Christina Roughan, founder and principal of Roughan Interiors based in Weston and New York City, believes that every person’s life story could be a hit movie if you take the time to hear about it. And, she should know. Working closely with homeowners of all tastes and backgrounds, including celebrity clients, Roughan is not just in the design business but in the people business.
Chatting with the designer, who was nominated for a Connecticut IDA Award last year, it soon becomes clear that her story could make the best film of all. A young woman moves to the city in the 1990s not knowing a soul, gets her break working with huge fashion names, and rises to become an award-winning interior designer with her own firm. Oh, and starts a popular New York City band along the way.
Intrigued? That’s just a snippet of Roughan‘s biography so far. We recently sat down with the charming, creative, and dynamic woman behind Roughan Interiors so you can get to know her in her own words.
You have had such a fascinating career, from working for iconic brands like Polo Ralph Lauren to designing celebrity homes. But, going back to the start, tell us a bit about your background and upbringing. How has your personal history shaped who you are today and your passion for design?
I am originally from Worcester, Massachusetts. My father an artist/insurance salesman and my mother a dancer/homemaker. Growing up, neighborhood friends and I were always running to each other’s home to watch Donny & Marie, Love Boat, and Captain & Tennille. We loved the clothing, singing, set designs performances, and our little community. It captivated our creativity and we turned into entertainers by organizing and performing in our neighborhood variety shows.
We were not shy of performing or set decoration as we would perform songs, comedy skits, and dance routines for our parents and siblings. Our stage was the top of our picnic table and old remnant drapery covered the posts we casually added to either side as stage drapes. Old clothing was turned into costumes and left-over outdoor furniture and flower pots into stage props. It was the ’70s and we made our own fun with our hands and God-given gifts.
What made you want to move to New York City and what was that experience like in the ‘90s?
Early on I remember wanting to be a part of the world of fashion as I was a dreamer. Every Saturday I was glued to the TV watching Style with Elsa Klench and would flip through my Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, and Interview Magazines. It became my obsession and I knew that I would move to NYC to work in the industry.
My parents and grandmother dropped me at the Catherine House on Nov 3rd, 1991 just out of college and not knowing anyone in the city. Catherine House was located at 118 West 13th Street in the West Village and was run by The Ladies Christian Union, a non-profit founded in 1910 that promoted affordable housing for the wellbeing of entrepreneurial young women.
Upon arriving in NYC, my life just grew from one experience to the next. The ’90s was an incredible time to be in the city. There were creative outlets everywhere and big conglomerates did not own 90% of the city. The East and West Village still had boutique, antique shops, tea shops, and seedy areas where you would venture for the better or worse depending on the situation.
How did you end up working at Polo Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger? What impact did these early opportunities have on you and your decision to dive into residential interior design?
The Summer of 1991, I sent out over 200 resumes; we were in a recession however I was young and had no idea what that meant. This is before computers and phones were a necessity. Working at Ralph Lauren taught me about the foundation of interior design and what working with artisans and architects meant. The city was full of incredible sources at that time and it was all about your rolodex. My time at RL was my master’s degree in interior design.
I was recruited at a very young age to be the Visual Director at TH. I opened the first 10 Hilfiger stores in Malls. At Hilfiger, I learned about business relationships. It was interesting being a young woman in business/design at that time. That is another story altogether.
You founded Roughan Interiors in 2009 and the firm has been earning global recognition and celebrity clients ever since. How would you describe your design philosophy and has it evolved over the years?
Technically, I have been designing much longer. I founded Sullivan Design in 1996, changed my name due to marriage and founded Roughan Interiors.
My design philosophy is simple: Create beauty with intent and function. Without function the longevity cannot survive. I am constantly evolving as a designer and get inspiration through travel, architecture, other designers/architects, nature, and music. One must be always sourcing and eager to learn about new art, furniture, artisans as you must evolve and bring fresh ideas to the table.
With offices in Weston, Connecticut, and Manhattan, where does Roughan Interiors primarily work? What are some of the farthest or most unique projects you have taken on?
We have had projects in Florida, Telluride, Europe, Texas, Los Angeles, Palm Beach. Lots in NYC, Greenwich, New Canaan, Bedford, Katonah, and Weston. We really travel to where the job is and take pride in each project.
