The Interior Designers Behind Hollywood’s Inspired Homes

Interior designers have always been celebrated by those in Hollywood who understand the alchemy they perform in mixing art, architecture, psychology, history, math, mind-reading and diplomacy to create gorgeous spaces that are also welcoming homes. Variety spotlights 10 interior design firms and the artists behind them who are indispensable to the entertainment industry.

Gavin Brodin, Brodin Design Build

Brodin taps into “luxury with ease” for his clients. “We believe that true luxury is not just about opulence but about creating spaces that are as comfortable and effortless as they are stunning,” he notes about his firm’s design philosophy. “Luxury should be lived in, and our goal is to make sure it feels natural and intuitive for those who inhabit it,” he adds. Post-lockdown, he sees that “people are seeking homes that offer a deeper connection to nature and flexibility in how spaces are used. There’s a clear shift toward indoor-outdoor living — clients want seamless transitions between their interiors and exteriors, with outdoor spaces becoming as livable and comfortable as the inside.” Brodin also notes that more clients are demanding multifunctional spaces. “People want rooms that can adapt — home offices that convert into guest rooms or living areas that flow into entertainment spaces,” he says. And while clients are more educated about interior design than ever, what’s important to Brodin and his team is storytelling: “to refine and elevate their vision, ensuring that the end result isn’t just a collection of beautiful things, but a space that tells a cohesive story and flows effortlessly.”

Angie Socias Coppel, Coppel Design
Post-lockdown, people are seeking homes that offer more flexibility and functionality, says Socias Coppel. “While the ‘nesting’ stage during the lockdown led to a focus on comfort and coziness, now the emphasis has shifted to creating spaces that adapt to a more dynamic lifestyle. Clients want multifunctional areas that can transition from work to relaxation with ease, as well as outdoor spaces that feel like an extension of the home.” She notes that there’s a trend for “wellness-focused design — whether it’s through natural materials, better lighting or creating serene, uncluttered environments that promote mental and physical well-being. People are looking for homes that support their day-to-day lives while still providing comfort and a sense of luxury.” Her design philosophy is simple: It’s “all about translating what’s in my clients’ minds into a tangible reality.”

Ashley Drost and Marie Trohman, Proem

Drost’s approach comes from a love of architecture (“I love to kind of pull inspiration from what the bones of the building are”) while Trohman studied to be an art restorationist, with a background in art and chemistry. “We love being able to use different parts of our knowledge of design. So we pull from historical references, but then also, we look for client input. We are just always pulling from everywhere,” says Trohman. “We always kind of end up in the same place but coming at it from two very different perspectives. I think that’s why our partnership works,” says Drost. Emma Chamberlain and Lucy Hale are two recent clients who the pair enthuses about working with. “One of our questions whenever we’re interviewing with clients or starting a project, is, why now? And so I think there’s usually a change happening, and I think that’s what we’re always trying to capture, like what is happening in their life right now, and what looks like it’s coming up, and what are we responding to?” says Trohman.

Rafael Kalichstein and Joshua Rose, Citizen Artist

The married couple have been in business for about 19 years and brought already lived-in lives to their interior design shop — Kalichstein comes from the world of alternative medicine while Rose is an Emmy-winning VFX artist. “We were full people before we came to design, so I think that’s contextually important,” says Kalichstein. They rebranded as Citizen Artist two years ago to step “into really understanding who we were as a company and as designers and our philosophy,” says Kalichstein. Citizen Artist has partnerships with Global Views (furniture and decorative objects), Mehraban (rugs), Left Bank art and Dempsey & Carroll (stationary). Rose notes: “One of our other ethos — that we’ve now made our moniker — is ‘make it fantastic.’ It was birthed from — and this is again something we found at the very beginning of our careers — a wonderful quote from Carlo Mollino, the incredibly talented Italian architect. And he said, ‘Everything is permissible as long as it is fantastic.’”

Alexandra and Michael Misczynski, AM Atelier
Regular fixtures on Architectural Digest’s AD100, this couple launched their firm in 2002. With offices in both New York and Los Angeles, the Misczynskis have published design books illustrating their embrace of quiet luxury that manages to create intimate, familiar spaces for their elite clients, who include Tom Cruise and Michael Eisner. In “Houses: Atelier AM,” Alexandra wrote, “I have always maintained that the integration of different furniture genres coupled with a mix of textures, colors and patina are what make an interior space warm, inviting and personal. Whether they are purchased with someone in mind or for oneself, furnishings and objects should reflect their owner and be respectful of their context.”

