Carli Robinson: Designing with Heart, Heritage, and Modern Luxury
From a childhood shaped by architectural artistry to a global portfolio of luxury interiors, Carli Robinson reveals how personal experience, passion, and precision shape her design narrative.
Q: You founded the incredible Carli Robinson Design as a studio that goes beyond aesthetics. What’s your approach when you dive into a new exciting project?
When embarking on a new project, our primary focus is on our client. Understanding their lifestyle, how they envision using each space, and what matters most to them is our first priority. From this foundation, we apply our expertise to craft an interior that combines luxury with practicality, perfectly tailored to suit their individual needs and aspirations.
Q: Tell us more about the start of your artistic journey. How has your upbringing shaped your creative process and perspective on interior design?
The same year I was born, my parents founded their company, initially collaborating with top-tier architects who designed luxury resorts, hotels, and high-end residences for the ultra-high-net-worth market. Back in those days they didn’t have renderings and methods of creating the final design in a way where it could be reviewed and assisted in envisioning. Their business involved crafting intricate, small-scale models that brought architectural plans to life—complete with removable roofs to reveal interior layouts, and details down to plants, people, and landscapes all meticulously scaled to match the original designs. I remember as a child I helped make the trees by dipping the small-scale trees in glue and then applying multiple layers of different shades of green sponge to replicate a real tree before they went on to be installed in the landscape of the small scale models.
My dad always dreamed of becoming a sculptor, creating life-size and larger-than-life bronze sculptures, and his talent is remarkable. This passion led the business to expand, focusing on custom-designed lighting, furniture, sculptures, and architectural elements. They continued working with the same architects, helping bring their vision to life in some of the world’s finest hotels. Over the next 20 years, he completed projects for 59 luxury hotels and resorts, including iconic establishments like the Djibouti Kempinski Palace, One&Only, and the Cullinan Hotel in Cape Town, among others.
As a young child, I was deeply involved in these projects, witnessing both the challenges and the victories that came with them. I experienced the behind-the-scenes work on some very large-scale developments. My dad and I share many traits, including a love for creating something out of nothing. We have the equal balance between being practical and business-minded along with the creativity and drive to deliver work that we are proud of, whilst ensuring the clients are happy. This early exposure to creative problem-solving and design is where my passion for interior design truly began.
Q: Your inspiring portfolio spans such diverse spaces, from residential to super yachts. How do you adapt your design philosophy for each unique setting?
While we have our own style—contemporary with a blend of heritage and antique elements for that perfect balance of old and new—each client project calls for a unique approach. We adapt our designs to suit the architecture, surroundings, and history of the space, ensuring that it resonates with its heritage. It’s essential for us to get a true sense of the property, to understand the client deeply and what matters most to them, and then let that insight guide us toward a design that feels genuine and fitting.
For example, on a recent superyacht refit, the yacht had a classic look, but the client wanted to modernise it with a relaxed, Hamptons-inspired aesthetic—luxurious yet casual. We spent significant time finding the right combinations to capture that relaxed feel while enhancing it with touches of luxury and quality, which worked beautifully. Another memorable project was a villa in Ibiza, where the client valued structured design, luxurious Italian furniture, and a unique yet simple look. We worked meticulously to weave in the rustic Spanish character, adding contemporary elements, natural colours, and organic, high-quality designs.
We had a project in a Georgian property in Ascot, embracing a British contemporary theme with rich colour schemes. Each of these projects were distinct, and for us, the key to success was stepping back to see the whole picture of each property and its environment, weaving in elements that would make the design feel high-quality, luxurious, and practical. Every project is an opportunity to create something that feels both relevant and timeless, uniquely tailored to its space and story.
Q: What exciting trends or design innovations are you seeing in yacht interiors right now?
The beauty of designing yacht interiors is that it allows us to constantly push boundaries and explore new possibilities. Each yacht offers a chance to create something truly unique, which is incredibly fulfilling. While trends in design come and go, I believe the goal should always be to create a timeless interior—something that won’t feel outdated 20 years down the line.
That said, certain trends, especially in wellness, have made a significant mark in yacht design. Features like ice splash pools, the latest fitness equipment, or innovations like infrared light therapy are becoming popular as owners seek luxurious, well-being-focused spaces that match the yacht's overall elegance. These wellness spaces have become key elements, with dedicated massage rooms, saunas, steam rooms, fully equipped gyms, and beauty stations for hair and nail care now common requests. On larger vessels, accommodating these full spa and health spaces is easier, and a complete wellness suite often feels essential.
Creating these spaces that harmonise luxury, relaxation, and state-of-the-art wellness is a joy—and it’s amazing to see how integral they’ve become to yacht design over the years.
Q: Texture, light, and form play a key role in your designs. Could you share how you incorporate these elements to elevate the look and feel of a space?
