We caught up with the brilliant and insightful KARIN BREVE a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, KARIN thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

The name “Iconic Design” likely reflects the core values and vision behind my interior design business.
The word “Iconic” conveys something that is distinctive, timeless, and highly recognizable, “Iconic Design” reflects my desire to create designs that stand out, leaving a lasting impression on my clients, translating to a level of quality and uniqueness that defines my work. The goal is to make spaces that are not just beautiful but memorable, embodying a sense of style that is both current and enduring.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

About Iconic Design:

At Iconic Design, our mission is to transform spaces into iconic, functional, and inspiring environments. While my journey in the design world began as an architect, it was the creative side of design that ultimately led me to the world of interior design. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working on architectural projects, but I realized that my true passion lies in the intimate details of interior spaces—shaping how people experience and interact with their surroundings on a day-to-day basis. This realization led to the founding of Iconic Design, where I could blend my deep understanding of architectural principles with a more personalized, detail-oriented approach to interior design.

How I Got Into Interior Design:

I began my professional journey with a degree in Architecture and Urban planning. I spent several years working in the architectural industry, gaining a strong foundation in spatial design, building systems, and urban development. This experience helped me understand the larger picture of how spaces fit within the context of their environment and the flow of people within those spaces.
However, as I advanced in my career, I found myself increasingly drawn to the finer details of the built environment—how color, texture, layout, and furniture choices can impact the mood, functionality, and overall feel of a space. It was this fascination with creating spaces that deeply resonate with people that led me to transition into interior design. With Iconic Design, I’m able to bring together my architectural background with a more focused, creative approach to designing the interiors that truly shape people’s lives.

What I do:

At Iconic Design, we offer a comprehensive range of interior design services, including:

-Residential Design: Creating beautiful and functional spaces that reflect your personal style, whether it’s a cozy home, a chic apartment, or a luxurious retreat.

-Commercial Design: Designing workspaces, retail spaces, and hospitality venues that enhance your brand, improve functionality, and provide a welcoming atmosphere for employees and customers alike.

-Space Planning & Layout Design: Utilizing my architectural background, I help clients optimize space to make it more efficient, comfortable, and visually appealing.

-Material & Finish Selection: From furniture to finishes, we curate materials that bring your vision to life and elevate your space.

-Custom Designs: Offering bespoke furniture, décor, and design solutions that are tailored specifically to the needs and aesthetics of the space.

What Problems We Solve for Clients:

At Iconic Design, we tackle the challenges that come with creating functional and inspiring spaces.
Solving client’s desire for a cohesive, stylish design that reflects their personal or brand identity, by bringing together our expertise in architecture and interior design to craft spaces that meet both the needs and aspirations of our clients. Whether it’s designing a home that feels comfortable and uniquely yours or creating a workplace that fosters creativity and productivity, we ensure every design detail serves a purpose

What Sets Iconic Design Apart:

What truly distinguishes Iconic Design is our ability to blend architectural knowledge with interior design creativity. My background in architecture and urban planning gives me a deep understanding of how spaces function on a larger scale, but it’s the attention to detail in interior design that allows me to create environments that feel personalized, purposeful, and harmonious. We don’t just create aesthetically pleasing spaces; we design environments that work, that are practical and enriching to live and work in.
Additionally, we take a highly collaborative approach. We listen closely to our clients’ needs, values, and visions and work alongside them to ensure that their space reflects their personality or brand. We bring a high level of professionalism, creativity, and attention to detail to every project, ensuring that the final outcome is truly iconic.

What I’m Most Proud Of:

I’m most proud of the way we create spaces that improve the quality of life for our clients. Seeing how our designs transform a client’s environment—and their daily experience within it—is deeply fulfilling. I’m also proud of the seamless integration of architecture and interior design in our work. The balance of functionality and beauty is something we take great pride in, and our clients often express how our designs have enhanced their living or working environments in ways they never imagined

Main Things I Want Clients to Know About Iconic Design:

Architectural Expertise: My strong foundation in architecture means that we understand how spaces should function on a broader scale, not just aesthetically, ensuring that every design is both beautiful and practical.

Collaborative Approach: I believe in working closely with our clients throughout the entire process, ensuring that their vision is brought to life in every detail.

Tailored Design: Every project is unique, and I pride myself on creating designs that are custom-tailored to fit each client’s specific needs, tastes, and lifestyle.

Quality & Craftsmanship: I am committed to creating spaces that are not only visually stunning but built to last, with the highest standards of craftsmanship and attention to detail.

