Architectural Digest proudly unveils its selection of "New American Voices" for 2026, featuring nine burgeoning design firms poised to revolutionize how we envision and inhabit our personal spaces. These distinguished talents, identified through a meticulous nationwide search, are celebrated for their original concepts that fuse functionality with aesthetics, breathing new vitality into the domestic landscape. Spanning diverse locales from the vibrant metropolis of New York City to the tranquil shores of Maine, each firm brings a distinctive philosophy, demonstrating the expansive and evolving nature of American design.
Emerging Design Stars Reshaping American Living
In the bustling heart of New York City, Dyali, founded by Rahul Ghera, stands out. Ghera, whose background includes a rich blend of Indian and Nigerian heritage and an immersive experience in his family's embroidery business, merges fine craftsmanship with architectural prowess. A RISD master's graduate and alumnus of Annabelle Selldorf's esteemed practice, Ghera launched Dyali in 2020. His firm specializes in residential transformations, seamlessly integrating architectural design with interior elements, creating cohesive and compelling living environments in projects such as a 550-square-foot studio and multi-apartment consolidations.
Further south, in Austin, Texas, Matthew Tsang champions a design philosophy where spaces are not merely functional but transportive. Tsang, with a multidisciplinary background encompassing floristry and hospitality, crafts immersive interiors that serve as an escape from the mundane. His work, influenced by Asian design principles, emphasizes indoor-outdoor connectivity, sculptural forms, and globally sourced objects. Since establishing his firm in 2014, Tsang has left his mark on both residences and eateries, and he even boasts his own furniture line, Tissilent, and botanical studio, Tree Things, all imbued with a wabi-sabi sensibility.
Bridging the East and West coasts, Garance Rousseau, based in Los Angeles and New York City, masterfully blends classic European sophistication with California's lively spirit. Raised between Los Angeles and Versailles, Rousseau's diverse upbringing and studies in industrial design and fine art at Parsons inform her intuitive approach. After honing her skills at AD100 firms like Kelly Wearstler and Waldo Fernandez, she launched her studio three years ago. Her portfolio rapidly grew to include a Fifth Avenue apartment overlooking Central Park, a Hudson Valley cottage for an actor, and a Swedish-inspired farmhouse in the Hollywood Hills, each reflecting her client's essence through vintage pieces and bespoke details.
Back in New York City, Marshall Neve's Chinatown apartment, a testament to his discerning eye, showcases a rich tapestry of global influences. From an African Bwa butterfly mask to antique duck decoys and Japanese fireman's jackets, Neve's broad aesthetic embraces diverse cultures while maintaining a laid-back, quiet backdrop. Originating from Fort Worth, Neve transitioned from advertising to interior design after a personal home renovation sparked his passion. With five years of experience at AD100 firm Redd Kaihoi, he now applies his eclectic vision to projects like an East Village apartment for actor-writer Benito Skinner.
In Portland, Oregon, Pat Austin Design, led by Candace Cohu and Ally Hasche, promises the unexpected. Named in homage to the artist Pat Austin, the firm's work is characterized by bold forms, refined finishes, and a sophisticated interplay of tone and texture. Their projects range from a Craftsman home in Tacoma to a Spanish Revival in Los Angeles, always respecting the existing architecture while introducing unpredictable elements. In 2022, Cohu and Hasche co-founded Patty Studios, an atelier dedicated to handwoven Nepali carpets, embodying their grand aspirations beyond a conventional design firm.
From Freeport, Maine, Insides Studio, founded by Kacee Witherbee, specializes in creating layered, deeply personal spaces that feel authentically lived-in. Witherbee, with a background in historic preservation and mentorship under industry veteran Richard Keith Langham, excels at incorporating clients' personal histories into their homes. Her projects include upholstering sofas with heirloom kilims for a Maine living room and crafting custom Murano-glass chandelier shades for a Brooklyn brownstone, all designed to infuse homes with emotion and character, mirroring the effortless charm of her own 18th-century Maine residence.
In Atlanta, Amber Guyton's Blessed Little Bungalow challenges conventional notions of interior design. Growing up in rural South Carolina, Guyton discovered her passion for transforming spaces early on. After a career in journalism and advertising, her home renovation blog evolved into a full-time design firm in 2021. Guyton, an AD PRO Directory member, extends her vibrant, color-forward aesthetic through projects across Georgia, a new bedding line, a television pilot, and her upcoming book, Soulful Maximalism. She advocates for a balanced maximalism that injects joy, culture, layers, and intention into every room, believing that everyone deserves to love their living space.
New York City and Westchester County are home to Hayley Bridget Interiors, where founder Hayley Cavagnolo exerts meticulous control over every detail, from initial concept to the final arrangement of a client's toiletries. This rigorous process yields romantic results, characterized by soft, organic hues, patinated antiques, and crisply curated vignettes. Having launched her firm in 2021 after seven years with design luminary Michelle R. Smith, the FIT graduate applies her "traditional yet refined" approach to projects nationwide. Her current focus on the greater New York City area includes refreshing a Brooklyn town house for Alice Russotti of Porta and several other ongoing projects, blending modern elements with classical design without excess.
Lastly, in Los Angeles, Kelsey Sundberg prioritizes the homeowner's experience over mere aesthetics. A RISD weaving alumna, Sundberg's design process, refined after five years at AD100 firm Pam Shamshiri's office, begins with understanding daily rituals and cherished objects. Her narrative-driven approach frequently leads her to public libraries for historical insights, helping her to craft spaces that evoke a desired feeling. Whether creating a Lee Radziwill-inspired tented sitting room for fashion designer Lela Becker's Pacific Palisades home or contributing to fire relief initiatives, Sundberg's work aims to create living spaces that are vibrant and hold lasting memories.
The current landscape of American design is being vividly shaped by a cadre of exceptionally creative minds. These emerging designers are not just decorating spaces; they are crafting experiences, weaving personal narratives, and pioneering innovative approaches that honor both tradition and modernity. Their work underscores a collective move towards more thoughtful, personalized, and emotionally resonant interiors. By focusing on how inhabitants truly live and what stories their homes can tell, these talents are setting new benchmarks for residential design, ensuring that every space is a reflection of individuality and a source of daily inspiration. Their contributions highlight a vibrant future where design is deeply intertwined with well-being and cultural expression.
