Have you ever walked into a space that instantly captivated you with its stunning design – from the perfectly curated wall decor to the strategic placement of furniture and accessories? Transforming empty rooms into aesthetically pleasing yet functional havens is the brilliant work of interior designers. Their expertise goes beyond mere decoration; they create harmonious environments that reflect the personality and lifestyle of their clients. Every detail, from color schemes to lighting, is meticulously planned to achieve a cohesive and inviting space.
In New York City’s creative design world, one visionary stands out for his innovative and globally-influenced approach—Ahmad AbouZanat, CEO and Lead Designer at AHMAD ABOUZANAT STUDIO.
A master in the world of interior design, Ahmad channels his worldly experience and education into crafting modern, serene spaces that serve as backdrops for showcasing beautiful artwork or dynamic statement pieces. With a degree from Beirut, Lebanon, he perfected his skills at esteemed architecture and design firms across the Middle East before relocating to Washington, D.C. in 2011. Ahmad’s well-traveled career has shaped a refined sensibility that he now brings to AHMAD ABOUZANAT STUDIO, the Manhattan-based firm he founded in 2017.
Under Ahmad’s lead, AHMAD ABOUZANAT STUDIO specializes in creating arresting interiors that seamlessly blend comfort with a curated, art-focused aesthetic. With an eye for blending modern elements and global influences, he creates spaces that are both functional and visually captivating. Ahmad is truly a design wizard, turning empty rooms into inspiring havens.
Discover the world of creativity through his inspiring story!
From Hospitality to Design
After graduating with a degree in Hospitality Management, Ahmad initially pursued a career in that field. However, he soon realized it was not the path he wanted to follow for life. Fortunately, with the support of his family, he was able to return to college and explore a new program in a field entirely foreign to him—Interior Design.
During the admission interview, Ahmad recalls being unfamiliar with the concept of a portfolio, as he had never pursued anything in the art or design world before. The program coordinator informed him that if admitted, he would likely be on probation for the first two semesters. Undeterred by the challenge, Ahmad embraced the opportunity, quickly realizing that design was more than just aesthetics—it was a process of problem-solving and he instantly fell in love with it.
His career began at architecture firms in the Middle East, where he worked as an Interior Designer on architectural projects. This experience taught him invaluable lessons about structural, electrical and mechanical constraints while also learning how to work around them. Witnessing projects being built from the ground up, he had to consider all these elements when designing a space.
“This career path taught me that Interior Design is more than just selecting beautiful furniture and finishes,” he shares. “It taught me that every design decision has to be carefully orchestrated with the environment it’s in, be it residential, hospitality, or commercial.”
For Ahmad, creating functional spaces is at the forefront of every project, with the selection of materials serving as the finishing layer.
The Art of Design
When asked to sum up his approach to design, Ahmad encapsulates it with the following statement, “Understated Luxury that is Functional, Joyful and Elegant.” This highlights his core priorities when designing any project—it has to be practical (functional), evoke emotions (joyful) and of course, look coherent and beautiful (elegant).
Having grown up overseas with opportunities to travel around the Middle East, North Africa and Europe, Ahmad is constantly seeking traditional techniques, impeccable craftsmanship and unique design approaches to draw inspiration from.
“I mostly learned that each design has to respect the architecture and history of the space my designs will live in,” he emphasizes. This often requires extensive research and going beyond just the placement of items. Understanding the architecture they’re working within, together with the intended use of the space, inspires Ahmad as a designer to make the most out of these spaces to create mindful and timeless designs.
Cultivating Cross-cultural Designs
Growing up overseas and living in different cities across the US and the Middle East also taught Ahmad to keep an open mind, understand different cultures and find ways to exist without compromising his personal beliefs or identity. The same is true with his clients. Living in New York City, the majority of his projects are based in Manhattan, where he works with clients from diverse backgrounds.
“Every time I meet a new client, I learn something new about a different culture,” Ahmad notes. “I am a curious person by nature and this ongoing education and exposure to various traditions and habits is something I truly love.” He has also undertaken numerous projects out of state and overseas, applying the same methodology of visiting the job site in person, exploring the area the project is located in and learning more about how his clients live in these neighborhoods along with their likes and dislikes.
Often, people hire a designer from a different region to bring a fresh and new perspective. It’s all about communication and understanding what they are looking for and aspiring to achieve and, as an experienced designer, finding the right balance in shaping these spaces. Ahmad’s designs are lifestyle-centric—the more he learns about his clients, the more successful the project becomes.
Process for Creating Personalized Spaces
Every project starts with a discovery meeting, during which Ahmad’s team asks all the questions about the space, its intended use and how long the client intends to use the space they are designing. They also inquire whether the client has worked on a design project before and about their experience.