Whether you’re looking to design a home that feels truly yours or a workspace that enhances productivity and creativity, Iconic Design is here to help. I approach every project with passion, creativity, and a commitment to excellence, ensuring that the final result is nothing short of iconic.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

As an immigrant from Brazil, my journey to becoming an interior designer hasn’t been easy, but it’s been one that has shaped me into the resilient person I am today. When I first arrived in [Country], I was starting from scratch, without a network, a deep understanding of the culture, or even a clear path forward. All I had was my passion for design, a degree in architecture, and the strong determination to succeed.

One of the toughest moments was when I first tried to break into the architecture and design industry here. The language barrier was a constant challenge, and I found it difficult to communicate my ideas effectively, despite having the technical skills and knowledge. Many times, I felt discouraged, wondering if I’d ever truly fit in or be able to make the impact I had dreamed of. There were moments where I considered going back to Brazil, where I had my family, my community, and a sense of familiarity.

But what kept me going was the deep belief that I had something valuable to offer—something that could bridge cultures and offer a unique perspective in design. I knew that my diverse background would bring a fresh perspective to every project I took on. So, I didn’t give up. I worked tirelessly to improve my language skills, expanded my network by attending local design events, and took on projects—small ones at first—that helped me prove myself. Each hurdle became an opportunity to learn and grow.

The turning point came when I was given the chance to lead a major residential project. It wasn’t an easy journey—there were sleepless nights, language missteps, and moments of doubt—but the end result was more than just a beautifully designed home. It was proof to myself that resilience, hard work, and persistence can overcome any obstacle. That project, along with several others, became the foundation for Iconic Design.

Today, looking back on that journey, I realize how much it has shaped my business philosophy. I approach every project with the same perseverance, adaptability, and commitment to excellence that got me through those early years. I’ve learned that resilience isn’t just about bouncing back from challenges—it’s about finding strength in the face of uncertainty, adapting to new circumstances, and never losing sight of your goals.

I hope that my journey can inspire others, especially immigrants and those facing adversity, to keep pushing forward. Success doesn’t happen overnight, but with resilience, passion, and a strong belief in your own abilities, anything is possible.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

There’s one pivotal moment in my journey that stands out, where I had to make a major shift in both my career and life. As someone with a degree in architecture and urban planning, I began my professional career working in the architectural industry. I loved the technical aspects of design, the large-scale projects, and the vision of transforming urban spaces. But over time, I realized something was missing. I was no longer finding the deep fulfillment that I once had. The work, while rewarding, felt distant from the personal connections and creative expression I craved.

At the same time, I had been drawn to the world of interior design for a while. I’d always admired how interior design could completely transform a space and create an immediate, tangible impact on people’s lives. It wasn’t just about the layout or structure—it was about the emotions that a well-designed room could evoke, how people could feel truly “at home” in their surroundings.

So, I made the decision to pivot—something that wasn’t easy for me at the time. I had invested years in my architecture career, building relationships, honing my skills, and establishing a certain identity within the field. Yet, deep down, I knew that pursuing interior design was where my true passion lay. I decided to take the leap into the world of interior design, despite the risks.

It wasn’t easy to make that transition. I had to start over in many ways, learning new aspects of design, adapting to a different market, and building a new professional network. There were moments of doubt, especially since I’d already established a certain level of stability in architecture. But I reminded myself of why I was making this change: to create spaces that resonated with people, to focus on the smaller, intimate details that I could pour my creativity into, and to leave a lasting impression on those who experienced the spaces I designed.

I spent months taking additional courses, working on side projects to build my portfolio, and reaching out to people in the design community. It was tough—there were days when I questioned whether I had made the right decision. But I also realized that this pivot, while challenging, was allowing me to align my work with my personal values and passion.

Eventually, my perseverance paid off. The first few design projects I took on were smaller, but they helped me establish my new direction and build credibility in the industry. That was when Iconic Design was born—an interior design business rooted in my architectural background, but with a fresh, new focus on creating spaces that were functional, beautiful, and personally meaningful to my clients.

Looking back, that pivot was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It was a difficult process, but it taught me so much about resilience, the importance of trusting my instincts, and the power of reinventing myself. It also showed me that change, while daunting, can lead to growth and open up new possibilities that I never imagined.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://iconic.la
• Instagram: @iconic.design_official
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iconicdesignllc/

Image Credits

Sthefanie Souza