwich, Connecticut-based design studio known for its quiet distinction, spaces shaped by natural materials, and a timeless sense of ease. Trained in fashion before turning to interiors, Michelle brings a layered, considered eye to every project, favoring rooms that feel collected over time rather than styled all at once. Here, she talks through her approach to design, the philosophy behind her work, and what timeless really means to her.
Michelle Waugh (photo credit: Emily Andrews)
1. You’ve built a career around creating things that are both beautiful and enduring. How has your definition of luxury evolved over the years?
Luxury has become much less about excess and much more about intention. Earlier in my career I was captivated by beautiful objects and statement pieces. Today, I think true luxury is creating a home that feels deeply personal, timeless, and effortless to live in. It is about exceptional craftsmanship, natural materials that age beautifully, and spaces that evoke a feeling the moment you walk through the door. The greatest luxury is a home that allows you to slow down, connect with your family, and truly enjoy everyday life. I’m in the process of building our family home from the ground up and I keep going back to intention and a place of refuge as the ultimate luxurious experience.
Image by Emily Andrews
2. Your background in fashion is well known, but what lessons from that industry continue to influence how you approach interior design today?
Fashion taught me that proportion, balance, and restraint are everything. Whether you’re designing a coat or a home, every detail matters, and every element should have a purpose. My years designing collections also taught me how to tell a story. I approach every home the same way. Rather than following trends, I focus on creating something authentic to the client that will feel just as beautiful ten or twenty years from now as it does today.
3. When you’re beginning a new project, what typically serves as your starting point? Is it the architecture, the client, a particular material, or something less tangible?
It always begins with the client. I spend a great deal of time understanding how they live, what brings them joy, how they entertain, and how they want to feel in their home. Beautiful design is never just about aesthetics. It has to support the way a family actually lives. From there, the architecture naturally guides the design, and then the materials, textures, and details begin to unfold in a way that feels cohesive and authentic. With that being said I’ve designed an entire living room solely off of this beautiful stone slab I found for the fireplace surround. Something one material or object can dictate and pull the entire space together.
4. Designing your own family home is a uniquely personal experience. How has that process influenced the way you think about designing for clients?
Designing our own home has given me an even deeper appreciation for the emotional side of the process. Every decision feels significant because you’re creating the backdrop for your family’s memories. It has reminded me how overwhelming building a home can be, even as a designer. That experience has made me even more empathetic with my clients and even more committed to making the process feel enjoyable, collaborative, and exciting rather than stressful. I want every client to feel supported from beginning to end.
5. When you’re not designing, where do you find inspiration, whether through travel, art, nature, or simply everyday life?
Travel has always been my greatest source of inspiration. I love experiencing the architecture, craftsmanship, and culture of different places, whether it’s a quiet boutique hotel in Japan, an old stone villa in Italy, or a beautifully designed home tucked away somewhere unexpected. Nature also plays a huge role in my work. I find myself constantly drawn to organic textures, natural light, and earthy materials. Some of my best ideas come from simply slowing down, observing, and appreciating the beauty in everyday moments. I’m a “noticer” and a big feeler. Travel and slowing down allows me to really tap into that.
6. Looking ahead, what excites you most, not only for Michelle Waugh Interiors, but for the future of residential design as a whole?
I’m excited about continuing to build Michelle Waugh Interiors into a studio known for thoughtful, timeless homes that truly stand the test of time. My goal has never been to chase trends but to create homes that become more beautiful with every passing year. More broadly, I think residential design is moving in a wonderful direction. People are placing greater value on quality over quantity, craftsmanship over mass production, and homes that genuinely enhance their lives. There’s a growing appreciation for authenticity and spaces that feel deeply personal. I believe that’s where the future of luxury lies, and it’s exactly the kind of work I’m passionate about creating.
