Modern Matter Blog
Collaborator Spotlight: Eddie Ross
Designer Eddie Ross is best known for his maximalist creative spirit—layering modern with vintage into an alluring style. From faceted knobs in faux tortoise to solid brass bamboo pulls, Eddie scoured through his vast collection of antiques and collectibles to create distinctive hardware with timeless appeal.
Add modern glamour to cabinets and vanities or uplift your treasured furniture with these heirloom quality knobs and pulls. Eddie's valuable design perspective comes from years as a design, decorating, and food editor for Better Homes & Gardens, Food Network, Martha Stewart Living, and House Beautiful
Q: Tell us about how you have developed your eye for design.
A: I grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut, surrounded by beautiful homes, and when I was catering during culinary school, I would go into all these gorgeous properties on the weekends. I would see so many different and unusual houses decorated by famous interior designers. And that, combined with my love for flea markets, antique shows, and thrift stores, really helped me develop my style and what I like.
Q: You have previously worked as a design, decorating, and food editor for several magazines; how have these experiences shaped your design decisions?
A: The thing about working in the editorial world is that you're not a designer per se, but you're an editor. You need to edit down what people need to see and what will resonate with the reader because if not, they're just gonna flip the page.
You are doing all the work from the viewer's point of view, and that perspective has really helped me. And that carries to when going into a flea market, an estate sale, or an antique store, and having an eye that hones in on those good pieces.
Q: How has your style changed over the years?
A: My style has changed a lot, honestly, cause of Covid. Before the pandemic and stay-at-home orders, I loved living with lots of colors and patterns. But when I was at home, for days without leaving the house, it was kind of making me crazy. So, I went into layering patterns and textures in a neutral vibe to give more of a relaxing but still interesting feel.
Q: Maximalist Studios has a vast library of vintage pieces that have been collected over the years. Can you share with us some of your favorite finds? What do you look for when shopping?
A: When I'm out and about, I always look for things that have a purpose. I don't like collecting or buying things that you have to dust. I like things that have an intent. Items that you can use for flowers or serving food, decorative boxes that you can store stuff in, or books...I like to collect beautiful but usable things.
One of my favorite items now is a big chinoiserie-style duck terrine from Mottahedeh.
Q: What was your inspiration for The Signet Collection line?
A: The Signet Collection was inspired by family crest rings, intaglio rings, signet rings, escutcheons on antique boxes, and decorative pieces. I wanted this line to evoke a sense of family heirloom—like jewelry you pass down, the pieces in this hardware collection will belong to a family for generations.
Q: Walk us through your creative process of designing the Signet Collection.
A: I started by collecting things that I liked: vintage boxes that have beautiful escutcheons, imagery of family crest rings, and buying vintage items that inspired me. Having that clear inspiration and visual aids helped to shape the collection into all things that inspired me.
Q: How do you envision the Signet Collection being used?
A: I envision this collection primarily on furniture but also on kitchens, baths, and living rooms—it really can be used in all areas of the home that need hardware. You touch hardware every single day; it should be beautiful and also feel good in your hand.
Q: What do you look for when sourcing hardware?
A: I look for items made with solid brass and that are well-constructed. But I also look for weight, scale, and proportion.
words of wisdom
Eddie Ross
Expert tip: Mix and match. You don't want the hardware in a kitchen to feel like a store display. It's more interesting when you mix collections together. Play with scale and shapes.
Favorite finish: Polished Brass
Favorite gemstone: Malachite
Describe your style in 3 words: eclectic, well-traveled, and personal
Pets: Chutney and Shiitake, our pekingese dogs.
