Josh Greene

Josh Greene Design is a New York-based interior design studio with a collaborative approach to creating stylish environments that balance functionality, refinement, warmth and comfort.

With over 18 years of experience in the design industry, Josh worked for luminaries including MR Architecture + Décor, Ralph Lauren, Michael Smith and Sawyer Berson, before founding Josh Greene Design. In 2023, he was named to the AD100, the annual directory of top interior design firms and one of the industry’s top honors. He has also been listed on the Elle Décor A-List and Luxe Magazine’s Gold List. With a versatile and open-minded approach to design combined with an ever expanding range of influences, Josh views each project as an opportunity to craft unrepeatable spaces tailored to each client.

How would you describe your design philosophy?
I have always frozen up at this question because I never felt like I had a clear answer. My projects don’t always look alike though there is certainly a thread throughout – a color sensibility, a specific balance of pattern and texture along with a mix of furniture styles. But I recently started to understand and describe my philosophy as simply intuitive. Each project is just a feeling I develop that dictates the direction. The feeling comes from taking in to account the client’s personality and personal style, the architecture and location of the space we’re working on mixed with what I find interesting at the moment.

Who are the three designers you follow on Instagram?
I follow way more than three but some visionaries I fangirl include Flack Studio, Studio Shamshiri, Pierre Yovanovitch.

Was there a moment when you realized you wanted to be a designer? If so, what was it?
In my early twenties I was working as a fashion journalist and was in Chicago on business and went to see an exhibition of David Adler houses at the Art Institute. I left that exhibition with a commitment to shift my career in to architecture and design because I was so excited.

Give us some context about where you live: How long you’ve been there and how does it influence your work?
I have lived in New York for the past 23 years and have been entrenched in the design world for most of it. It is the epicenter and standard bearer for design and innovation in the US. Hospitality, residential, retail – it’s all here and is the best of the best. There are so many makers, designers, stylists, photographers, journalists and architects that I’m friends with and we all support each other. It’s a real community. I’m constantly seeing what people are doing and trying to pave my own path while being enthusiastic about all the other great work people are putting out there.

What are your favorite materials with which to work? Why?
I’m such a textile guy. I love looking at new fabrics, it’s endless and always gives me a starting point for a room. I could see a fabric and think to myself, “this would make the perfect bed,” or “this would make the most interesting upholstered wall.” And then it becomes that. Some textiles aren’t right for certain projects but I keep them in my library and eventually they end up in the right project. I’ve waited years to finally place the right textile in right project. And then sometimes I finally get to use them but they’re discontinued and I cry and curse the textile Gods.

What is the most pressing issue in the interior design field today?
A shipper I work with always said, “There are no emergencies in decorating!” I try to keep that in mind. It is a privilege that I and my clients get to spend time and money creating beautiful spaces in which to spend time.

What’s now? 
Amongst exciting new residential commissions, I have several product launches coming up. Fabrics with Kufri, furniture with Lawson Fenning and my second collection of wallpaper.

What’s next?
I’m heading to Europe on a whirlwind tour. London, Jersey, Lake Garda, Venice, Vienna and Paris! A real grand tour! I’m traveling with family but I’m hoping to drag them to some design thing like a Palladian Villa or a house museum.

More about Josh Greene, visit joshgreenedesign.com