Hidden Gems: Meet Rylie Beck and Austin Goldberg of Wood Road Studio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rylie Beck and Austin Goldberg.

Hi Rylie and Austin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Austin: I got my first taste of home design when I moved out at 18. For the first time, I had the freedom to create my own space. I would choose what furniture and art to bring in and experiment with the layout. I was into painting the walls so each room told a story. Most of what I used came from a thrift store or yard sale which was cool because it helped me to develop a vibe.
This became the foundation for how I approached every new space I lived in. Each move felt like a fresh start and a chance to reimagine my pieces in a new way. Around the same time, I discovered my love for hosting. Friends would comment on how the rooms felt and respond to the art on the wall. That gave me the confidence that what I was doing was resonating.
Back then, I was collecting records, learning to DJ, and throwing parties. I would create every event and start with a theme. That helped me to frame the mood so I could build a world around it. I still do this now. I would make sure the music told the story too. After years of hosting parties at other venues, I got the keys to my own in 2018. It was a powerful moment and tipping point because it gave me a chance to build something more lasting and public-facing. Over time, I became more observant and started to tune into the language of design. I was witnessing how space affects people emotionally and energetically. That awareness helped me to navigate design differently in public spaces and at home. Now I see design style as a frequency and when it’s tuned in, it can magnetize people to you.

Rylie: The story of how I got to where I am today has been a winding road of pivots and synchronicities. For as long as I can remember, I have been enamored with all things home and design. While most kids were watching Nickelodeon, I was glued to the Home and Garden Network. Like a sponge, I would soak up every detail of a home transformation. I kept up to date on when Rachel Ray or Martha Stewart released a new line of home goods and would play real estate agent, complete with powerpoint presentations and all. While this was a huge passion of mine growing up, I never thought seriously of it as a career path.

In fact, I was dead set on becoming a ballerina and at age 17, my career started as I entered the professional dance industry. This eventually led to working with a performance art collective where my experience in dance was mixed with the opportunity to create experiential and immersive experiences for brands across the country. This was the first time I got a taste of integrating the passion for design I had as a child into something real and tangible I did for work.

Then came 2020, the world was shifting and I was at a personal crossroads. I knew the performance industry was no longer an aligned fit for me and I stepped away. The past five years have been a sort of homecoming, full of trial, exploration, and asking hard questions that have helped me return to what’s always been true.

I’ve realized my greatest joy and natural talent has always been designing spaces (especially home centered ones) that make others feel comfortable and provide moments of peace in a busy world. Spaces to get back to what I believe matters most in this life, our relationships, our connection to the earth, and our reflection with self. Getting to share this alongside my partner in life and work is the cherry on top.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Austin: Overall it’s been a smooth road. Every project has nuances and spaces have their certain limitations. It’s constantly pushing me to think outside of the box and at the same time sharpening my skills. I like the challenge though and with the infinite amount of choices, it can be refreshing to create within guidelines.

Rylie: Owning a business requires a level of surrender that can be uncomfortable at times, and I think this is something every entrepreneur experiences. But, outside of that comfort zone is growth and clarity. I’ve found over time that it’s important to have a clear understanding of your mission and your truth so that you can continuously come back and check in with it. If I’m no longer in alignment with those things, how do I need to shift and adjust within my business? As you evolve, what’s true for you also evolves. Finding ways to stay present to the evolution will help those shifts feel less dramatic long term.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Wood Road Studio is a full-service design firm specializing in interior design and brand creation. Our focus is design that is real, and lived in. When done intentionally, life effortlessly unfolds around good design. We work with both residential and commercial interior design clients ranging from design consultations, mood boards and furniture sourcing, all the way to full scale renovations and commercial concept buildouts.

Austin: I would say we specialize in creating spaces that you rarely want to leave. Spaces that make you feel something. Imagination is everything. I think our attention to detail sets us apart and our style redefines what it means to be home.

Rylie: One of our most proud moments is a personal design project: a retreat home just outside of Kansas City. We bought a 1970s cedar lake cabin in the summer of 2023 and spent everyday piecing back layer after layer, returning it to its original bones. We envisioned a retreat space, close enough to the city for easy weekend getaways, where guests could slow down, disconnect (literally – the cabin does not have any screens) and immerse themselves into nature. We designed it to feel nostalgic, simple and slow. We filled the space with items we love – there is a vintage speaker system, well stocked bookshelves, an outdoor clawfoot tub, and a canoe for lake excursions. It’s been so rewarding to receive feedback from guests who spend time there reflecting on how healing and peaceful the home feels. We hope to create this type of feeling within every space we design.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Austin: We can attune to the energy of a space. We can feel what it wants to be and transform it into a visual language that showcases the soul of the home.

Rylie: I think adaptability is a key factor to success. The ability to pivot and adjust along the way as life inevitably ebbs and flows is so important versus pushing with resistance.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.woodroad.studio/
• Other: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/948799936744986380?check_in=2025-08-08&check_out=2025-08-10&guests=1&adults=2&s=67&unique_share_id=108bfee2-e1a3-49ff-8c43-a5e5a3538e89