Introducing Bryan Graybill, the experienced interior designer and convivial emcee, who infuses sophistication and comfort into every social event
Bryan Graybill, a seasoned interior designer and host, is sharing his tips for creating a more inviting home during the holiday season. His philosophy emphasizes a slow, thoughtful approach rather than large, perfect events.
Raised in the hospitality industry, with a father who was a hotel developer and a mother who taught him the art of hosting, Graybill believes that activating a space is about how it works, not just how it looks. This approach is evident in his design philosophy, which focuses on creating spaces where people can do something, inviting movement and use.
Warming the home gradually is key to Graybill's hosting philosophy. Instead of big housewarming parties, he prefers intimate gatherings such as breakfast with close friends, a quiet supper, or having a few overnight guests. He views home warmth like heating a stove slowly, allowing the space to feel lived-in and welcoming over time.
Graybill's homes become truly inviting when filled with conversations, meals, and footsteps, which imbue the space with life and warmth. He prioritizes presence over perfection, believing that hosting is about being present, not about perfectly orchestrated details. Inviting homes have subtle touches like well-placed trays and layered soft textures that make guests feel comfortable and cared for without fuss.
Rooms should feel easy to use and intuitively prepared, as if they "know what you need before you do," helping guests feel truly at home. Graybill's design approach aims to create spaces that make guests feel at home, with a focus on functionality and hospitality.
In his Hamptons home, Graybill has created a snug with a warm mood, featuring a deep banquette, a built-in ledge for a glass of tequila, and a quiet, comfortable atmosphere for winter. Flow is essential in Graybill's designs, making it easy for people to move through spaces without having to ask where to sit, stand, or put a drink.
Graybill's design style is characterized as "disciplined nostalgia" and is rooted in Anglo-Secessionist aesthetics, drawing from Edwardian craft and old English gardens. His design approach aims to create spaces that evoke feelings such as calm, intrigue, or the sense of stepping into another time.
This outlook was part of a broader designers' guide to entertaining by Bryan Graybill, published in July 2025 by Homes & Gardens. He promised to share more tips on creating inviting entryways and conversation-sparking tables as part of celebrating everyday life at home[1]. After earning a degree from Cornell's Nolan School of Hotel Administration, Graybill worked in hospitality consulting before shifting to interior design.
[1] Graybill, B. (2025). A Designer's Guide to Entertaining. Homes & Gardens. Retrieved from [insert link]
- Bryan Graybill, in his design philosophy, focuses on creating an inviting home by designing functional spaces that evoke a sense of calm and encourage movement and use, merging the concepts of interior design and lifestyle within the realm of home-and-garden.
- During intimate gatherings in his Hamptons home, Graybill creates a cozy snug with deep banquettes and layered soft textures, emphasizing the importance of a welcoming interior design that invokes feelings of comfort and nostalgia.
