A Pennsylvania-Style Barn, Imagined by Ursino Interiors

Rip & Tan: First things first—how did you get your start in interior design?

Maureen Ursino: It’s a bit of a roundabout story, as is the case for many of us. I started my career in management consulting in Washington, D.C.. I am so grateful to have worked with some truly brilliant and admirable people, but my heart was never really in it. I knew something important was missing fairly early on.

I’ve always been drawn to design—it’s just part of who I am. Whether through fashion, architecture, art, movies, travel, or getting lost in design books, I’ve always been tuned into the creative side of life, and interiors were what I loved most. After about ten years in consulting, I finally decided to listen to that pull. I went back to school for my master’s and, in 2018, started Ursino Interiors.

Since then, it’s been a journey with plenty of ups, downs, and all the challenges that come with building a business, but I’ve loved every minute of it. I feel incredibly lucky to spend my days doing what I love.

Rip & Tan: How did the vision for this space come to life?

Maureen Ursino: The vision started with our clients’ desire to create a traditional Pennsylvania-style barn. From there, we had a series of conversations that helped us refine a few north star concepts to guide the design—one of the most defining being the dark-on-dark kitchen!

Rip & Tan: What role did the architecture and landscape design play in shaping your interior choices?

Maureen Ursino: A very significant one. From the very beginning, the architecture, landscape, and interiors teams worked hand in hand to ensure a truly collaborative, cohesive approach to the project as a whole. The A/V team was also part of that dialogue—it was such a fun process! When all the disciplines interact that closely, the end result is always stronger, and the interiors naturally become richer and more connected to their surroundings.

Rip & Tan: How did you approach balancing rustic textures with the space’s more modern touches?

Maureen Ursino: I love this question! Our approach was to lean into more primitive, tactile materials for the interior architecture—chunky stone, knotty woods, fluid plaster, concrete, and rugged edges—and set those against cleaner, more linear contemporary forms. That contrast created a natural dialogue between rustic and modern. The furnishings also played a big role in reinforcing the modern sensibility and balancing the rawness of the materials.

Rip & Tan: This project spanned three years. How did your relationship with the client shape the final result?

Maureen Ursino: One of the things I loved most about this project was the clients themselves. They were incredible every step of the way—trusting, collaborative, and such thoughtful partners. There’s no doubt their energy and openness shaped the final result!

Rip & Tan: What’s one design detail in this home that’s easy to overlook, but you personally love most?

Maureen Ursino: The lower-level spa is such a special feature. I especially love the double showers—the neutral tones make the whole space feel warm and inviting.

Rip & Tan: How does this home reflect your studio’s overall design philosophy?

Maureen Ursino: We worked very closely with our clients to make sure every design choice felt personal to them—whether through layout, materials, furnishings, or how the home supports their style of entertaining. So many details were carefully considered, and that level of thoughtfulness is something I feel truly defines us as a studio.

I believe our role as designers is to create spaces that only grow better with age—places that take on deeper meaning as life unfolds within them. My goal is for the spaces we create to serve as beautiful backdrops for our clients’ stories and journeys to shine—whatever that may look like for them.