Today we’d like to introduce you to Priyal Dalvi.

Hi Priyal, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

My Interior design journey began in 2015, when I stood at the threshold of something unknown, holding nothing but a diploma in Interior Design from LS Raheja School of Architecture in Mumbai. Like many others, I was filled with that mix of excitement and uncertainty that comes with stepping into a new world. I had no clear blueprint for the future—only the belief that design was my true calling, and that was enough to push me forward.

The first three years after my diploma were a blur of hard work, lessons learned the hard way, and endless hours spent in various interior and architecture firms. I took on every challenge, from designing office spaces to handling residential projects, soaking in all the knowledge I could. I was learning fast, but something inside me kept whispering that I needed more—more freedom, more space to express my vision. And so, in 2018, I made the leap into freelancing. It wasn’t as glamorous as it sounds. In fact, it started with an unexpected request from a friend—he asked me to design his kitchen.

I remember feeling a wave of doubt wash over me. Can I really handle this on my own? Designing a kitchen seemed like such a monumental task, yet something about the opportunity excited me. I had no idea this single project would set the stage for everything that came after. The kitchen turned out beautifully, and that first taste of working independently gave me the confidence I needed to continue. One project led to another, and before I knew it, I had completed 12 successful residential designs.

But I didn’t stop there. In 2020, during peak Covid, I made another big decision: I moved to the U.S. to pursue a BFA in Interior Design in Savannah College of Art and Design. I knew there was so much more to learn, especially when it came to exploring different design philosophies and approaches. I wanted to understand how global influences could shape my work and help me become a more well-rounded designer. It was a challenge, but it also felt like a necessary next step in my evolution.
In 2023, I graduated from SCAD, with undergraduate honors in Interior Design, which was a proud milestone in my journey.

Currently, I’m based in Florida, working as an interior designer. The experiences from both my freelancing years and my time at SCAD continue to shape my work as I grow my career in this vibrant design landscape.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

It hasn’t been a smooth road, and the journey has had its share of struggles. The transition from working in India to establishing myself as a designer in the U.S. was more challenging than I had anticipated. One of the biggest hurdles has been navigating the cultural differences. As an Indian designer, I often found myself trying to explain the value of the diverse design perspective I bring to the table. In the beginning, it wasn’t easy for people to understand how my background and experiences could translate into something unique in the U.S. design scene.

The design industry in the U.S. is fast-paced, and there’s a strong emphasis on local trends and standards. I found myself constantly trying to prove that my approach, shaped by a mix of Indian aesthetics and global influences, could offer a fresh and valuable perspective. I faced moments where I felt like I had to fit into a mold or conform to expectations that didn’t align with my own design philosophy.
There were times when I realized how different the approach to design could be in different cultures. The U.S. market has its own set of priorities—different materials, construction methods, and even design preferences that were sometimes at odds with what I had learned in India. Bridging these gaps, while staying true to my vision, was tough.

But over time, I’ve learned to embrace my background as an asset rather than something that needs to be explained or justified. I’ve found that more and more people are appreciating the diversity in design, recognizing that the blend of cultures would lead to something innovative and new. While it hasn’t been easy, every challenge has shaped me into a more confident designer, and now, I’m learning how to make my unique perspective a strength in this globalized design world.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

As an interior designer, I specialize in creating spaces that blend functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability. What sets me apart is my deep commitment to sustainable design practices. Early on in my career, I realized that as designers, we often focus on choosing high-quality, eco-friendly materials, but what happens to the materials left behind after a project? The leftover samples—fabrics, leathers, wallpapers—often go to waste, thrown away after being discontinued. This always bothered me, especially considering how much potential these materials had to be repurposed creatively.

Driven by this concern, I began creating artwork from discarded materials at my office studio. I started collecting discontinued fabric, leather, and wallpaper samples that would otherwise end up in a landfill, and transformed them into unique pieces of art. These works not only gave these materials a second life but also served as a visual reminder of the importance of sustainability in our industry. I could no longer ignore the environmental impact of unused materials, so I decided to do something about it.

Over time, I’ve come to see the potential in every piece of discarded material. I’ve used them to create artwork that adds character and meaning to interior spaces, showing how sustainable design can go beyond just materials and into the very soul of a space. My goal is to raise awareness about the importance of repurposing and rethinking waste, and I’m always looking for ways to incorporate these sustainable practices into my projects.

What I’m most proud of is how this philosophy has become part of my identity as a designer. My work isn’t just about creating beautiful spaces; it’s about designing responsibly and making a positive impact on the environment. I believe that, given the opportunity, I can take discarded materials and turn them into something truly remarkable and meaningful—whether as art pieces within the space or as integral components of the design itself. This blend of creativity, sustainability, and innovation is what sets me apart and drives my passion as an interior designer.

Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?

One of my most vivid childhood memories is from when I was about six years old, sitting in my mom’s workshop, surrounded by the smell of fresh wood and paint. My mom is an artist who specializes in wooden murals and interior art, and her workspace was a treasure trove of materials—scraps of wood, chunks of paint, brushes, and all sorts of tools. While she worked on her projects, I would collect the leftover wooden pieces—bits that most people would discard—and turn them into little sculptures or makeshift furniture. I loved creating shapes and forms out of these odd pieces, building my own tiny world of imagination.

As I spent more time in that creative chaos, my curiosity about how everything came together grew. My mom would take me on site visits, and I’d watch in awe as electricians pulled wires, carpenters built furniture, and painters added their final touches to the spaces. I remember asking her, “Why are they doing this? Who’s guiding them?” She smiled and explained that it was the interior designer who was leading the show—the one with the vision—and everyone else, from the laborers to the electricians, were helping turn that vision into reality.

That’s when it clicked for me. I realized I wanted to be the one who shaped those visions, the one who got to bring a space to life. Watching the whole process unfold in front of me, with all its collaboration and creativity, was magical. And from that moment, I was hooked. That was the moment when I first knew—I wanted to be an interior designer.

Contact Info:

• Website: Portfolio: https://issuu.com/priyaldalvi/docs/interior_design_portfolio_priyaldalvi_2023_
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/priyald16/profilecard/?igsh=MXh5dmtibHd3Z2wwMw==
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priyal-dalvi
• Other: https://www.houzz.in/pro/priyal-dalvi/__public