Scaling a Design Studio Without Losing Your Creative Vision with Hilary Matt

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Scaling a design firm isn’t just about taking on more projects—it’s about stepping into the role of CEO, redefining your creative direction, and building a business that can grow with you. Because the truth is, if you own your own studio, you are an entrepreneur, even if you first identify yourself as a designer.

On today’s episode of The Interior Collective, I’m joined by Hilary Matt, founder and principal of Hilary Matt Interiors, a New York–based residential design studio with projects spanning the country. Known for her fearless mix of post-modern edge and Scandinavian minimalism, Hilary creates layered, highly personal spaces rooted in comfort, function, and material depth. Her work has been featured in Architectural Digest, ELLE Decor, The New York Times, and House Beautiful, and she’s been recognized as a member of AD’s Designer Directory, House Beautiful’s Next Wave class, and Better Homes & Gardens’ Color Stars for 2024.

In this conversation, Hilary shares how her firm evolved from a one-woman show into a nationally recognized business—and the pivotal moment that caused her to reevaluate everything from team structure to brand identity. We’re unpacking the growing pains of leadership, the shifts in her creative voice, and the intentional ways she’s expanding her firm’s reach beyond traditional client services.

This is an honest, behind-the-scenes look at what it really means to grow as both a designer and an entrepreneur.