Your Home Should Tell Your Story — and Leigh Misso Wants to Help You Write It
Leigh Misso artfully blends interior design with her building expertise, and the results have us swooning! Get to know our latest design crush. Image: River Brook Design and Construction
Most interior designers know how to make a room beautiful. Leigh Misso also knows how to build it! With a degree in building science and an eye for design, the co-founder of Birmingham-based River Brook Design and Construction brings an unusual combination of skills to the table. Alongside her husband, Kevin, she’s built a company that handles everything from architectural plans to the finishing touches, earning international recognition along the way. We caught up with Leigh to talk about the design rules she loves to break, the details most people overlook, and why the best homes don’t necessarily follow the trends.
What is River Brook’s story?
River Brook really grew out of a shared vision between my husband, Kevin, and me. We believed there was an opportunity to approach residential design and construction differently, bringing architecture, interiors, and construction together rather than treating them as separate disciplines.
What started as a construction company in 2016 evolved into something much more comprehensive. Kevin brought his experience in construction and development, and I brought my background in building science and a lifelong passion for design. We wanted to create a process where every decision, from the architecture of a home to the smallest interior detail, was considered together.
Your approach carefully considers “every detail within the context of a whole” project. How does this look in practice?
It begins long before we’re selecting fabrics or furnishings. We’re thinking about architecture, proportion, natural light, materials, and how someone will move through and experience a space.
A single detail should never exist independently of the larger vision. The profile of a molding, the finish of a door, or the scale of a piece of furniture all contribute to the overall feeling of a home. We spend an enormous amount of time thinking through those relationships. Sometimes the most important design decisions are the ones people will never consciously notice.
How does your building science background influence your design work?
It is one of the greatest advantages I bring to the design process. I understand what happens behind the walls as much as what happens in front of them. That allows me to approach design with both creativity and a practical understanding of how things are actually built. I can envision a detail aesthetically while also understanding the structure, sequencing, and craftsmanship required to execute it.
It also allows our design and construction teams to have more meaningful conversations early in the process. We’re able to resolve challenges before they become compromises. I never want the construction process to limit creativity. I want our knowledge of construction to make better design possible.
River Brook has earned many accolades. Is there a particular award or project that you’re especially proud of?
It’s difficult to choose just one, because different projects and recognitions represent different chapters in our journey.
More recently, receiving international recognition for our work has been incredibly rewarding. In September, we received the Residential Architectural Property Award at the International Design & Architecture Awards in London. It was a moment that reminded us how far this vision has come.
But what makes those moments truly meaningful is the team behind them. None of this happens because of one person. We have incredibly talented people who care deeply about the work, and I never take that for granted.
At the end of the day, the greatest compliment is still a client telling us how much they love living in their home.
What five words best describe your design style?
Timeless. Layered. Collected. Refined. Personal.
Are there any design rules you happily break, or trends you tend to steer clear of?
I don’t believe beautiful design comes from following a strict set of rules.
I love mixing periods, styles, and materials in ways that might not traditionally belong together. An antique can feel completely at home alongside something contemporary when the proportions and relationships are right.
What I tend to avoid is anything that feels overly driven by a moment in time. Trends can be inspiring, but I never want someone to walk into a home we’ve designed ten years from now and immediately know what year it was completed. I would much rather create something that feels as relevant in twenty years as it does today.
What are you working on right now that you’re especially excited about?
We’re fortunate to be working on some really special homes, both here in Birmingham and in other parts of the country. Each project brings a different architectural perspective, setting, and client story, which is what keeps the work exciting.
I’m also incredibly excited about our first book, River Brook: Living with Legacy, published by Beta-Plus. The book represents years of work and captures something that has always been important to us: the idea that a home is about so much more than its architecture or interiors. It’s about the lives lived within it and what we leave behind. Seeing that philosophy come together in a book has been a very special experience.
What’s one design choice that can completely transform how a home looks or feels?
Lighting. Lighting influences the way we experience every material, color, and architectural detail within a space. Natural light is equally important. The way sunlight moves through a home throughout the day can completely change how a room feels.
What’s drawing your eye right now?
I’m continually drawn to materials that have depth, texture, and a sense of history. Beautifully aged stone, rich woods, antique furnishings, sculptural lighting, and textiles that feel as wonderful as they look.
I also love finding pieces that introduce a little unexpected character into a room. Something that doesn’t necessarily match everything else but somehow makes the entire space more interesting.
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
Most of my time outside of work revolves around our three children and spending time together as a family.
Of course, I have a hard time completely turning off my design brain. Whether we’re traveling, visiting a beautiful hotel, or walking through an old building, I’m always noticing something. But those experiences are often where some of my best inspiration comes from.
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Katie Leigh Matthews
A Birmingham native, Katie is a lifelong waterfall chaser and is passionate about the outdoors. She also loves connecting with remarkable women in the Birmingham community and bringing their stories to life. Katie has been writing professionally for over six years; you can find more of her work at Moms.com and Islands.com.
