Born in Iran and raised in Sweden, Bani Singh brings a deeply human perspective to interior design. Before founding Grounded Design in Dubai in 2017, she spent a decade working in children’s rights, a background that continues to shape the way she thinks about people, spaces and the quiet rituals of everyday life. Inspired by the Swedish philosophy of Lagom, meaning balance and moderation, Grounded Design has built its practice around interiors that feel calm, thoughtful and enduring. The studio’s work spans residential, commercial and hospitality projects, with a focus on simplicity, craftsmanship, functionality and a sense of emotional connection. IFDM sits with Bani Singh, founder of Grounded Design, to discuss the studio’s philosophy, the meaning of being grounded, the role of restraint in luxury interiors, and how Dubai continues to influence the way people live.
How would you describe Grounded Design’s practice to someone discovering the studio for the first time?
Grounded Design is a boutique interior design studio based in Dubai, creating bespoke residential and commercial spaces that are deeply personal, timeless and quietly luxurious. Every project is approached holistically, from the first conversation through to the final layer of styling, with the belief that great design should not simply be admired but should enrich the way people live. We strive to create spaces with a quiet presence. Interiors that reveal themselves slowly, where every decision feels considered and every detail contributes to a greater sense of harmony. The result is not simply a beautiful room, but an environment that feels authentic, enduring and entirely personal.
Redwood 2, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai
What does the word “grounded” mean to you in the context of design, space and the way people live?
Grounded means balance and harmony.
To us, it is about creating spaces that feel effortlessly resolved, where light, proportion, texture and material exist in quiet conversation with one another. Rather than following passing trends, we seek to create interiors with quiet confidence that allow people to feel comfortable, connected and completely at home. A grounded space is never defined by excess. It carries a sense of calm, authenticity and permanence, becoming more meaningful as life unfolds within it.
Your work feels very considered and human. What usually comes first for you: the story, the material, the client or the space itself?
Everything begins with listening.
Long before materials are discussed or layouts explored, we spend time understanding how our clients live. How they gather, entertain, retreat and celebrate. Those conversations reveal far more than a design brief ever could. From there, the story begins to emerge naturally. The architecture, materials and finer details become expressions of that narrative, creating spaces that feel instinctive rather than imposed.
Noor Residence, Dubai
How do you approach a new project, from the first conversation to the final details?
Our process begins with understanding how a client wants to live rather than how they want a space to look. That understanding becomes the foundation for a clear design narrative that quietly guides every decision that follows. As the project evolves, every layer is refined with equal care, from architecture and spatial planning to lighting, bespoke joinery, furniture and styling. Remaining closely involved throughout implementation ensures the finished space retains the integrity of the original vision.
Can you tell us about your latest project and what made it special for the studio?
Every project leaves its mark on the studio in a different way, but one of our most recent residential commissions reaffirmed something we have always believed: the most memorable homes are shaped around life rather than aesthetics. The design began not with finishes or furniture, but with understanding the family’s rituals, the quiet moments, the celebrations and the movement through the home from morning until evening. Spaces were opened, views reframed and every room was given greater purpose. What made the project truly special was the trust our clients placed in us. That trust allowed restraint to become the defining gesture, creating a home that feels timeless, deeply personal and impossible to imagine any other way.
Lime Tree Valley, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai
Lime Tree Valley, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai
What were some of the biggest design decisions behind this project, and how did they shape the final result?
Perhaps the most significant design decision was choosing what not to include. Restraint became the guiding principle, allowing proportion, craftsmanship and natural materials to speak with confidence. Sightlines were simplified, circulation improved and every element was given purpose. The result is a home that feels calm, intuitive and quietly sophisticated. Often the most powerful design decisions are the ones that are almost invisible.
Dubai is constantly changing. How does the city influence your work, your rhythm and your design language?
Dubai is a city of remarkable ambition and extraordinary diversity. It encourages curiosity, embraces innovation and brings together cultures from around the world. Interestingly, the faster the city evolves, the more our clients seek stillness within their homes. That contrast continually inspires us to create interiors that feel balanced, restorative and grounded amidst the energy of the city.
Villa Casabianca, St. Tropez
Who are the people behind Grounded Design, and what does each person bring to the studio?
Grounded Design is shaped by the balance of complementary strengths. Creative direction gives every project its identity and emotional narrative. Strategic leadership guides the studio, nurtures client relationships and ensures every commission reflects our values. Project and commercial leadership transforms ideas into reality through technical precision, thoughtful coordination and meticulous execution. Supporting this is a talented multidisciplinary team of designers, visualisers and technical specialists who share a commitment to craftsmanship, detail and creating spaces of lasting quality.
What do you think clients are looking for today when it comes to interiors and spaces?
There has been a quiet shift away from designing for appearance alone. Clients increasingly seek homes that reflect how they truly live rather than how they wish to be perceived. They value authenticity, craftsmanship and longevity over novelty, recognising that the greatest luxury is a space that feels effortless to inhabit.
More than ever, thoughtful design is about creating a feeling. One of calm, comfort and belonging.
Sculpted Stillness Villa, Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai
What is next for Grounded Design, and what kind of projects or ideas are you excited to explore?
The studio continues to evolve while remaining guided by the same philosophy that inspired its beginnings: creating spaces with integrity, balance and lasting relevance. We are excited by projects where architecture, interiors and landscape are conceived as one seamless composition, alongside hospitality and wellness environments where design has the power to shape experience in meaningful ways. Our ambition has never been to create more projects, but to create better ones. Places that continue to enrich everyday life long after they are completed.
