BTD: How did appearing on Top Design affect your business or personal life?
RH: Being on the show did affect my life. I lost a friend named Bobby Silberman to cancer, He was 25, I wore a Lance Armstrong bracelet on the show that he gave me. I have also done a lot of commercial work that I never would have had the opportunity to do. I also lost a girlfriend partially due to that show...but that actually was a blessing!
BTD: What single thing would you change if you were producing Season 2? or, What do you hope to see as part of a Season 2.
RH: If I were producing season two I would make sure that the production staff did serious research on interior design. I would hire carpenters of equal skill level, and I would have less rules...everyone knows that the show had very little to do with actual interiors, it is more about drama and tension, It is better for production if you fail miserably rather than succeed.
BTD: What advice do you have for the contestants (although we know the show is already shot)
RH: My advice for the contestants is to be nice to everyone. You have a life to go home to. It is ok to question and be confrontational, even an asshole at times but it not ok to be mean. When you get home: Don't read the blogs! ordinarily nice people will be petty and mean and sometimes sadly pathetic in the comfort of their own homes. Remember that you made it on TV and they didn't, and it is most likely jealousy. I got torn apart in those things and even criticized for the Lance Armstrong bracelet being 'out of style' Some folks need to 'go do' instead of sit around and comment on others that are doing. I also try to be a good ambassador to fans, even though I was cast tobe the controversial one, I am always nice to people when I amrecognized.
BTD: What advice would you have for those looking to get into interior design or do a reality show?
RH: If you are interested in being on a reality show, you need to realize that you are signing your life away. You will feel used, and you will have next to no way to defend yourself after the show is taped unless you start your own blog. As far as getting into interior design, do what ever makes you happy. If you are in love with air hockey, donate your dining room table to charity, and put an air hockey table in its place...put a skateboard ramp in the living room. follow your bliss. 99.9% of clients that can afford interior designers want to 'fit in' so be prepared to deal with your clients tastes, which may include bad art, gold trim, and puffy furniture, ultimately you are working for them. I will only work for that .1% who are interested in something visionary and ground breaking.
Ryan sent along some images of a couple of recent projects:
Images above: before and after pictures of the Sculpture that Ryan did for the progressive collection.
Above: a lamp Ryan designed made from Tide Detergent bottles for Edsel Williams in East Hampton, New York
Ryan, thanks so much for keeping us up to date on what's going on with you!
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