Teresa Ryback

As seen in SNAP, December 2009

Principal and Founder of tdSwansburg design studio, Teresa Ryback, is an expert in creating simple and sophisticated interiors. Teresa founded her firm in 2000 in Vancouver and opened an office in Victoria after she and her husband relocated to Vancouver Island. Her work has been featured in numerous publications and earlier this year she was recognized in Spectacular Homes of Western Canada, an exclusive showcase of Western Canada's finest designers (Hardcover). tdSwansburg has garnered both multiple CARE and Georgie Awards for design excellence.

Interior by tdSwansburg Design Studio

Iván - How does this item reflect upon your personal design philosophy?

Teresa Ryback – "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication" - This piece embodies my design philosophy: simple, elegant, timeless and functional with a touch of glamour-!

Interior by tdSwansburg Design Studio

Iván Meade – What was your first experience with design?

Teresa Ryback – I am an Artist first and my early experiences include carving soap figures and creating charcoal sketches of my surroundings, my family, my friends and my pets-! Early in my career, I co-owned a boutique specializing in hand painted fashions and hand painted interior decor accessories. I still enjoy oil painting and have an art studio in my Island home.

Interior by tdSwansburg Design Studio

Iván Meade – How would you describe your style?

Teresa Ryback – I would describe my style as a refined, elegant approach to West Coast interiors. The blending of natural woods and stone with luxurious materials and modern design elements--tdSwansburg’s projects reflect modern sophistication with an affinity for nature.

Interior by tdSwansburg Design Studio

Iván Meade – What designers of past and present do you admire most?

Teresa Ryback – I love the work of Billy Baldwin as he was a classicist and a modernist and I also admire the bold, confident style of Dorothy Draper. Current designers that capture my attention are Philippe Starck and Barbara Barry.

Interior by tdSwansburg Design Studio

Iván Meade – What do you consider to be your greatest strength and your greatest weakness?

Teresa Ryback – My greatest strength is my ability to visualize a space completed, including the smallest details. My weakness... I'm an impatient perfectionist.

Interior by tdSwansburg Design Studio

Iván Meade – You have done a great deal of lottery homes, what keeps you coming back for more?

Teresa Ryback – Once we present our design vision for the project and it is accepted by the board members, we are given the freedom to design a luxury dream home. In many of the projects, we work with the architects and builders assuring the integrity of the final vision is intact. Most importantly, the Lottery Home projects serve great causes such as the BC Children's Hospital and Peace Arch Hospital foundation.

Interior by tdSwansburg Design Studio

Iván Meade – How/why did you start your own firm? Could you tell me a little about the history of your company?

Teresa Ryback – I paralleled my design education with work experience, learning the diversity of a career in Interior Design. In 2001, I was given the opportunity to present a design proposal for the 2002 BC Children's Lottery Home. I was competing against large, well established firms and was awarded the contract. I completed the 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 homes winning my first two Georgie Awards. The exposure from these public projects positioned tdSwansburg design studio in the luxury residential market. We have not looked back-!

Interior by tdSwansburg Design Studio

Iván Meade – What was it like to be published in Spectacular Homes of Western Canada?

Teresa Ryback – It was an honour to be invited to participate in the publication. Spectacular Homes of Western Canada allows the firm to showcase it's work not only in Western Canada but nationally and abroad.

Interior by tdSwansburg Design Studio

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Iván Meade – Lastly, you have already created a stunning body of work in your own signature style. What would you like your legacy to be?

Teresa Ryback – ­­That I inspired…

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