A home should be more than just a place to live. It should tell a story about the people inside it. That philosophy sits at the heart of Ruby+Suede, a full-service interior design studio based in Savage and Excelsior that believes every space should reflect the personality, lifestyle, and aspirations of its owner.
Although Ruby+Suede officially launched as an independent design studio six years ago, its story began more than 20 years earlier. The team originally operated as the design arm of Highmark Builders starting in 2003, and has since grown into a studio serving a wider audience. Today, Ruby+Suede partners with builders, remodelers, and homeowners alike, providing everything from full-home design services to smaller-scale projects like furnishings and window treatments.
“We do all of the design for new homes, remodels, furniture, furnishings—really everything,” says Senior Interior Designer Kristen Schammel, who has been with the studio since the beginning. “Everything design Ruby+Suede can handle.”
The studio’s team includes ten interior designers who specialize in different areas, from kitchens and baths to restoration projects for homeowners recovering from events like floods or fires. Designers also work alongside project managers, allowing them to collaborate efficiently and support clients throughout the entire process.
That versatility is one of Ruby+Suede’s defining traits. The team might help one client design a new home from the ground up while assisting another with a single-room refresh.
“We do everything from helping people with an office space to building a new house from scratch,” says Senior Interior Designer Megan Dent, who joined the studio in 2025 after more than a decade in the industry. “Rugs, furniture, exteriors—new paint, stone, lighting—we’re very versatile in the way we help people.”
Finding a Client’s Personal Style
At Ruby+Suede, design always begins with understanding the client. Megan explains that the initial discovery meetings are focused on getting to know homeowners and uncovering what inspires them.
“In the beginning, we’re basically strangers, so we’re learning a lot about each other,” Megan says. “We ask a lot of questions and look at their inspiration images. Clients often gravitate toward certain photos without realizing why, and we help them understand what they’re responding to.”
Designers then combine those insights with practical considerations like budget and lifestyle to create spaces that feel both personal and functional.
When couples have different design preferences, collaboration becomes even more important.
“Compromise is key,” Kristen says. “There are a lot of similarities between styles in terms of color and tone. It’s about incorporating those details so everything still feels cohesive.”
That approach allows the team to work across a wide range of aesthetics, from coastal and farmhouse to transitional designs that blend multiple influences.
Softening Spaces With Texture and Detail
Because Ruby+Suede works across so many styles, designers often focus on the details that give each space its own personality. Smaller rooms like home offices, powder rooms, and bathrooms are often ideal places to experiment with elements that feel more expressive or personal.
For some homeowners, that can mean incorporating softer, more feminine touches that help a room feel warm and inviting.
“Soft lines and curves add warmth,” Kristen explains. “Warmer color tones, softer lighting, and floral prints are really popular right now.”
Megan encourages homeowners to embrace the elements that genuinely excite them.
“If there’s something that excites you, go all in on it,” she says. “We can always find a way to incorporate it into the design.”
Wallpaper is one design feature the Ruby+Suede team frequently uses to bring personality and texture into a room. Once considered outdated, wall coverings have made a major comeback and can instantly elevate a space.
“You can go with something classic and timeless, or choose a subtle texture if you’re nervous about bold patterns,” Kristen says.
Bathrooms are another place where thoughtful details can transform the atmosphere. Raising a shower curtain to ceiling height, layering lighting with dimmers or backlit mirrors, or adding a patterned runner instead of a standard bath mat can soften a room often dominated by tile and stone, helping create a more spa-like environment.
Small Changes, Big Impact
For homeowners looking to refresh their space without committing to a full renovation, the designers noted that the first step might be simpler than expected.
“Decluttering can make a huge difference,” Megan says. “Sometimes homes feel tired because they’re filled with things you don’t love anymore.”
Kristen also suggested redistributing décor throughout the home.
“Sometimes what I like to do is take my décor from my main areas and bedrooms, put them all in one place, then disperse them into a new area around the house,” she says. “Just switching things around can make your home feel new again.”
Whether they’re designing a new home from the ground up or refreshing a single room, the Ruby+Suede team keeps the focus on the same thing: the people who will live in the space. Because the most beautiful homes aren’t just well designed, they’re deeply personal. RubyAndSuede.com
"If there’s something that excites you, go all in on it. We can always find a way to incorporate it into the design.”