What is your advice for clients who don’t know their home style or what direction they want to go in? How can someone discover their personal style?
I ask them to look at what they are wearing. In fact, I have an exercise where I walk them through magazines online or Pinterest and we save tear sheets of furniture, interiors, and lighting until they are comfortable with the specific pieces. This process has never failed if they are willing to do the work.
What was it like to work with Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe on his home? How did the design process unfold?
A realtor friend of mine asked me if I could keep a secret—of course, I responded “yes” since I am like a vault with secrets—and to meet her at an apartment in the city. When I arrived, she then said that she had a client who was looking for a talented designer who could be trusted. I was incredibly grateful, and it was a wonderful project that I could not talk about for years.
I was a very big Potter book fan as he and I share the same birthday, July 31st. I was quite friendly with Dan’s parent, who I worked with on Dan’s apartment and their townhome at different times. Going back stage when Dan performed in Equus was a highlight of the time. Besides being amazingly talented, they all were very nice and so much fun to work with.
Congratulations on being honored at the Connecticut IDA Awards last year! Your project named Wildwood involved carefully refreshing a client’s historic home and was selected as a finalist for the CT IDA’s Interior Design category. What did you love most about leading this total transformation and the finished result?
I loved my clients as they were wonderful to work with and respected the integrity of the home as much as I did. The home has such significance as it was formerly the residence of Maude Wetmore, who was a Manhattan/Newport socialite at the turn of the century. She named the home “Wildwood” and this was her layover from one grand estate to another. This home was designed by her cousin, architect Charles Wetmore of Warren & Wetmore. They were responsible for Grand Central Station among many other notable structures of that time.
Right now, what would be your dream next project? Is there anything Roughan Interiors has not done yet that is on your bucket list?
A Buckingham Palace renovation! But more realistically, restoring a European castle.
When you are not busy meeting with clients or designing exquisite spaces, what are your favorite things to do? What lights you up?
I love being with my family and they are my world. Vacations are very important to us since it is the most time we spend together and we all love to travel. Music lights me up, especially when I am in front of a microphone as I love to sing. For the record, I’m a Taylor Swift fan and think she is outstanding.
I’m also obsessed with auction houses and special finds. Recently, on a buying trip to Paris, I purchased a 1950’s handmade ceramic bowl that is the most exquisite turquoise green I have ever seen. It was approximately 14” in diameter and 5” tall; very heavy…I was so afraid it was going to break if I shipped it that I carried it home. Only for such a treasure would I travel that way, hopefully will not be doing that again anytime soon!
Looking back, what have been some of the most pivotal milestones in your life that brought you to where you are now?
Wow, there are so many. I’d say:
- Moving from Worcester, Massachusetts to New York City with $500 in my pocket
- Working at Ralph Lauren and being a window dresser for Galleries Lafayette
- Forming a band and winning Battle of the Bands at Kenny’s Castaway NYC, then touring
- Creating Sullivan Design/Roughan Interiors
- Getting married in Ireland
- Birthing my twin girls
- Moving to Weston, CT
- Becoming a member of The Decorators Club, the nation’s oldest women’s professional organization dedicated to interior design
It is such an inspiration to hear your story. What is your advice to young people today trying to make their way in the Big Apple or in the interior design world?
Dream big and keep walking. There will be people who bring you up and there will be others who try and tear you down. Listen to the good ones and move on.
You must have passion to be an artist. Interior designers are artists. We design people’s surroundings and create atmosphere to bring happiness, tranquility, and beauty into their lives. Love yourself and your job, and be thankful.
With a reputation for attention to detail and discretion, Roughan‘s clients love her and she loves creating tailored yet warm spaces for them. From transforming luxury yachts to crafting timeless interiors for country estates or sleek city penthouses, the accomplished designer can tackle any project and makes it fun along the way.
Roughan’s headquarters sit in a beautiful, 240-year-old former cobbler shop linked to one of the founding families of Weston. In the video above, the designer welcomes you into her firm’s office, giving a peek of what it’s like to stop by.
So, what are you waiting for? Visit roughaninteriors.com to get in touch with her team and set up a consultation for your next project.