Leslie Murphy is the Owner and Creative Director of Memphis-based design firm, Murphy Maude Interiors. Originally from Alabama, Leslie moved to New York early in her career to work in academia at Columbia University. After extensive travel, Leslie decided to leave academia to open Murphy Maude Interiors in 2013. Recently, Leslie has expanded her business practice and launched Mable Originals, her own textile and art brand, which focuses on creating high-quality murals for her clients. Learn more about Leslie in this week’s Maker Monday.
Leslie is known for painting custom murals for her clients. The mural in this dinning room is clearly designed to resemble marble and offers a high-quality alternative to an original stone.
Andrew Joseph: What’s inspiring you in life (in the industry) right now?
Leslie Murphy: I love all of the art driven products utilized in unique ways like the front of dressers and case pieces; unique one-of-a-kind murals that tell a story, and custom products that speak to the history or special experiences of clients. Anything that allows for a truly curated and bespoke design experience gets my synapses firing!
AJ: What’s the weirdest thing a client has ever asked you?
LM: A client once asked me to walk their dogs while I was measuring the home. Was happy to do it as we often become like family members when we are working so closely together. From a design perspective, someone once asked me to select the brand of paper products they should be using! It is interesting because we do sometimes become this curatorial team down to the entire life experience which I think tells us something about custom design and where that is going.
The artworks for her murals are hand-painted on either textured vinyl or eco-friendly wallpaper.
AJ: What do you find yourself daydreaming about most these days?
LM: I am designing two of my own homes currently. I wake up at night thinking about what kind of marble I will use and being able to host friends and family again. It is long overdue!
AJ: Describe your design style as if you were explaining it to someone who cannot see.
LM: Often warm and inviting but always with a focus on the unique, art-driven and highly edited and curated. A bit of luxury but still approachable.
AJ: What are three things you can’t live without?
LM: My design team, coffee, good shoes.
As an artist, Leslie is able to bring her murals to life and bring a truly unique feeling to her clients home. Photo by Selavie Photography.
AJ: What’s one thing people don’t know about you?
LM: I love Motown music and I love to dance.
AJ: What is something you hope to see trending in design in the future?
LM: More collaborations with local artists, artisans for one. Another important movement I hope we see is less purchasing through big box retailers. I would love to see people working with and supporting local and entrepreneurial design teams and shops. This also means providing access to good design and accessible beautiful furniture products more broadly, not just at the very highest levels. This is a goal I am working toward in my own business with Mable Originals.
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