From Childhood Curiosity to Creative Calling
Long before she formally entered the world of interior design, Maye Ruiz was already cultivating the very instincts that would define her career. As a child, she found joy in the meticulous organization of her grandmother’s bookshelves and the imaginative repurposing of everyday objects, transforming a wicker planter into a side table. This innate drive to arrange and reinvent persisted into adulthood, eventually revealing itself as a profound calling. “Over time, I understood that the same impulse was still there,” Ruiz reflects. “That’s when I knew that designing and shaping spaces was much more than a game – it was my vocation.”
Art, particularly the enigmatic works of Hieronymus Bosch, left an indelible mark on young Maye. She would pore over books depicting the Dutch master’s scenes of the afterlife, a captivating blend of intrigue and terror. This early fascination with layered details and hidden narratives continues to inform her creative process today, infusing her designs with depth and a sense of discovery.
After honing her skills through university studies in interior design, Ruiz established Maye Estudio in 2021, based in the vibrant artistic hub of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Specializing in residential and hospitality projects, her signature is an unapologetically bold use of color. Ruiz, who admits to being easily distracted in her youth, has transformed her ability to improvise into one of her greatest strengths, thriving on finding innovative solutions in the moment. Her constant exploration of materials is often accompanied by the creation of intricate stories for the rooms she envisions. Beyond her design work, Ruiz harbors a desire to explore storytelling through other mediums. “I am a huge fan of long, winding conversations, and I think a podcast would be the perfect excuse to dive deep into unexpected topics,” she notes.
A Designer’s Five Essential Inspirations
Maye Ruiz shares the five elements that fuel her creativity and ground her unique vision:
1. The Dynamic Red Tiled Bookshelves
“My red tiled bookshelf is one of my favorite spots at home,” Ruiz reveals. More than just storage, it’s a living canvas where she orchestrates a symphony of books, found objects, and inspiring design pieces. This space perfectly encapsulates her obsession with reorganization and experimentation, a constant dance of shifting elements and unexpected juxtapositions. It’s a powerful reminder that creativity isn’t solely born from a blank slate, but from the continuous interplay with what already exists, where contrasts breathe life into each other.
2. Unearthing Gems in Unpretentious Tile Shops
For Ruiz, a visit to a material shop—not the polished, high-end variety, but the genuine, unpretentious kind—is a potent antidote to creative ruts. These spaces, brimming with authentic human creativity, often yield the most profound inspiration. She recalls a wall in Dolores Hidalgo, adorned with simple tiles transformed by color into a vibrant pattern. It’s a testament to her belief that inspiration can be found in the most everyday settings, provided one pays close attention.
3. The Poetic Language of Lamp Sketches
Beyond crafting entire spaces, Ruiz is increasingly drawn to the creation of individual objects. Her lamp sketches, a collection from some time ago, beautifully articulate her passion for color, postmodern aesthetics, and playful yet sophisticated forms. She finds a balance between her often “messy inner world” and the calming order of geometry and symmetry. For Ruiz, drawing remains an authentic and fundamental starting point for any creative endeavor.
4. Quesadilla: An Anchor to the Present
For someone as deeply immersed in thought as Maye Ruiz, her dog, Quesadilla (named after the beloved Mexican dish), serves as an invaluable anchor to the present moment. Quesadilla’s unwavering presence offers a vital connection, a source of rejuvenation, and a wellspring of inspiration, helping Ruiz reconnect with herself and recharge her creative energy.
5. Hieronymus Bosch’s Enduring Vision of Tondal
One of Ruiz’s earliest and most impactful visual discoveries was the work of Hieronymus Bosch, particularly “The Vision of Tondal.” As a child, she stumbled upon her grandmother’s Bosch volume and was captivated by the intricate, terrifying beauty of his infernal scenes. This profound exposure to such detailed symbolism and hidden narratives left an indelible mark, shaping her appreciation for depth and storytelling within design.
Maye Estudio: Crafting Immersive Experiences
Maye Estudio’s portfolio showcases a remarkable ability to transform spaces into immersive, narrative-driven environments:
Carmín: A Bar Transformed by Night
Located in Mexico City’s iconic Coyoacán neighborhood, Carmín is a bar designed to evolve with the evening. Beginning as an intimate setting for small bites, it gradually morphs into a vibrant, red-hued nightclub, where music and dance take center stage. The interior design, spearheaded by Maye Estudio, drew inspiration from the haunting atmosphere of the 1970s Italian horror film
Suspiria. This cinematic muse provided the foundation for a space steeped in mysticism, intensity, and drama. At its heart lies a monumental bar, crowned by a deep red textile canopy, serving as the central axis that illuminates and defines the entire experience.
Bekeb: A Sanctuary for Mixology
Bekeb stands as a testament to select mixology, a sophisticated bar led by one of the most renowned mixologists in the field. Maye Estudio’s design for Bekeb undoubtedly reflects a similar dedication to craft, detail, and an elevated sensory experience, creating a fitting backdrop for exceptional libations and discerning patrons.
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