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RYAN SAGHIAN
EARNING HIS STRIPES IN THE WORLD OF INTERIOR DESIGN
| BY HELÉNE RAMACKERS
Despite his youthful looks, Ryan Saghian has many years of experience in the intricacies of what makes a home an amazing abode. Having worked his way up as an intern at the age of 15, his knowledge and design prowess sees him earning his stripes in the world of interior design, heading up his eponymous firm, Ryan Saghian. Ryan, tell us a bit about yourself. I was born and raised in Los Angeles by Iranian immigrants who left after the Iranian revolution of 1979. My father is an architect and my mother a homemaker. They are both my biggest cheerleaders! I found my passion for interiors very early on and began interning for Ron Woodson and Jaime Rummerfield of Woodson & Rummerfield’s House of Design when I was 15. I was committed to stay with them throughout high school. I wanted to learn as much as possible. After my first year of college at the Art Institute of California, I moved up to design assistant and project manager. I had never felt fully accepted before. In high school, I’d always felt out of place. Ron and Jaime got me and understood me, and they saved me in more ways than one. I then launched my own firm out of my parents’ garage when I was 21. Over the last 7 years I have built what many are calling a ‘design empire.’ I am so grateful for my career and daily doing what I am deeply passionate about. In 2016, I opened a flagship showroom, Ryan Saghian Home, at Robertson and Third in Los Angeles, and have since introduced several home collections. Did you have an influence in your youth that shaped your career path? My maternal grandfather had an immense impact on my work ethic and hustle. He was one of the hardest working people I have ever come across. Jaime Rummerfield, my mentor and employer for the first 6 years of my career, was one of my greatest influences. She shared a passion and love for the industry that to this day I haven’t seen matched by anyone else.
32 | UPSCALE LIVING MAGAZINE | SPRING 2021
You founded your firm Ryan Saghian at the age of 21. Now at 28 years old, what are the advantages and pitfalls of starting out so young? The biggest advantage is the major head start and justifiable mistakes. The pitfalls of starting out so young is earning peoples’ respect. In an industry where years of experience are expected, it was, and at times still is, very difficult to earn your stripes. What and who inspires you? Everything and anything. I know that sounds kind of cliché, but I can be inspired by a piece of art, a building, my cultural background, or even a song. I pull inspiration from everything around me. Do you have a signature style when it comes to interior design for clients? I call it a signature formula. Elegant, glamorous, and layered with a bit of edge. When working with clients, how do you persuade them to see your vision without it coming across as if it’s your idea? Ultimately, it’s always a collaborative process, but it’s always filtered through my creative lens. That is what they come to me for. What are / have been your biggest challenges in your career? Proving to people that my age does not determine my talent and pushing boundaries for the next generation. Important lessons along the way? Love people and stand beside them. The favorite part of your job? The schematic design phase. This is where I let my imagination run wild!
