Anna Giannis is a renowned Greek-Australian interior designer celebrated for her innovative, sophisticated, and vibrant approach to design. With over two decades of industry experience, Anna’s work seamlessly blends cultural influences drawn from her Greek heritage and global travels, resulting in captivating residential and commercial spaces. Her portfolio includes acclaimed projects in cities such as Melbourne, New York, Shanghai and Dubai, garnering both local and international recognition. As the founder of Anna Giannis Interiors, she leads a multidisciplinary team dedicated to excellence, artistry and meticulous attention to detail, consistently exceeding client expectations while shaping a legacy of luxury living and creative originality.
Your journey in interior design spans over two decades and includes working in cities like New York, Shanghai and Dubai. How have these global experiences shaped your approach to design?
My global design experiences in cities such as Shanghai, New York, and Dubai have definitely enriched and shaped my design portfolio. I love to integrate unique design elements from different countries. Working with diverse clientele has enhanced my understanding of varying lifestyles and cultural backgrounds, thus allowing for more personalized and eclectic interiors to be created.
You often credit your artisan parents for inspiring your creativity. Can you share how their influence has impacted your career and design philosophy?
My artisan parents have been a profound influence on my career and design philosophy. Growing up in a home where creativity and craftsmanship were part of my everyday life. This instilled in me a deep appreciation for the artistic process. They taught me the value of hard work, attention to detail and the importance of infusing passion into every project, especially from my father. This upbringing has shaped my approach to design, where I strive to balance functionality with artistry, ensuring every space or piece is not just beautiful but also meaningful and reflective of its purpose. My father’s influence encouraged me to embrace attention to detail and discipline whilst incorporating a contemporary approach that defines my work today.
Your designs are known for blending opulence with functionality. How do you ensure this balance while meeting client expectations?
Each project begins with the relationship between the client and you. By the time the client engages you, you should have already established trust and openness, where you understand your clients and their lifestyles. Following this, we initiate the creative process to ensure the outcome aligns with our desired goal, delivering a harmonious blend of luxurious and functional interiors.
You’ve mentioned that style evolves with time. How has your personal design vision changed over the years, and what drives your creative process today?
Over the years, my personal design vision has evolved significantly, reflecting both personal growth and broader trends in the design world. However, over the years, my designs have matured to embrace a more sophisticated style, with timeless elegance.
What drives my creative process today is a combination of curiosity and a desire to push boundaries. I find inspiration everywhere from nature, travel, fashion, art and technology. Having key relationships with suppliers is imperative for our work as it keeps my perspective fresh and allows me to experiment with new ideas and materials. Additionally, collaborating with artisans challenges me to think differently about the design and specifications and continuously refines our approach. This constant evolution ensures that our work remains relevant and resonant with the ever-changing global design landscape.
You’ve worked on diverse projects ranging from luxury residences to homeware collections. What excites you most about working across such varied scopes?
I love working across all aspects of design, whether that is in luxurious interiors, designing furniture, lighting or custom furnishings. Our studio has evolved into being multidisciplinary. As an eight-year-old, I was introduced to fabrics by my mother and aunties as they were seamstresses and that’s when my love affair with textiles began and has stayed with me ever since. These days, as I travel the globe, I am always searching to find that hidden fabric store or flea market to find that something I have never seen before; it’s actually becoming an obsession!
My China and New York chapter was all about textiles with the launch of my Homewares collections, which I worked on from my showroom on Fifth Avenue. This was an incredibly exciting and challenging period in my career. Being mostly self-taught as a designer, interiors have become my obsession since I returned from America fourteen years ago.
As the studio creates custom furniture and furnishings, there is always a connection with textiles. This means the opportunity to create one-off pieces, but it also means I am awarded the opportunity to integrate my passion as well. I love the variety that comes with adapting my design philosophy to different projects and client needs. Luxury residences allow for a deep dive into crafting personalized environments that reflect individual lifestyles, while homeware collections challenge me to create functional and aesthetic pieces that can be appreciated in everyday life.
Collaborating internationally has been a hallmark of your career. How do you navigate cultural influences to create designs that resonate universally?
Collaborating internationally has enriched my design perspective significantly. To navigate cultural influences effectively, I prioritize open communication and a genuine understanding of the diverse backgrounds, traditions and preferences of each region. This involves extensive research, active listening during discussions and seeking input from local artisans and suppliers.
I strive to find common ground in universal themes such as comfort, beauty and functionality, which resonate with people regardless of their cultural context. By blending these elements with the specific cultural nuances of a project, I can create designs that are both meaningful and accessible to a broader audience. At the moment, I am working on a few projects in Greece, which is very special for me as I get to explore the different elements and exotic materials that exist here.
Your work often incorporates vibrant colors, textures and historical references. How do you decide on the key elements that define the aesthetic of a space?
Deciding on the key elements that define the aesthetic of a space is a thoughtful and intuitive process for me. I start by considering the client’s vision and how they wish to experience the space. Understanding their preferences, lifestyle and the intended function of the area is crucial for establishing a solid foundation.
From there, I delve into concepts with colors and textures, drawing inspiration from various sources, including art, nature and historical references that resonate with the overall narrative of the project. I aim to create a cohesive color palette that evokes the desired mood while ensuring that textures add depth and tactile interest.
Historical references often serve as an anchor, providing context and storytelling that enhance the design. I carefully select elements that reflect cultural significance or timelessness, allowing the space to feel both rich and authentic.
Ultimately, my goal is to weave these components together in a way that not only resonates visually but also creates an emotional connection, making the space feel inviting and harmonious. This holistic approach ensures that every element contributes to a unified aesthetic that reflects the identity and purpose of the space.
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in design. How do you integrate eco-friendly practices into your projects without compromising luxury?
As a design studio, integrating sustainability into our designs is a core value that I prioritize without compromising luxury. I believe that eco-friendly practices can enhance elegance and sophistication rather than detract from them.
To achieve this, carefully chosen materials that are both sustainable and high-quality, such as reclaimed wood, organic textiles and low-impact finishes, are all considered for a project. These materials not only reduce environmental impact but also often possess unique textures and aesthetic qualities that add character to the project.
We also consider the lifecycle of each product and project, focusing on durability and timelessness. By designing pieces that are meant to last, we reduce waste and promote a more thoughtful consumption approach. Additionally, we embrace innovative technologies and energy-efficient solutions that allow for luxurious experiences while minimizing resource usage.
You’ve mentioned sleepless nights as part of your creative process. Can you share how inspiration strikes and how you manage the challenges of balancing creativity with practicality?
I believe most creative people would experience a few sleepless nights as they are immersed in a project. I get excited when this happens, as usually it means that I need to make a note of something or I am redirected towards a detail that needs attention. Ultimately, I am always grateful for these sleepless nights, as they’re always for the best for the project!
What advice would you give aspiring interior designers who want to build a successful career while staying true to their unique style?
I would say that your style will change and evolve, so expect this to happen; it’s a very normal part of a design career. Always be open and honest with your clients. Be humble, diligent and not dogmatic about your design ideas. Listen with intent to your clients, as they are everything and by listening first, magic happens.