Designer Friday: Christina Roughan

When we call Christina Roughan an interior design rockstar, we don’t just mean she created killer interiors for the Connecticut and New York area. We mean she’s an interior designer, but also used to shred a guitar for audiences across the country in the 90s. As the former rock band singer readied herself for a more long term career commitment, she developed her artistic skills at jobs as part of design teams at Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger. In 1996, she turned to interior design, where she applied her gift for “bringing down the house” to residences and commercial spaces. Now, Rougan splits her time between Connecticut and New York and owns Roughan Interiors, combining subtle color with antique furnishings to bring her visions to life. Enjoy Christina’s ASPIRE encore in today’s Designer Friday. Black walls and a marble fireplace make this sitting room by Roughan a contemplative, moody chamber.Rich wood accents give this Connecticut home a sense of grandeur and tradition. A striking stone fireplace brings the heat.


Andrew Joseph – What’s your favorite time of day?
Christina Roughan – My favorite time of day is early mornings when the world is quiet and I can think.

Andrew – What is one thing no one knows about you?
Christina – I used to be in a Funk Rock band called Swelter in NYC in the 1990s. I was a singer. We toured everything from the Elbow Room and Alice’s Underground in NYC to Philly, Chicago, Maryland and Delaware. It came pretty far in 3 years.

Andrew – Dream country to work in? Or a dream project to take on.
Christina – A large castle in Ireland that could be restored and transformed in a home for a modern family. I have roots there so it would be fun to do the research as well.
Ever since I saw the interiors of Hugh Hefner’s plane, I got the bug to do a private plane and then fill it with the most fabulous art. A gallery on the go.

Andrew – Vintage or new?
Christina – Vintage mid-century, I love pieces with a story.

Andrew – What are three things you can’t live without?
Christina – My children, Hermes Marveilles perfume, and Slim Aarons King of Hollywood original photo.

Andrew – What’s one ingredient you put in everything?
Christina – Himalayan sea salt.

Andrew – Must have clothing item everyone should have?
Christina – Black Cashmere turtleneck. It sums up everything I adore about style – clean, sophisticated, no-nonsense and it can go anywhere.

Andrew – What’s inspiring you in life (in the industry) right now?
Christina – All the wonderful creative work that people are showing on Instagram. Everything from a small ceramicist in a remote village to fabulous fashion photography to a rare piece of vintage Swedish furniture. The world is your oyster and Instagram gives you a feast to look at.

Andrew – Favorite city to recharge?
Christina – Well of course NYC.

Andrew – Who is your ideal client?
Christina – Nice people who understand design with an unlimited budget. They would say “I will see you in September, just make it beautiful….” Reflective floors and all-white surroundings give this Roughan-designed home a glossy, futuristic feel. Photograph by Jessica Glynn. Starting with neutrals and layering in color is a Roughan trademark. Here, she incorporates blues into a clean, white living room.


About Christina Roughan | For more than two decades, Christina S. Roughan has been practicing the craft of interior design first in NYC and now running her firm in Fairfield County, CT with an office in New York as well. Over that period, she started the business Sullivan Interiors, expanded it, got married, then created Roughan Interiors which she runs today. Prior to that she held senior-level design positions at Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger enabling her to hone her design and management skills. Roughan’s work is marked by its timeless sophistication, it’s mixing of mid-century, antique furnishings and select objects and art, and its deft combinations of texture and subtle color. “I always say that my favorite part of the job is the installation, when everything comes together and we bring a home to life,” she says. “But then my other favorite part is seeing the big smile on the client’s face when they see it for the first time. That is one of the happiest moments.”

Awards: 2006 Finalist for the Rising Star Award, and the AtHome A-list awards winner and finalist 2015, 2017, and 2018 nominee.


About Andrew Joseph | Andrew Joseph’s passion for design and rich journalistic history led to the launch of his boutique PR firm in 2012. Prior to enjoying the successes of Andrew Joseph PR, Andrew honed his editorial skills at Vanity Fair and Allure. This experience, as well as the strong network of contacts developed over the years in public relations, brings a valuable edge to his new role as contributing editor. Let the musing begin.

Photography by Jane Beiles.

Like what you see? Get it first with a subscription to ASPIRE DESIGN AND HOME magazine.

No Comments Yet

Leave a Reply

aspire design and home is seeker and storyteller of the sublime in living. It is a global guide to in-depth and varied views of beauty and shelter that stirs imagination; that delights and inspires homeowners as well as art and design doyens. Collaborating with emergent and eminent architects, artisans, designers, developers and tastemakers, aspire creates captivating content that savors the subjects and transports with stunning imagery and clever, thought-provoking writing. Through lush and unique visuals and a fresh editorial lens, aspire explores what is new and undiscovered in art, interiors, design, culture, real estate, travel and more. aspire design and home is an international narrative and resource for all seeking the sublime.