Kishani Perera, Kishani Perera Interior Design

Perera preaches collaboration with her clients, something that her 20-plus years in the business has shown is the best way to create interiors that are beautiful and resonate with their style of living. “Even though there’s kind of a through line in all of my work, and you can see my perspective in every project, every project still looks pretty different, because it’s really a reflection of the homeowner and the client,” she says. Perera launched her Healthy Homes initiative after she spent years fighting health problems, until finally, a doctor told her it was mold. “And the more I talk about it, the more I learned of people with similar issues,” she says. Healthy Homes incorporates as much sustainable and nontoxic materials as possible in construction and design, from products like Hempcrete to using wool as insulation to home water filtration systems. “My goal is to bring as much awareness to the building side of it,” she says. Her clients include Kaitlin Olson and Rob McIlhenny (“Welcome to Wrexham” viewers can see Perera’s work in scenes shot in their home), Josh Radnor, Colin Hanks, Gary Oldman, Glen Howerton and Emily Deschanel.

Louisa Pierce and Emily Ward, Pierce & Ward

The duo mixes vintage elements, bold color and patterns for a chic look that is also entirely inviting and warm. In their 2020 book, “A Tale of Interiors,” they lean into the term “The Art of the More”: “So while some obsess over paring down, whittling away and emptying out, you’ll find us filling up, piling high and stocking troves.” Indeed, the pair are staples on the Architectural Digest AD100 list, while recent clients include Emma Roberts, Johnny Galecki and Josh Brolin, who also buy into their visions of “organized abundance” and “ungaudy decadence.” For those who are on a budget, check out Pierce & Ward’s thriving online store with pieces at every price point as well as their brick-and-mortar outlet in Los Feliz.

Brigette Romanek, Romanek Design Studio

The title of Romanek’s book, “Livable Luxe,” is also her design philosophy. “The point is to make a space that supports you and makes one’s life better. It’s all about mixing, creating something beautiful, livable, eclectic and soulful,” she says. While the proliferation of home shows has “brought more people into the world of design, which I absolutely love!,” she says, her clients are definitely more educated about what they want and need. “Some clients come in with ideas and inspiration they’ve gathered from different places. That’s fantastic because it means they’re invested in the process. My role is to take those ideas and bring them to life in a way that’s functional, cohesive and stunning,” Romanek says. “Rooms need to easily shift between relaxing, working and entertaining. It’s about creating a space that is yours and can be enjoyed to the fullest.”

Ryan Saghian, Ryan Saghian Interior Design Studio

The author of “Unapologetically Chic” notes that post-lockdown, “People are ready to live out loud again. We’re done with safe, neutral spaces that feel like a retreat. Now, clients want their homes to be a reflection of their personality, their adventures, their bold taste.” Saghian’s Mode de Vie curates furniture, art, lighting and accessories to help get that bold and luxe look. “Think luxurious materials, dramatic lighting and curated statement pieces. It’s about creating spaces that not only look incredible but are also versatile — where you can entertain, relax or just enjoy the sheer beauty of what you’ve built. It’s not about just having a home anymore; it’s about creating your own personal world.” Saghian has cultivated a strong online presence. “My design philosophy is rooted in the belief that luxury should evoke emotion. I’ve always believed that design is about creating chic moments that stop you in your tracks… My approach challenges the norms, mixing materials, periods and styles in a way that feels both raw and refined,” he says. That creates timeless yet provocative spaces. “I don’t subscribe to a one-size-fits-all mentality; design should always celebrate the individuality of the people who live within it.”

Kara Smith, KES Studios

For Smith, “It’s about crafting environments that are special, feel good but blend luxury with comfort.” She has worked with Pete Wentz, Jasmine Tookes, Fergie, Tracy Tutor and a cache of other boldface names. “Our clientele is incredibly educated and well experienced in interiors and art, often being so well traveled that they are aware of materials, styles, what’s hot or just a trend, etc. Sometimes it’s almost as if they are in the interior design business,” she notes. Post-pandemic, she says that “Nesting is here to stay! More than ever, we are creating homes that are sanctuaries, the sexiest entertainment venues, best wellness experience, multi-media and more. Homes are really where our clients spend the majority of their time, and we have taken creating special enclaves to the next level.”