In Profile:
DBM Studio

Name: Mahsa Ghoizadeh

Company Name: DBM Studio

Position Within Company: CEO/ Design Director

Website: www.wearedbm.com

Tell us a little about your background in design

I am an Iranian-Australian interior designer and the Founder and Design Director of DBM Studio, an award-winning boutique design practice based in Dubai. Growing up in a creative household, I developed a deep appreciation for art, craftsmanship, and self-expression from an early age. This passion eventually led me to pursue Interior Architecture in Australia before building my career across the globe.

Over the past decade, I have worked across hospitality, commercial, retail, and residential sectors, creating spaces that balance creativity with functionality and emotional connection. In 2018, I founded DBM Studio with the vision of designing environments that go beyond aesthetics to create memorable experiences and meaningful human connections.

Today, I lead a multidisciplinary team delivering projects internationally, with a particular passion for hospitality design. I believe the most successful spaces have a distinct identity and evoke emotion, revealing themselves through layers of design, materiality, atmosphere, and detail. My work is driven by the idea that great design should not only be seen, but felt.

How would you describe your personal design style?

My design style is highly intuitive. Rather than following a fixed aesthetic, I allow each project to reveal its own identity through its context, purpose, people, and the emotions it should evoke.

Across my work, there is often a strong sense of character expressed through layered visual narratives, rich materiality, and thoughtful craftsmanship. I am drawn to diversity in materials, textures, artwork, and bespoke details that create depth and discovery within a space. While some may describe my approach as maximalist, every element is carefully curated to contribute to a cohesive story and experience.

Ultimately, I believe great design should make people feel something. Whether bold and dramatic or subtle and contemplative, my goal is to create spaces with soul, authenticity, and a lasting emotional connection.

Where does your design inspiration come from?

My inspiration comes from people, culture, art, travel, and the emotions that a space is meant to evoke. I am particularly inspired by human behaviour and how people interact with their surroundings. Before thinking about colours, materials, or forms, I like to understand the feeling a space should create and the experience it should offer.

Having lived across different cultures, I am also influenced by the richness of heritage, craftsmanship, and local traditions. I often draw inspiration from fashion, fine art, nature, and hospitality experiences around the world. Rather than following trends, I am inspired by creating spaces with a strong sense of identity that feel authentic, timeless, and emotionally engaging.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?

I believe design is moving towards greater authenticity and human connection. As people become increasingly surrounded by digital experiences, they are seeking spaces that feel more personal, meaningful, and emotionally engaging.

We are also seeing a renewed appreciation for craftsmanship, natural materials, sustainability, and bespoke elements that create a sense of individuality. Rather than spaces that simply look beautiful, there is a growing focus on how environments make people feel and how they contribute to well-being.

I believe the future of design lies in creating immersive experiences that engage multiple senses, tell a cohesive story, and leave a lasting impression. The most successful spaces will be those that balance innovation with authenticity, creating places that people genuinely connect with and remember.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in the future

Authenticity – Creating spaces with a genuine sense of identity.
Sustainability – Designing responsibly with long-term environmental impact in mind.
Well-being – Prioritising physical, emotional, and social comfort.
Craftsmanship – Celebrating quality, detail, and the value of handmade elements.
Adaptability – Designing spaces that can evolve alongside changing lifestyles and needs.

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to designing, what would it be?

Design with intention.

Every decision, from the overall concept to the smallest detail, should have a purpose. Trends come and go, but thoughtful design that responds to people, context, and function will always stand the test of time.

How important are The International Hotel & Property Awards?

The International Hotel & Property Awards are highly respected within the hospitality and design industry because they celebrate projects that successfully combine creativity, innovation, functionality, and guest experience.

What makes these awards particularly valuable is their international reach and the calibre of projects and professionals they attract. They provide an opportunity for designers, operators, and developers to showcase their work on a global platform while sharing ideas that continue to elevate industry standards.

Being recognised by the awards is not only a reflection of great design, but also of the collaboration, craftsmanship, and dedication of the many people involved in bringing a vision to life.

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?

Over the next twelve months, my focus is on continuing to grow DBM Studio while remaining true to the quality, creativity, and attention to detail that define our work. As a boutique practice, it is important to me that growth never comes at the expense of design excellence or client experience.

We are particularly excited to expand our presence within the hospitality sector, with a strong focus on boutique hotels and unique destination-driven experiences. Hospitality remains one of the most rewarding sectors for me because of its ability to create lasting memories and meaningful connections through design.

Internally, we are focused on strengthening our team, investing in talent, and creating an environment where creativity and collaboration can thrive. We are also preparing for the next chapter of the studio with the move to a new office that will support our continued growth and ambitions.

Above all, my goal is simple: to continue delivering exceptional projects that push creative boundaries while exceeding our clients’ expectations.

Your most treasured possession?

My most treasured possession is probably my collection of sketchbooks and notebooks accumulated over the years. They contain ideas, observations, concepts, sketches, and moments of inspiration gathered throughout my personal and professional journey.

For me, they represent much more than drawings on paper; they are a record of how I see the world, how ideas evolve, and the creative process behind the spaces we eventually bring to life.

Your favourite holiday destination?

It is difficult to choose just one destination, as I find inspiration in different places for different reasons.

Sintra, Portugal, is one of my favourites because of its sense of mystery, rich history, and layered architecture. There is something magical about the way nature, landscape, and design intertwine to create such a unique atmosphere.

Budapest also left a lasting impression on me with its incredible architecture, craftsmanship, and timeless elegance. I was particularly inspired by the city’s attention to detail and the way its historic buildings continue to shape its identity today.

For natural beauty, Cape Town is hard to surpass. The dramatic scenery, mountains, ocean, and connection to nature create an unforgettable experience and a constant source of inspiration.

Each destination has influenced me in different ways and continues to shape how I think about design, culture, and the relationship between people and place.

Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?

Hotel: Cristine Bedfor – I love its intimate atmosphere, layered interiors, and the feeling of staying in a beautifully curated home rather than a hotel. The richness of the design, attention to detail, and strong sense of character make it a truly memorable experience.
Restaurant: Isabel Mayfair – A space that is particularly close to my heart because of its distinctive character, bespoke artwork, craftsmanship, and richly layered design. It is a project that reflects many of the values I believe make hospitality design memorable.
Bar: Múzsa – I was captivated by the way it reinterprets Budapest’s Art Nouveau heritage through a contemporary lens. Set within the historic Gresham Palace, it beautifully balances craftsmanship, history, and modern hospitality, creating an atmosphere that feels both sophisticated and timeless.

Your favourite book, film & song?

Book: Becoming Becoming Supernatural by Dr. Joe Dispenza
Film: Interstellar
Song: Experience by Ludovico Einaudi

Your favourite food and drink?

Food: Pizza for sure
Drink: I am coffee lover

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?

It depends on the day. On a weekend, nothing makes me happier than feeling the sand beneath my feet on a beautiful beach. I also enjoy exploring galleries and discovering new artists and exhibitions. When I have the time, one of my favourite ways to spend an afternoon is picking up a paintbrush and losing myself in the creative process, adding another stroke to a canvas.

If you weren’t in this sector, what would your alternative profession be?

If I were not a designer, I would most likely be a quantum physicist or a neuroscientist. I have always been fascinated by the mysteries of the universe, consciousness, and the relationship between the mind and reality. The concepts of the quantum field, human potential, and how we experience the world continue to inspire me both personally and professionally.

While design explores how we shape physical spaces, these fields explore the nature of existence itself. In many ways, they are both driven by the same curiosity: understanding how the world works and our place within it.