We recently connected with Rima Nasser and have shared our conversation below.
Rima, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?
A sign that reads: “Great Things Never Come From Comfort Zones” hangs above my desk as a reminder for all aspects of life.
When I’ve gone “outside the box,” good things came of it. The biggest risk for me was starting my business more than a decade ago and deciding to follow my dreams. I took a huge risk and dedicated myself to the business. Once you make it over enough hurdles, you can say to yourself, “I can do this!”
We use this approach with our clients, especially those that may have conservative tastes and ideas for a monochromatic palette. Our clients come to us for our diverse cultural experiences and portfolio of bold ideas. So, they’ve already gone outside the box in reaching out to us. All we need to do is take them one more step, to help them tap into their personality and marry that with their family’s needs.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
TEW Design Studio is a diverse, full-service interior design firm based in Raleigh, N.C. that helps clients to form distinctive, yet livable spaces. Founded by Rima Nasser on the principle that design should be fun, exciting, and daring, the TEW Design Studio team creates uplifting spaces that are visually inspiring and easy to live and work in.
We have a uniquely diverse interior design team that enjoys working with families and businesses who crave approachable design. We offer a fresh approach to residential interior design and remodeling, creating distinctive designs for homeowners that bring out their personality. We also create uplifting spaces for retail, restaurants, and offices of all types. Our design team specializes in working alongside industry partners to build visually inspiring spaces.
TEW Design Studio is the only North Carolina interior design firm recognized nationally with four Master Design Awards in recent years for kitchen and bath remodeling excellence. On the horizon, our team will be unveiling a new line of custom cabinetry in 2024.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I get inspiration from traveling the world and experiencing unique cultures. As a Palestinian, my family moved to the U.S. when I was 15. Therefore, I grew up noticing architecture from all corners of the globe.
I grew up noticing simple, earthy design. What frequently caught my eye was the use of greenery, which fueled my love of nature. Also, I enjoy Moroccan influences with bold colors and patterns. Design is so personal that I feel like it should be fun, exciting and daring. And travel brings out the best in me.
So, there’s a couple pieces of advice: 1) take time to travel! 2) take in nature! And, 3) When we slow down enough to notice the world around us, everything from food to architecture to textures, colors and nature – it all can be so exotic in different parts of our world – and so inspiring!
I lived and went to school in Florence, Italy for a year and had the opportunity to travel Europe, trying new foods and learning from amazing people. So, my design career is nourished by cultural experiences abroad.
It helps when I’m encouraging my clients to take specific design risks that bring out their personality. Experiences from traveling abroad and paying attention to nature help us be courageous and put the “fun” in functional interior design!
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
As a team and growing business, we believe in the value of relationships. We operate under the principle that our relationships with our partners and our clients are not merely transactions but long-term relationships, and personal in nature.
Especially when we’re working with homeowners and getting to know their families. It’s especially rewarding to be able to design a nursery or playroom, for example, and then to see those children grow. These families become repeat customers when they want to do a kitchen or bath remodel, and so forth. A designer-client relationship can be months and even years-long, because lives change, locations change, and needs change.
This means our business partners will want to understand the nature of long-term relationships. Our partners range from architects to general contractors to custom furniture manufacturers to cabinetry craftsmen, and even muralists and other artists! We frequently do murals in the nurseries we design and often create custom designed artwork, cabinetry, and other ideas brought to us by architects and others.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tewdesignstudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tewdesignstudio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tewdesignstudio
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rimanasser/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/tewdesignstudio/
Image Credits
Photographer: Allie Mullin
