Design Your Dream Home: Top Arab American Luxury Interior Designer Dahlia Mahmood Shares Her Top 5 Easy Home Decor Tips
“From home offices, gyms to bedroom and bathroom sanctuaries… design has become the new “comfort food”. A top influencer in Interior Design, today’s woman dreamer, Dahlia Mahmood, shares her top 5 tips to home decor. A creative spirit, Dahlia started her design entrepreneur career at the age of 17, has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, and has built her brand of simplicity and elegance. Dahlia addresses impacts of the pandemic on the home design industry, how journey as a young Arab-American woman in the creative space, and her top tips on where to start on any home decor/design project. A must read - enjoy Dahlia’s story below!
1) Tell us your story. What inspired your passion for interior design and entrepreneurship? And what is your next big dream for the platform? How did you build your interior design platform to where it is today?
I was born and raised in sunny California, literally next to Disneyland. Growing up, it was my playground. I was so mesmerized by the magic detail & enchanting environments Walt Disney created.
At the age of 5, a spark was lit and I knew I was destined to be a designer. I was inspired by “When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you are. Anything your heart desires will come to you.”
Finding my path as a young Arab-American woman, especially as a designer and entrepreneur at 17, the obstacles and prejudices only fueled my desire to succeed.
I’m very humbled not hardened by my journey. I have a sense of purpose and responsibility to help others, especially our next generation. When I was their age, I was met with much skepticism… I had to become self reliant very quickly. I want to inspire and motivate our future dreamers, to give them the tools and encouragement to succeed. From the classroom to internships to speaking engagements, I tell these eager minds to embrace their authentic self, embrace their dreams… for their individual light shines as bright as their ambition.
In my career, I have been fortunate to experience ground breaking opportunities and sit at the table where major decisions were made… but there has been a piece missing, another dream. I believe that mainstream design television needs more women of color… someone who looks like me. I hope to be a driving force for this, knowing millions of little girls and boys need to see this representation… the impact could be astronomical.
2) With the pandemic and the shift to work from home, people have been doing a lot of home renovations, and often feel bored of their space. What are your top 5 tips for sprucing up your living space?
The pandemic has definitely impacted our industry in profound ways… from workforce shortages to supply chain delays, we are slowly achieving new normals. Despite the challenges, there has been a slight uptick in projects and developments which is very exciting. As an influencer, I have observed not only our clients but the general public viewing their homes with a different post-pandemic lens. There is a conscious effort to make time for their living spaces. Investing in their homes can be a form of self expression that has been bottled-up for some time. From home offices, gyms to bedroom and bathroom sanctuaries… design has become the new “comfort food”.
Dahlia’s Top 5 Tips to Designing your Dream Home
Design to the Senses - I love to design to the senses. What is appealing to your sight, sound, touch?
Ask yourself what type of mood or feeling you want to have in a certain space & tap into that.
Fresh flowers & candle scents are always an instant mood booster.
Switching out new accessories or a fresh coat of paint can go a long way.
Simply rearranging existing pieces can reinvigorate a space.
Dive into design magazines and inspiration sites or pages… build your dream room and then GO FOR IT!
4) What is the most common stress you think people have when designing their space? And what is your tip to managing it?
Design and decor can be overwhelming and stressful when you view the bigger picture. Simplify the process, start with one element and build from there. It might be a piece of art or furniture you love, a paint color, or even a destination… start to build a story with your design concept and the pieces will fall into place.
5) You have a strong social media presence and post very inspiring content. You also started at a young age. How do you seek to empower the next generation? And what is your next big dream?
Social media can easily become a saturated outlet to try to gain notoriety… instead I’ve centered my profile around my day to day work life and the wonderful connections and experiences I’ve made along the way. You can find inspiration, motivation, and some perspiration from the job site;) when you visit my profile.
6) As the platform for women dreamers, what is your next big dream?
As women, we have a lot on our shoulders… always remember to give yourself grace. Take a moment for yourself, to connect, and find gratitude right where you are. And while you’re at, be GLAM… life’s too short not to enjoy beautiful things. That includes YOU!
Check out some of Dahlia’s work below!
Thank you Dahlia for sharing your story with us! We are excited to have you in our global women’s network!
Bio: Known for her unmistakeable signature style of simplicity and elegance, Dahlia Mahmood has become a national and internationally award-winning designer and influencer. Her demand for excellence and dedication to detail has built a long list of high profile clients. From museums, to mansions, to yachts and children play spaces… Dahlia’s passion for design is the heart of every project. If she’s not in a meeting or job site, you can find her speaking to future leaders and designers in classrooms near and far. Featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Chic Metropolitan Magazine, Bravo TV and HGTV, you can also spot her iconic children’s bedrooms on Pinterest as one of the most pinned images.
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WOMEN WHO WIN IS THE GLOBAL ONLINE MEDIA PLATFORM AND NETWORKING GROUP FOR WOMEN, WHERE WE SHARE THE DREAMS OF DYNAMIC WOMEN ACROSS THE WORLD, AND THE INSPIRATIONAL SECRETS BEHIND THEIR SUCCESS.
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