Grazia Pakistan sat down with the uber talented Mahnoor Khan of @Interiorsbykhan to get to know her better and find out about her creative path!
How did @Interiorsbykhan come about?
I always knew I wanted to be an interior designer. I had strong influences drawing me towards the creative field, my mother herself being an event planner and interior designer. I’m just following in her footsteps.
What elements define your style? Where do you find inspiration? Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration in the most random places. I think my year in Florence really broadened my perspective. I was a modernist but I fell in love with the more classical elements.
Is there a particular style you follow with your work?
I find inspiration in the most random places. I think my year in Florence really broadened my perspective. I was a modernist but I fell in love with the more classical elements.
How do you decide which projects are a good fit for you?
It’s a learning process. I like to meet with the client and get a feel of what they want. Every client has their own personal style preference. I know a project is a good fit for me if it excites me, or is one that I can implement both the clients’ wishes and my personal style to it.
Do you welcome client involvement or do you prefer clients to be hands-off?
There needs to be a balance. Client input is crucial for residential projects, especially. You have to create a space that they can enjoy and feel comfortable in. It’s their home. I’ve been lucky enough to have clients that trusted me to take the reins but I make sure I involve them in every step of the way.
What questions do you typically ask your clients before getting to work and how do the answers factor into your design decisions?
For design, I ask them to send me references of what they like and colours they prefer. Does their design aesthetic lean towards classical elements or is it more streamlined? In terms of functionality, it’s important to understand what the space or product will be used for.
Do you consider aestheticism or functionality to be more important and why? Did you ever have to compromise one for the other?
Both. It’s always a compromise. Aesthetics without functionality is not smart design and functionality without aesthetics, is not design.
Which section of your portfolio are you most proud of? What does it reflect in you as an interior designer?
My portfolio reflects my boldness, I don’t shy away from playing with colours and making statements with the spaces/products I design. I think the best is yet to come.
