A Conversation on Craft

Designer Brad Ramsey’s subtle demeanor is as inviting as his beautiful interiors. The calmness in his voice makes you feel immediately relaxed and at home. We could listen to him talk about design all day. For more about Ramsey’s work, you can read our feature stories about his projects in Cambria Style magazine; and keep reading for a few highlights from our recent conversation with him.

What is your approach to layering elements so a home evolves into something deeply considered?

Pay attention to layering colors, layering textures, and layering new and old together, so that a room feels collected, considered, and evolved over time—not like we just went out and bought a bunch of new things.

How do you determine which details truly matter, and how do you ensure they elevate rather than overwhelm a space?

I equate it to music. If every player in the band was playing like it was their solo, it would just be a cacophony of noise. Sometimes you start thinking the sofa will be the lead then you fall in love with the coffee table instead. You have to start somewhere, but be willing to let that evolve. Then choose secondary materials that are quiet and cohesive so they support that focal point. If it’s an olive green velvet sofa in the living room, the other materials should let that be the star.

What mindset or preparation should homeowners bring to a new design project?

Do your homework and pull inspiration images together. There are 10,000 different directions we can take a design, and those images give us a visual vocabulary that a lot of times people can’t put into words. Maybe you don’t like the whole room, but you love the light fixture or the color palette or the layout. Those things give us ingredients to work from instead of a blank slate.

What’s one design principle that consistently defines a successful space?

There should be a flow through the home. Cohesive doesn’t mean everything is the same—it means the colors and materials all work together. We may lean into richer, darker tones in one room and lighter ones in another, but as you travel through the house, there’s a consistency to the undertones.  

When selecting materials for your projects, what leads you to specify Cambria for quartz countertops, and how does its performance, design range, and overall aesthetic support your work?

It’s the quality of the material, how it’s made, and the functionality it provides. As soon as a client says they want something indestructible, I know we’re doing quartz, and if we want the highest quality, we’re going to lean into Cambria. It worked especially well on this project because the kitchen and laundry room are the two hardest-working spaces in the house. Those are places where there are wine, bleach, and other everyday challenges, so we wanted a product we knew would stand up to it.

There was a time when Cambria meant big, bold patterns, but now they offer subtle and textured options, too. You can stay with a company you trust while choosing a look that fits the project. The range lets us go bold, subtle, or textured while still getting the durability clients want.

What design “rule” do you love to break?

I love that we are in a world now where there aren’t rules. Not being tethered to “Shouldn’t we do it this way?” means all creative possibilities are on the table.

What’s the quickest way to elevate a room?

A beautiful flower arrangement—when you walk in, it instantly feels like there’s life in it. Or a candle burning in the powder room. It’s not about changing the physical house, it’s about bringing another layer of beauty.

What are you obsessed with right now?

This is going to sound cheesy, but I’m obsessed with the story of our clients: how they live, who they are, and what we’re creating. It’s the reason I’m passionate about what we do. I love to have the inspiration of the client, it’s what unlocks my creativity. I get to dream about how they’re going to live in the space.