Founder and Principal – Bureau Interior Design
Background
Matt Donahoe leads Bureau Interior Design, a residential studio based in Nashville that draws from a career shaped by retail, hospitality, and global commercial work. His path into design began directly after college, working in store design and merchandising for Abercrombie and Fitch during a period of rapid growth. That role introduced him to large scale rollout, travel intensive work, and the realities of designing within a corporate environment.
From there, Matt moved through retail design roles in Los Angeles and New York before transitioning into hospitality design. While based in New York, he worked on projects for brands such as Four Seasons, Rosewood, Viceroy, and Belmond, contributing to properties across destinations including Brazil, the Maldives, Turkey, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Hawaii. Much of that work focused on making large commercial environments feel residential, layered, and emotionally grounded.
In 2013, Matt relocated to Nashville. After stepping away from commercial design, he launched Bureau in 2017 with a small team, focusing on residential projects and building the studio gradually. Bureau has continued to grow with consistency, shaped by long term client relationships and a deliberate approach to scale.
Approach
Matt approaches both design and business through a designer’s lens. Process is central, but simplicity is equally important. He favors systems that are stripped down and intuitive, avoiding unnecessary layers of technology or complexity. For him, clarity in process supports clarity in creative work.
Geography is not treated as a limitation. Bureau works on projects across the United States and internationally, drawing on Matt’s experience managing remote teams, time zone differences, and complex logistics from his hospitality background. Strong communication, shared vision, and trust form the backbone of these projects, supported by carefully chosen local partners.
Collaboration plays a defining role in Bureau’s work. Matt places high value on relationships beyond interior design, including architects, contractors, workshops, and artisans. Over time, the studio has cultivated a wide network of craftspeople across the country, from upholstery and millwork to metal, stone, and glass fabrication. Supporting other small businesses and building long term partnerships remains a core part of the studio’s identity.
Beyond Design
Outside of project work, Matt draws inspiration from travel, cuisine, art, fashion, architecture, and music. He plans regular trips each year to experience new places and cultures, seeing travel as an essential form of education. Music also plays a constant role in his life, with tastes shaped by years spent living in different cities and environments.
Balance is an ongoing practice. Matt is open about the demands of running a studio and the importance of recognizing personal limits. Recharging might mean disconnecting for a day, spending time with family and friends, or stepping away to reset before returning with clarity and energy. That awareness, paired with honesty and self reflection, continues to shape both his leadership style and the culture at Bureau.