Before adding any element to a space, it’s essential to have a clear vision for what we want to achieve. Are we trying to make a small room feel larger, draw attention to a beautiful view, or brighten a space with limited natural light? Once we’ve defined the style for the project, that’s when our approach to integrating texture, light, and form truly comes into play.
I believe that a balanced design combines masculine shapes - structured, linear, and strong - with feminine shapes—soft, curved, and organic. Too much structure, and the space can feel flat or overly rigid; too many organic shapes, and it may feel cluttered or overwhelming. This balance keeps the design grounded yet dynamic.
Lighting is to me, the most transformative element in a space. I often say that with the right lighting, you could make even a hospital feel inviting. Layering different types of lighting and ensuring functional lighting is in place are both essential.
Textures are also key—they soften a space and bring the entire design together. Choosing textures that complement rather than compete with each other makes all the difference to creating a harmonious, inviting atmosphere.
Q: What has been the most challenging experience you’ve faced while running your business, and how did you navigate to overcome it?
In the design world, we face plenty of challenges, some easier to handle than others. Most designers don’t often share these hurdles; you typically see the "before" and "after," where spaces are transformed into something extraordinary. But behind those scenes, there’s a tremendous amount of planning, juggling procurement timelines, tackling design obstacles, dealing with contractor issues, unexpected material quality setbacks, and inevitable delays.
One particular project comes to mind when I think of a real test of patience and resilience. Toward the end of this project, we had been eagerly awaiting the arrival of custom glass banisters for a stunning four-story staircase—a key piece that had already been delayed nearly a year. The staircase walls were finished with a specialised hand-plaster finish, floating staircase steps were meticulously designed and a particular grain in wood sourced and finally installed, and at the top, an automated skylight roof that opens entirely to let out summer heat and offer a magical view of the night sky.
The project was finally coming together, and we were getting ready for the owners’ first stay. They hadn't seen it in its final stages yet, and we were all so excited for them to experience it. Now, Spain’s summers are typically dry, and we hadn't seen rain in weeks. So, to keep the place cool with the AC still in progress, the skylight was left open during the day. That evening, the contractors were the last to leave and accidentally left it open. Of all nights, there was a freak rainstorm—the streets flooded, and we were hit with a deluge. The rain poured in, and we found ourselves with serious water damage: the special wood steps had water staining down the freshly plastered walls, soaking into the newly finished surfaces. The steps had to be redone, the plaster repaired.
If that wasn’t enough, when the contractors finally installed the glass banisters, they tightened the bolts a bit too much. With the temperature fluctuations from day to night, we arrived on site to one of the banister sections completely shattered. Waiting 12 months for those banisters only to see them broken was incredibly disappointing. While technically, much of this was the builder’s responsibility to fix, the vision of having the owners arrive at their pristine home was lost.
In the end, with enough time and funds, nearly anything can be fixed, but it’s the frustration and disappointment of having to face these unexpected setbacks that can really test you. Despite the challenges, it’s all part of the journey, each project comes with its share of highs and lows, and through it all, you learn, adapt and grow.
Q: Your designs marry form and function so beautifully. How do you strike that balance, ensuring each space is both functional and visually captivating?
For me, combining form and functionality means creating spaces that are not only beautiful and unique but also easy to live with. It’s all about finding that perfect balance between practicality and aesthetics. Take, for example, a light-colored sofa—choosing a high-performance fabric allows you to enjoy that gorgeous ivory look without worrying about stains that might be hard to remove. Or when selecting fabrics for window treatments in sunny areas, opting for UV-resistant materials helps protect against fading while still looking stylish.
In high-traffic areas, using tiles or stones that are durable and low-maintenance keeps things practical without sacrificing quality. With today’s range of materials, the options are almost limitless, and even when we choose non-performance fabrics, we often offer protective treatments for added peace of mind against unexpected spills.
Q: You have been featured in Forbes Magazine, won multiple awards, and continue to pioneer in the interiors industry. What’s next for Carli Robinson Design, that you’re most excited to share with OLISE readers?
Carli Robinson Design is still young compared to many of the well-established names in the industry, and we're just at the beginning of writing our story. I feel incredibly fortunate to have already worked on some amazing projects and to have built meaningful relationships with clients who are truly the heart of what we do.
But we're aiming higher. We have big plans to grow Carli Robinson Design and take on even larger projects. My life has always been about pushing limits—I never settle or reach a point where I feel "this is it." As soon as I achieve one goal, I’m already setting the next one, always raising the bar.
I believe life is short, and my approach is to be, do, and achieve as much as I possibly can within that time. Thinking big and working toward great things is what drives me every day. Right now, we’ve set some ambitious goals for the next two years, and every day we’re taking steps to make them a reality. Watch this space—there’s so much more to come!
