A DESIGNER to WATCH
Versatile, bold, and refusing to be boxed into one style or aesthetic, Michelle Palmer Murphy of DEMI RYAN is a designer to watch. Originally from New Jersey and now based in Chapel Hill, NC, Michelle is branching out across the United States, and her work is getting national recognition.
Named a 2022 Rising Star of Design by the Decoration & Design Building in NYC, Michelle has a multilayering approach and creates spaces unlike any other. She started 2023 off with a bang, designing a table for the Orchid Dinner at the Plaza Hotel in New York City, and then hosted a top-tier realtor design and brunch event in Charleston. Before year-end, Michelle Palmer Murphy was a Nominee and Finalist for HGTV®’s 2023 Designer of the Year Award.
The perfect balance of style, beauty, tradition, and panache, Michelle’s eye for design is impeccable. With a diverse portfolio that includes new builds, celebrity clientele, and projects with ties to her favorite charities, her talent is a gift to the interior design world.
Michelle's expertise lies in remodels, where she finds joy in taking something old and making it new. Her journey from Cherry Hill, NJ, to Philadelphia, Manhattan, and eventually Chapel Hill, NC, influences her design choices, evident in her bold color and pattern selections and the layered fusion of different design styles.
Her career path wasn't entirely direct, as she initially pursued art school against her father's business-oriented advice, During her time at Moore College she ultimately found her passion in interior design. Inspired by her upbringing around aesthetic experiences at her mom's nonprofit art gallery, Michelle finds inspiration everywhere and from everyone. She combines creativity, spatial awareness, and expertise in color, texture, and functionality to transform spaces, reflecting her clients' personalities through a multi-layered design approach while enhancing their lifestyles.
Her ethos, "your home is your reflection," guides her professionally, emphasizing the importance of creating spaces that resonate with her clients personally.
Her greatest learning experience in design came from facing challenging projects and clients, which taught her valuable lessons in collaboration, innovation, and perseverance. Looking ahead, Michelle aims to sustain and grow her design firm's reputation, expand her clientele, and continue positively impacting her community through design while finding joy in every endeavor.
With the support of her DEMI RYAN team, Michelle brings the whole package: approachability, extensive knowledge, experience in showhouses and events, and high professional regard. She cultivates industry relationships and stays at the forefront of design trends, ensuring her continued success in the dynamic world of interior design.
DEMI RYAN HOMES
DEMI RYAN helps clients trade stress for inspiration and excitement. The firm provides full scale luxury residential and select commercial interior design services including envisioning, planning, project management, construction/installation/integration, finishing, and styling. Premium materials and furnishings are expertly selected, purchased, and installed by designers who care deeply about both the client experience and the project results.
DEMI RYAN creates interior designs that celebrate the people within the space, through ultra-personalized, deep luxe design. The studio team is passionate about luxury design that reflects the unique personalities, spirits, and connections within a family. Some spaces are as rebellious as they are luxurious, while others are peaceful spa-like sanctuaries; the perfect energy always arises through collaboration with the client and expertly planned details.
Every DEMI RYAN home combines high personalization with the best of interior design. The materials, furnishings and finishes are artfully combined to promote happiness and comfort in everyday living. Intentional design components facilitate a positive energy flow to support emotional, social, and functional wellbeing.
The expectation for every DEMI RYAN home is that the people within it will love coming home to a place that reflects who they are, when they are feeling full of life, and at their very best.
THE NAME
DEMI RYAN grew from the heart of its founder, Michelle Palmer Murphy.
The name is quite literally a reflection of who Michelle is, and what she loves the most — her family.
“DE” is for her husband, Dennis.
“MI” is for Michelle.
And their son, Ryan, completes the name.
