Rima Nasser shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Rima, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity. Without integrity and truth, there’s no substance. Integrity is the foundation for everything else. Intelligence without integrity can be manipulative, and energy without integrity can be misdirected or harmful. Integrity ensures that your actions, decisions, and relationships are grounded in honesty and ethical principles. It gives meaning and trustworthiness to what you do.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Rima Nasser, founder of TEW Design Studio, where we believe design should tell a story – your story. Our work is guided by three pillars: deeply personalized spaces that reflect how our clients live, bold yet approachable creativity that blends modern and eclectic elements, and a commitment to diversity, which fuels richer, more empathetic design outcomes.
As one of the most diverse design firms in our region, we draw inspiration from a wide range of cultures and artistic traditions. Design, for us, is transformative. It’s about creating spaces that not only look beautiful but also feel meaningful and functional.
We extend this philosophy into our TEWlines furniture collection, designed in-house and made locally, bringing the same personal and artful approach to furnishings. I founded TEW on the belief that diversity drives creativity. My own experiences, from growing up and immigrating from Palestine, to studying design in Italy, shape the way I approach every project with purpose and cultural insight.
When I’m not designing, I love spending time with my husband and two boys in Raleigh, gardening, painting, hiking, or exploring new playgrounds with my family.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
When the world was telling me who I had to be, I was a rule follower and a people pleaser. I began my college career as a pre-med student, trying to follow a path that felt safe and respected in a culture that often values traditional, non-creative professions. But after three years of pushing myself to fit into that mold, I realized it wasn’t where my heart was. It wasn’t until I took a drawing class that something shifted. I discovered a part of myself I never had the chance to explore. For the first time, I felt connected, expressive, and inspired. That class reminded me that creativity had always been within me; I had just never been given permission to see it.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me the true value of success. It showed me that real achievement is rarely instant or effortless. We live in a world where things can go viral overnight, but most meaningful success takes time, failure, and resilience. Through moments of struggle, I learned how to pick myself up, accept my shortcomings, and adjust my path to try again. Suffering builds strength, humility, and gratitude in a way that success alone never could.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
As an interior designer, I deal with this question all the time. Great design isn’t about following trends, it’s about creating spaces that express identity and meaning. At TEW, we believe diversity isn’t just inclusive, it’s essential to crafting environments that inspire, resonate, and endure. That philosophy helps us distinguish between what’s temporary and what’s lasting.
The same applies beyond design. In life and work, real shifts come from authenticity, empathy, and understanding, not from quick trends or surface changes. Whether it’s building genuine relationships or creating successful teams, the foundation always comes down to communication, respect, and purpose.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
Yes, I’ve experienced that. For me, it’s happened when I ignored my intuition. There were projects I knew in my gut weren’t the right fit, but I took them on anyway, seeing them as a challenge. I ended up meeting the challenge and achieving the goal, but the process felt draining because the clients didn’t truly value collaboration or my expertise. It taught me that success without alignment isn’t satisfying. Listening to my inner voice has since become one of my most important guiding principles.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tewdesignstudio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tewdesignstudio/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rimanasser/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tewdesignstudio/
Image Credits
Allie Mullin Photography
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