Interior Designer Ryan Korban's "Sexy, Romantic, Fantasy" Style

By Emily Hsieh
March 15, 2010

In just a few years, Ryan Korban has established himself as the decorator of choice for downtown New York’s fashion contingent, counting designer Alexander Wang, supermodel Jessica Stam, and actor/Gucci face James Franco among his clients. All crave Korban’s self-described “sexy, romantic, fantasy” style, which, he says “touches on tradition, but with an infusion of sexiness to make it a new and alluring thing.” Recently, Korban sat down with The Inside Source to break down his aesthetic and share some insight into his design process.

“For me, design is all about working with the senses. The smell, the touch—that’s what makes a captivating space. I want every surface to be tactile. That’s why I love the feel of things like leather and fur whether it’s real or faux,” he says. “A lot of times people get bored with their space, but if you’re engaged with all your senses, that’s less likely to happen.”

Ryan Korban (Credit: Hugh Lippe)

At the beginning of any project, Korban focuses on capturing the mood of his client and the space, culling scores of inspiration images before he’s actually ready to shop. “Sometimes the mood strikes, and I know right away what that feeling is, so I like to pull things that evoke that. I use eBay as a database. If I need an image of a Louis XIV chair, I know I can find one on eBay, and clients will actually have the option to buy it.”

Interiors designed by Ryan Korban

Knowing how and what to search for becomes critical, according to Korban: “So much of my work is on eBay. As a young interior designer, you learn how to translate your aesthetic into keywords. For me, that means things like shagreen, Hermes ashtray, black and white abstract art. Your keywords that are specific to you are very important.” He goes on to explain, “The more precise you are, the better. When you find something you like on eBay, really look at how it’s being described. Learn the terms. The titles on eBay, whether that refers to Murano glass or a certain type of tufting on a chair, can really help you find new things. Everyone gives something a different name, and you have to know how to work around that to find what you what.”

To demonstrate what he means, Korban combed eBay to find examples of pieces that represent his aesthetic. The items range from a boldly contemporary $40 watercolor to a $2,795 gilded antique French setee, of which he says, “I like things to look expensive regardless of their price. It’s never my intent to go high-low, but when you type in the name of something you love into eBay, you’re going to find so many options coexisting at all different price points, which makes the site so attractive. Look for things you love, things that are really beautiful, and remember, money has nothing to do with taste.”

eBay Picks

1. Mink Faux Fur Throw (buy it now price, $69.99) “A fur throw, real or faux, adds an instant pop of luxury and sex appeal. It’s tactile and the texture has so much depth. You can throw it on any old piece of furniture and suddenly it takes on a whole new look. If you really want to create the ultimate room, buy a large one and use it as a rug.”

2. 1970’s Brass and Glass Italian Side Table (buy it now price, $1,200) “Nothing says sexy like the 70’s in Italy. They knew how to do brass better than anyone else. The perfect shade of brass—not gold— makes a space attractive. Because you don't want to over-do brass, it's nice to use a side table just for that little pop of flamboyant luxury.”

3. Murano/Venetian-Style Glass Chandelier (buy it now price, $397) “I love Murano glass—it’s elegant and modern at the same time. It gives off a very romantic feel without being granny. The balance of romance and glamour is an important one and the Italian look of a Murano glass fixture accomplishes a great balance. It makes a space alluring.”

4. Hermes Porcelain Grey Chain Ashtray (winning bid, $177.50) “I love Hermes ashtrays because they add such a level of sophistication to any room. They look great in the most unexpected little places. Ashtrays are not often produced these days, so for me, they bring back a sense of heritage in a cool way. Even if you are a non-smoker, they look great with jewelry, keys, or even candy. They are a super sexy home accessory.”

5. Black Dutchess Satin (buy it now price, $22.78 per meter) “Dutchess satin works anywhere. It is the ultimate sexy, romantic, and alluring fabric. I try and always use it somewhere in every space I create. Dutchess satin can be used in any way. You can upholster side chairs, a headboard, throw pillows, seat cushions, or even a full sofa. I love it in black because of the folds it creates.”

6. Annick Goutal Les Orientalistes Candles (buy it now price, $25) “Scent is one of the most important aspects of a room. You can create the mood of a room by the smell you choose. My favorite is amber; it’s rich without being over-powering and is such a captivating scent. It’s an easy way to make a room feel expensive, even if you haven't spent a lot of money. The first thing I do when I walk in my front door is light my amber candles before I even take off my coat.

7. Antique French Louis XV Painted Settee (buy it now price, $2,795) “A settee is the ultimate in old world romance. Settees are also small enough to put in any spot—I love them in front of a bed. If you live in a big city where space is tight, they are the perfect solution. They are easy to reupholster since they do not need a lot of fabric. They have a royal feeling to them which adds fantasy to an environment.“

8. Abstract Modern Black and White Witches’ Harp Angel Reign Painting (starting bid, $40) “Black and white abstract art is so important to me because it conveys a mood in such a sexy and subtle way. [It's] art that evokes a feeling of motion and emotion, which is important when creating an attractive space. Movement in a space pushes people to feel something while they are in it.”

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