Transforming ambition into artistry, Andrew Torrey carved an unconventional path from Kansas real estate to Manhattan’s elite design circles, establishing himself as a formidable force in luxury interiors within just five years of founding BA Torrey in 2013. His meteoric rise demonstrates how vision and determination can overcome traditional barriers in an industry typically dominated by formal credentials.
Born in Kansas, Torrey absorbed creativity from his parents’ terrain and nursery business before relocating to New York at twenty-one. The heartland instilled a work ethic that would prove invaluable when he recognized interior design as “a business that was right in front of me” during his real estate career. His property experience revealed how deeply personal homes become for their inhabitants, insight that would shape his client-centered approach. Years of managing public relations, events, and music management provided him with the collaborative skills essential for navigating high-profile client relationships. This emphasis on client engagement aligns with recent trends in interior design that focus on wellness-focused aesthetics and sustainable living.
Without formal design training, Torrey developed a signature aesthetic he describes as “minimalism with a twist,” blending clean contemporary lines with opulent finishes and carefully curated vintage pieces. His spaces achieve what many consider impossible: maintaining pristine modernist principles while incorporating warmth through sumptuous materials and contemporary art. This balance creates residences with “clean, incredible allure” that feel both gallery-worthy and livable.
The design community quickly recognized Torrey’s talent. Jamie Drake’s invitation to participate in the prestigious Kips Bay Decorator Show House arrived just five years after BA Torrey’s founding, a remarkable achievement for any designer, particularly one self-taught.
His firm expanded rapidly from Manhattan to international projects in Miami, London, Los Angeles, and Cabo San Lucas, while maintaining focus on creating spaces where clients “raise children, make memories and love every item.” Recent ventures include transforming a two-bedroom Soho apartment into a sophisticated one-bedroom residence and updating mid-century properties in California’s exclusive enclaves.
Torrey’s philosophy centers on client engagement, believing “indifferent clients” produce the least interesting work. He combines “modern glamour with effortless charm” while keeping his ego subordinate to clients’ visions.
This approach, coupled with his Art Deco-inspired rug line and recent Rizzoli monograph “TORREY: Private Spaces,” positions him among contemporary design’s most compelling voices. His journey from Kansas real estate to international recognition proves that passion and perspective can transcend traditional pathways to creative success.
