CASA TANUKI

ABOUT RUTH SAFDIE

FOUNDER OF CASA TANUKI | INTERIOR DESIGNER, ARTIST & FURNITURE DESIGNER

A native of New York City with an international perspective, Ruth Safdie was raised between Geneva, São Paulo, Panama City, and New York—immersed in a vibrant blend of cultures, aesthetics, and traditions. Coming from a distinguished banking family, and as the daughter of Gabriel Safdie of Safdie Bank and the Commercial Bank of New York, Ruth was exposed early on to a world of refinement, discretion, and global diversity. Surrounded by individuals of many religions, nationalities, and lifestyles, she developed a natural fluency in adapting to people and understanding their needs—skills that now define her highly personalized approach to design.

Ruth’s design journey began in Panama, where she first gained recognition creating serene bedrooms and coastal residences for private clients. These early projects emerged from a deeper purpose—her initiative The High Mid Low, a charitable platform she founded to support education in underserved communities and to raise funds for an elderly care center through curated art auctions. What began as a humanitarian effort evolved into a design philosophy rooted in intention, compassion, and creativity. The High Mid Low has since grown into Studio Safdie, the foundation of her multidisciplinary practice.

Through Safdie Design, Ruth crafts interiors that embody timeless elegance, cultural nuance, and emotional depth. As an interior designer, artist, and furniture designer, she often collaborates with contemporary creatives to produce bespoke pieces that reflect the soul of each space. Her work is distinguished by a balance of function and poetry—shaped by global influence and guided by artistic intuition.

Educated at the New York School of Interior Design, Ruth refined her technical expertise in spatial planning, materials, and composition. Her early professional experience at Natalie Kraiem Interiors—featured in Architectural Digest and Elle Decor—and later at Kreëmart, where she explored the relationship between art, food, and conceptual storytelling, further shaped her creative identity.

Fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French, Ruth works with clients across continents, effortlessly navigating cultural contexts to deliver interiors that feel personal, enduring, and original. Her work transcends trends—guided instead by story, craftsmanship, and an innate sense of beauty.

For those seeking a designer who is also a curator, artist, and storyteller, Ruth Safdie offers a singular vision—where refined interiors are born from global understanding and designed with heart.