Joy Moyler
Joy Moyler is an American interior designer and founder of Joy Moyler Interiors, a studio renowned for creating refined residential, hospitality, and commercial environments that seamlessly blend architecture, fashion, and craftsmanship. Drawing on a career that spans leading architecture and design firms—including Ralph Lauren, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Kohn Pedersen Fox, Thierry Despont, and Giorgio Armani Interior Design Studio—her work is distinguished by its sophisticated layering of textiles, colour, materiality, and bespoke detailing inspired by haute couture and traditional tailoring.
Moyler has completed projects for an international clientele, including private residences, luxury hospitality, and commercial commissions across the United States, Europe, and beyond. Her work has been recognised with repeated inclusion in the Elle Decor A-List (2019–2026) and Architectural Digest AD100 (2021–2026). Alongside her design practice, she serves as Contributing Design Editor for Veranda magazine and continues to contribute to the broader design community through writing, editorial work, and industry leadership.
“The smaller the room, the bigger the surprise.”
INTERVIEW
My background began in architecture. Migrating to interiors is where I was always meant to be. I love textiles! My Mother was a textile artist, quilter, and loved dressmaking. That began my love of textiles and interiors.
First acknowledgements on Architectural Digest 100 and Elle Decor A-List, of course, are incredible industry blessings. But I never forget, every moment at the board, every interaction, order placed, site visit, meeting, installation … ALL of it is a defining moment in my career. For each interaction, thought, development, and sketch begins something new.
Studying architecture and all its components makes for a better interior designer. Understanding the mechanics of construction (physics, electrical, HVAC) all of it. Deeply understanding what creates and supports the exterior makes a better interior!
I always begin with understanding the architecture, walking through the space multiple times, observing light at different times of the day. Anticipating how materials will change tone.
favorite pieces from the Philia Collection
There are SO MANY BEAUTIFUL PIECES!!!
I favor Classical architecture, symmetry and clean lines, comfortable yet structured furniture, and always great lighting. Everything on a dimmer switch. However, I do not have a signature style. I have trained in many, so I do not allow the limitation.
One of my design credos is “the smaller the room, the bigger the surprise”! Adding…”To not merely add value to the real estate, but more importantly enrich the value and fullness of the lives of those in it”.
There are far too many to count. A golf resort in Moscow was certainly never on my bingo card! A Villa in Portofino has to be my top design experience for certain. Then there is the historical English estate… just too many to mention. A New York with a McKim, Meade and White barn. I have been very blessed in my work. All because of AMAXING Client relationships, I continue to
value.
There are several valuable lessons I have learned along the way. The top five are:
a. Never forget you are a service, in a service industry
b. Measure everything FOUR times
c. Never trust dimensions on a floor plan (unless you drew it yourself)!
d. I always have clients sign off on all orders. The worst thing is a client who says they “didn’t want to purchase a costly item” after the order has been processed and paid for.
e. Another rule is to acknowledge if the error was made (on your side) and take responsibility for it. THAT is professional behavior!
When founding my own firm, it took me a long time to learn to delegate. With my extensive training, I became a one-person design firm. Simply, it was often easier to just complete the tasks myself because I knew I could, while managing time effectively. But it left me burnt out. After a reset, delegating has become a luxury.
Keep Dreaming, Keep Striving, and deeply STUDY everything you can! Travel for inspiration! World travel, curating found objects, textiles, and ‘off the beaten path’ shopping excursions are the things my dreams are made of. Every little job is BIG training, regardless of how mundane the task may appear.
Dennis Scully’s ‘Business of Home’.
Here’s a worthy tip! Keep the palette in the room calm or under four textiles for the same reason. I do, however, look to the flooring material as an opportunity for another pattern or
texture.
There are undoubtedly lessons you learn in life, early in life, that make you who you are. Certainly, all for the better if you pay attention and absorb them. Some will be personal, others professional. The goal is to be better for it.
Thank you so much Joy, for this lovely interview!
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I love the geometric nature and finish!