Interior designer Kishani Perera is one-of-a-kind. Her portfolio has a very distinct point of view, while simultaneously being tough to categorize—and that’s exactly what makes her so sought after. Her interiors have perfected the art of the mix, blending “the reclaimed with refined, the ordinary with ornamental.”

Kishani has worked with the likes of Harry Styles, Bruce & Emma Willis, Emily Deschanel, Gary Oldman, Josh Radnor, and Kaitlin Olson & Rob McElhenney. She specializes in everything from ground-up new builds to furniture and decor, and is a trusted source when it comes to non-toxic materials. (In fact, she’s launched Healthy Homes™ to ensure construction will encourage health and well-being, not hinder it.)

Read on to learn more about her love of design, how she defines success, and what she has planned next. 

MY LIGHT-BULB MOMENT:
All through high school, I thrifted, scoured flea markets and vintage shopped. While my friends were interested in clothes, I was obsessing over antique furniture and vintage lamps! As a child, I constantly reinvented my bedroom, in college I decorated all of my friends’ dorm rooms and later on, their apartments. After graduation, I spent a number of years trying on different creative jobs for size, while working in restaurants to pay the bills. At 26, I was having health issues and found myself at a major crossroads wondering what I should do with my life. Pretty much anyone I posed the question to looked at me like I was an idiot, and said “It’s so obvious! You’re an interior designer! Do that!” It was right in front of me, but I never realized that interior design was my future. I finally embraced the advice and decided to go to design school at UCLA and turn my hobby into an actual career. 

I CAN’T START MY DAY UNTIL:
I prepare my Teeccino coffee alternative concoction (Teeccino dark chocolate with coconut milk, spices, amino acids), and turn on some KCRW tunes to set the vibe for the day. 

SUCCESS IS:
Having time to breathe, take in nature, and find inspiration in the real world, instead of working around the clock like a crazy person. I’m definitely a recovering workaholic! 

YOU’LL NEVER SEE ME WITHOUT:
Being covered in some amount of dog hair! I live for my dogs (and my clients’ animals too)!

MY DREAM COLLABORATION:
I have struggled with health problems for many years, and once my extreme sensitivity to mold was diagnosed, I was determined to educate myself about clean, non-toxic and healthy building practices and materials. It literally changed my life, and I’m passionate about sharing my wisdom with others who may be struggling and unaware that their own home environment could be making them sick. I’ve started a complementary business called Healthy Homes®, and my dream is to work with more clients (near and far) for ground-up new builds, where we prioritize wellness within the home environment and consider all of the materials sourced and used.

I would also love to collaborate with fabric and lighting companies, to design collections that exude a vintage cosmopolitan flair, taking inspiration from cultures around the globe, and using earth and health friendly materials. 

THE ONLY PLACE BETTER THAN LOS ANGELES:
St. Barts or London! 

WHEN I FEEL UNINSPIRED:
I look to the past. Vintage furniture, clothing, art and jewelry, have always inspired me to create something new from something old. I’m also incredibly inspired by music – which is probably why I have so many musicians as clients! 

ADVICE I WISH I HAD 5 YEARS AGO:
Take time for yourself.  There’s no shame in taking breaks, scheduling time off, and most importantly, enjoying it when you do. For nearly two decades I worked around the clock. I couldn’t stop! It ultimately affected my mental and physical well-being, and I found it difficult to find the joy in what I did. Taking space has truly made me more productive, happier, healthier and more inspired by my work – something I wouldn’t have believed a few years ago! 

IN 5 YEARS, FIND ME:
Hopefully travelling more, for work and fun, and expanding my business into various other arenas.

ABOVE ALL ELSE:
Strive for serenity.