5 Designers You Should Start Following on Instagram

Lots of us love to dabble in design, and who hasn’t dreamed of making a career out of it? Imagine doing what you love…all day, every day. That’s the choice these interior designers made, and the results, as you’re about to see, are beautiful. What connects them all is the New York School of Interior Design (NYSID): All five are alumni, board members, or friends of the school. Whether you’re ready to jumpstart an interior design career or you’re just looking for tips to use at home, their Instagram feeds are the inspiration you need.

She may be one of the grandes dames of high society design, but you don’t have to live on Park Avenue to appreciate Bunny Williams’s classic aesthetic. Her chic and tasteful designs have a preppy pedigree with a modern edge. And though very traditional, she was also one of the pioneers of design who brought luxury down to earth by mixing priceless antiques with tag sale finds. Peek at her feed for inspo.

Susan Zises Green’s interiors bounce from vibrant Palm Beach chic to classic New England charm, but all follow the same principles of design. While traditional, her designs still manage to connote some fun with unexpected furniture and bold patterns, proving that “traditional” doesn’t always have to mean “stuffy.”

Down to earth with just the right amount of quirk, Mendelson always breaks the rules…even if just slightly. As you can see on his Instagram, his rooms feature calm and subdued color palettes yet still pique interest with great forms, fixtures, and art. As a dad, he also specializes in family-friendly practical designs (maple syrup-proof breakfast nook? check!) with durable finishes and fabrics that still look great.

Drew McGukin is not afraid of color, patterns, shape, or style. With bold graphics, bright colors, and quirky patterns, he’s the inspiration we all need to take our own spaces outside of the box. After graduating from NYSID in 2010, he’s built a huge following and commendable design career in just eight years.

David Scott’s Instagram is more about his inspiration than his designs, but that’s a good thing. Instead of a mood board, he starts each project with a “mood box” filled with trinkets from travels, textiles, and photos that lead the design direction. His Instagram feed is a digital incarnation of just that. From Kyoto to Capri, see what inspires his thoughtful interiors.

These designers are all alumni, board members, or friends of New York School of Interior Design. If you’re thinking about starting your own career in design, you might be surprised to learn it’s easier than you think. NYSID offers interior design programs tailored for undergrads, graduate students, and career changers alike, with classes offered both on-site and online. (All with an impressive job placement rate of 98 to 100 percent). Whatever your professional background, New York School of Interior Design is the place to start.

Take the first step to designing a career you’ll love.

^{This post is sponsored by the New York School of Interior Design and was created by the Apartment Therapy Creative Studio.
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