“Design projects are a commitment, both time and money are valuable assets for every client and we want to make sure our clients are informed about the process,” he explains. During the same interview, they cover personal inquiries about the client’s preferences and tastes, especially when working with more than one person on a project. Establishing efficient and proper communication channels is key to the success of every project, and understanding how to combine personal preferences is essential.
Creating with Feel
As they start designing, each project differs based on the scope of work. For some projects, they present mood boards and 3D schematics, while for others, they create almost photorealistic 3D renderings.
Fortunately, Ahmad notes, we live in a time where visuals are accessible. His process involves extensive research and presentation of various images where he relies heavily on the emotional aspect of the project. He shares a list and asks clients to visit galleries showcasing furniture and art on their own, then provide feedback.
“I want them to go alone so they can form their own opinions and report back. I found out that I receive a lot more honest feedback when they do these visits without me or the pressure of having me around,” he says. “Materiality is very important in my projects; most of my projects are rich in texture and materials over patterns and print. How things feel and age in the space is a big part of the process.”
Balancing Comfort with Aesthetic Appeal
Comfort and functionality are at the forefront of every project for Ahmad. As he explains, “It’s like the shoe theory – it can be the prettiest and sometimes most expensive pair of shoes in your closet, but if it’s not comfortable, you either will not wear it or will wear it only once in a while and still regret having it.” Ahmad believes that a functional space is a successful one, regardless of the design style or aesthetic.
Every now and then, Ahmad and his team receive requests for specific items that are not the most functional or comfortable pieces. In such cases, they work with their clients to position these items as secondary elements in the space and explain why the main design decisions in every room have to prioritize comfort and practicality.
Urban Inspiration
When asked about how New York City influences his work and design, Ahmad says, “Where do I start? Everything really influences and inspires the work we do” – the neighborhood and location, the building and its architecture, having access to so many vendors and retailers that bring unique items and innovative materials.
He further adds, “Being in New York City also means we have access to a great pool of young and up-and-coming talent that is spread out around the city in Brooklyn or Upstate.” A lot of great fabricators of various calibers are also accessible. “It’s almost like we can get or do whatever we really want. New York City is one of the richest cities in the world when it comes to access to good design regardless of what the client budget is. It keeps me motivated to always look for the next best thing.”
What Makes a Design Successful?
Sharing his thoughts on what constitutes a successful interior design project, Ahmad initially believed a picture-perfect space to be the marker of success. While that’s great for portfolio and showcasing his talent, he realized that referrals and repeat clients were what truly made him feel he had done a good job. “Referrals and repeat clients are a sign that a client has confidence in my ability to understand and deliver a space that they enjoy using and living in,” Ahmad highlights.
Recently, he met with a client whose project he finished four years ago. As they were chatting, the client mentioned having lived full-time in the space for four years and being happy with every decision made. The client also added that they wouldn’t change a thing in their apartment, and everything is still in place almost exactly where it was initially positioned upon project installation.
To Ahmad, that is a huge testament that the space was designed specifically to fit the client’s lifestyle and aesthetics. This is an accomplishment he is very proud of, as it demonstrates his true success lies in creating functional, livable spaces tailored to how his clients actually live, not just picture-perfect showcases.
Ambitious Plans
Ahmad views design as a highly inspiring career, always looking forward to the next chapter. While he has primarily focused on designing homes and offices so far, he is eager to expand into commercial spaces. “What I really would like to work on is Hospitality and the F&B world,” he shares, “to combine my education and work experience in the hospitality world with my design career. I believe this would be real fun to venture in.”
In addition to his ongoing design projects, Ahmad is also working on developing products that he hopes to finalize within the next year. He is open to collaborating with brands to launch these products or potentially launching them independently.
Designing a Path to Success
Imparting wisdom from his experience with aspiring interior designers starting their careers, Ahmad shares, “It takes time! As a designer, you learn and evolve over time. Be open-minded and let your horizons expand as you grow.” he further adds. “As creatives, we are fortunate to have chosen a career that does not limit us and can expand and take any shape or form we decide to make it; you just have to put in the work and believe in your talent.”
He advises, “If you’re starting your own design studio or firm, treat it as a business. It’s the one advice I wish someone had given me when I started on my own. I was so consumed in doing the creative part, which I truly enjoy, that I didn’t really treat this entity as a business.” There was a time when the business suffered, and with unexpected setbacks like COVID on top of that, it became very challenging and frustrating to remedy and get back on track.
“Don’t let that demotivate you,” Ahmad encourages. “Have a clear work or business plan, depending on your financial capabilities. There are many coaches and digital tools accessible that would help you form a proper business plan – one that should be flexible, ready for unexpected roadblocks along the way, and above all, inspiring and exciting for growth.”
