Trish Khoury is the founder of Grace Interior Designs, one of Melbourne’s Top 8 Interior Design Studios. Grace Interior Designs provides practical solutions and beautiful interiors without compromising on functionality. Trish Khoury started studying interior design in London as a ‘hobby’ but soon professionalized it founding her firm. We had this incredible opportunity to talk to Trish in an exclusive interview to get to know more about her career and future in the interior design industry.
Trish Khoury
Career
Best Interior Designers: How did you get involved in the interior design Industry?
Trish Khoury: I was studying interior design in London, part-time, as a hobby. At the time I had built a career as a corporate fundraiser working for various not-for-profit organizations in Melbourne and London. But I had become restless with of this career path and was looking for a change. I was also keen to find a way to work for myself, so I thought I would study interior design to see if it was a good fit.
Best Interior Designers: How would you describe your work style? Do you have any kind of signatures that help to identify your projects?
Trish Khoury: My work style is collaborative. I like to work in partnership with my clients. My interior design style is truly diverse. I have a great appreciation of global interior design and architecture. Both historical and present day. Therefore, I draw from a variety of influences to create unique spaces for my clients, their own version of an aspirational space.
Best Interior Designers: Being in love with our work is always the key to achieving better results. Are you in love with this job? What do you love most about being an interior designer?
Trish Khoury: My vision is to make the world a more beautiful place, one space at a time. So I love bringing beauty into my client’s lives and helping them realise a long held dream of working with an interior design and living in a beautiful space.
Best Interior Designers: What is your philosophy on design and life?
Trish Khoury: The ethos of my studio is accessibility, communication and collaboration. In life I think honesty and integrity go a long way. My studio is client focused. I don’t impose my own style on my clients. I work hard to realise their version of aspirational spaces.
Inspiration
Best Interior Designers: Keeping up to date on all the trends is essential for anyone who wants to conquer this market. In what ways do you keep current with new trends?
Trish Khoury: I disagree, I don’t follow trends, I think they can impede creativity. Often I have an idea and it’s limited by what’s available in the market or what’s on-trend. I find this frustrating for my clients. I’m looking to provide unique design solutions for my clients. A space that reflects their own design story.
Best Interior Designers: Which major international events do you attend/follow to get the latest novelties?
Trish Khoury: I enjoy the London Design Festival, which I last attended pre-COVID in 2019.
Best Interior Designers: How would you describe your personal decorating style?
Trish Khoury: European, old soul.
Best Interior Designers: All artists need some inspiration to work, and interior designers are artists too. So, what or who really inspires you?
Trish Khoury: I’m mostly inspired by travel, film, and art.
Best Interior Designers: Inspiration is something that pushes everyone to create unique things. What makes you see the world in a different way?
Trish Khoury: My cultural heritage encourages me to see the world in a different way. I am Australian but I have a mix of Greek, Egyptian and Lebanese heritage. I have traveled extensively and lived in London for seven years. My life experience and my passion for all things creative help me see the world in a different way. As well as an innate curiosity.
Best Interior Designers: If you had to pick one project around the world that you wish was made by you, which one would it be?
Trish Khoury: Berner’s Taven, London. Amazing art, respectful to the architectural history of the building, luxurious.
Projects
Best Interior Designers: How important is a perfect chemistry between you and your clients to achieve the best results?
Trish Khoury: Communication is key with a client. The client also needs to let you lead and trust you to take them through the design process successfully.
Best Interior Designers: Choosing the best pieces to compose a project can be the secret to getting the best overall result. Although it seems easy, this is a delicate task and needs full attention on time to execute. Do you have some tips for those who do not know well how to start a challenge like this?
Trish Khoury: A good understanding and knowledge of local and international suppliers is helpful in finding the right piece for a project. This comes through research, experience and word of mouth. Also, not being afraid to speak to trusted industry contacts about what you’re looking for can often lead to uncovering stunning pieces.
Best Interior Designers: Do you think working with teams in interior design is better or worse than working alone? Why?
Trish Khoury: It’s neither better nor worse. A team presents the opportunity for multiple ideas and greater innovation. I consider my clients as part of my team and their feedback on my concepts has led to some interesting outcomes.
Future
Best Interior Designers: Is there anything exciting that you are working on at the moment that you can tell us about?
Trish Khoury: A full house refurbishment where the client’s style goal is very eclectic, providing a fascinating opportunity to be more adventurous. And a contemporary bachelor pad inspired by Batman’s mansion.
Best Interior Designers: What has been your greatest accomplishment as a designer? What goals do you have for the future?
Trish Khoury: Making my clients happy is my greatest accomplishment and realizing their interior design dreams. For the future I would like my studio, Grace Interior Designs to enter the accommodation design market.
Also, to grow my blog The Design Basics. This is an Australian furniture and homewares blog with furniture packages for different rooms in different styles. My aim with this blog is to further make interior design accessible, alleviate confusion when furnishing your home, and minimize expensive furniture mistakes. It’s an opportunity to reach an Australian-wide audience with designer-created furniture packages.
Best Interior Designers: Do you have a favorite project or a favorite story about one of your projects?
Trish Khoury: This is like asking a parent if they have a favorite child. There is something special about all my projects. Design is an organic process, full of happy accidents that lead to amazing outcomes.
What did you think about this exclusive interview with Trish Khoury, from Grace Interior Designs?
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