Interior Designer Crush: Of Origin Design Studios
If you think design and drumming have nothing in common, think again. For Justin Orton, founder of Of Origin Design Studios, rhythm and restraint go hand in hand. A former touring musician turned interior designer, he brings an artist’s eye and a craftsman’s precision to every space he creates. Drawing inspiration from Japanese design and natural materials, his work feels grounded, soulful, and quietly bold. Meet the Nashville creative whose journey proves that great design — like great music — begins with listening.
What sparked your journey into interior design?
I moved to Nashville back in ’99 for the music scene and spent about a decade touring as a drummer. When I wasn’t on the road, I’d take on side work — building furniture, doing trim carpentry, small construction jobs. I’ve always liked working with my hands and making things.
Eventually, I hit a wall. The hustle of chasing gigs and filling in the gaps had burned me out, and I was ready for a shift — something that still let me be creative, but in a more personal and expressive way.
I’d always been drawn to art and architecture, so I started looking into interior design and realized it checked all the boxes for me — structure, rhythm, composition, materiality — but with more room for storytelling. So, I went back to school and got my BFA in Interior Design from Watkins College of Art, Design, and Film.
While I was there, I found myself really drawn to the intentionality behind Japanese design and craftsmanship, the restraint, the use of natural materials, and the way every detail feels considered. That influence still shows up in our work today.
Starting Of Origin was a way to take everything I’d learned in music, in building, and in design to create something unique. The name came from our intent to strip things back to their origin, to focus on material, form, and feeling. I’m also an artist outside of design: I enjoy drawing, painting, sculpture, and digital work, and that lens carries over into everything I do. For me, design is just another form of art.
How would you describe Of Origin Design Studios’ aesthetic, and how does it reflect your personal design philosophy?
I’d say our work is really grounded in material. We’re drawn to things that are textural, a little raw, and honest: smoked oak, blackened steel, natural plaster, worn leather … materials that hold weight and feel better as they age. There’s usually a sense of contrast — something rough paired with something refined, and a little bit of whimsy. We’re not interested in overly cluttered or styled spaces. We like things to feel curated but comfortable, and we focus a lot on details that are meaningful to our clients.
A lot of the way I approach design comes from my background in music and art — thinking in repeated elements, negative space, and how someone experiences a room. At the end of the day, I just want the work to feel like it’s always been there.
How has Nashville’s design scene influenced your work?
Nashville has this creative undercurrent: part grit, part polish. There’s such a mix of history, music, old-school craftspeople, and forward-thinking builders. It’s a city that’s not afraid to experiment, and that’s shaped how we work. We’re lucky to collaborate with local fabricators and artisans who bring real soul to projects. That collaboration is a big part of the Nashville influence.
When you begin a project, what’s your process for shaping a room’s narrative?
We start by listening to the client, space, and what’s not being said. We spend time upfront understanding how people actually live, what they’re drawn to, and how they move through a room. From there, we gather as a team and start sketching, pulling materials, working through scale and flow, and light. The goal is to make the space feel layered, calm, and personal — designed and built to age well.
Can you share a recent design risk that paid off?
We recently created a space that we, along with our clients, referred to as “the opium den.” It was a deep, moody lounge off the main living area, and we went all in: drenched the entire room in charcoal, layered it with art, low lighting, and rich textures. The vibe was reminiscent of a 19th-century writer’s study — quiet, cinematic, a little mysterious.
It was a bold move for a house that was otherwise light and airy, and even a bit traditional in its bones, but that contrast made it feel really special. It gave the client a totally different kind of space, one that invites them to slow down, pour a drink, and have a moment of escape. In the end, it became one of their favorite rooms. That’s the kind of risk we like. Not flashy, just unexpected.
Is there a signature element you find yourself returning to again and again?
We gravitate toward smoky tones. The dimension of plaster. A deep, layered neutral palette with weight and warmth, and a thoughtful use of color. We work with a lot of blackened finishes and natural textures. These materials aren’t trendy. They age well, hold light beautifully, and bring depth without needing a lot of adornment.
What’s your favorite space in your own home right now?
The living room. It’s simple, but comfortable. There’s a tiled fireplace, a leather lounge chair, and a mix of plants and collected pieces – pottery and odd sculptures, stacks of books, funky rocks and crystals I’ve gathered with my daughter. It’s a little like my personality — meticulous yet a little untamed, with an element of humor. It’s a place where I can slow down, read, sketch, or just be still. That kind of ease is something I always aim for in both life and work.
For someone trying to move beyond Pinterest and curate a home that feels authentically theirs, what’s your best piece of advice?
Start by editing. Think about what speaks to you, not just what’s trending, and resist the impulse to finish it all overnight. Seek out quality and craftsmanship, especially in the pieces you touch every day. Notice the materials you gravitate toward, infuse your personality and interests, and experiment with scale. A home should evolve with you, and it should also reflect you. The best interiors are built slowly with a focus on what you love.
If you could design a dream project with no limits, what would it look and feel like?
Spaces rooted in Japanese design — clean, intentional, and deeply connected to nature. I’m drawn to that quiet balance between structure and stillness. The kind of space where the line between interior and exterior almost disappears. Natural light would pour in through framed views, the materials would be raw but warm — wood, stone, plaster, maybe burnished metal.
But it wouldn’t be too soft and there would still be an edge to it — something that pushes against the calm. Maybe it’s in the scale, or the contrast, or a sculptural element that breaks the symmetry. It wouldn’t be about luxury in the traditional sense; it’d be about clarity, peace, and the kind of presence you feel when a space is truly dialed in. That’s the dream — quiet, grounded, a little haunting, and built to last.
What design trend are you currently loving, and which one are you ready to retire?
I’m glad to see warm, darker woods, aged metals, and textured walls coming back. There’s something grounding about spaces with soul and patina. As for what’s ready to go? Fast design. Anything that feels overly polished or made to impress more than it’s meant to be lived in.
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