EVA KHOURY DESIGNER

EVA KHOURY FOR RIVA DEL SOLE RESORT & SPA

Designer Eva Khoury, included in the list of the 100 most influential women in Italy by Forbes Magazine, has put her talent and experience at the service of Riva del Sol Resort & Spa, redesigning the Conference Centre, Supermarket, 155 hotel rooms, the Riva’z Pizzeria & Grill, the wonderful La Palma Restaurant, and above all the two suites of excellence, Coral Suite and Exotik Suite. Eva’s strength in her hospitality design is through the adaptability of the interiors.

Tell us a little about your background in design. I come from a hospitality background, this is why my designs are very adapted to the hotels and restaurants world, they integrate functionality with beauty at the same time.

Please describe the highlight of your career to date. When someone asks me about the highlights of my career, I think of inspiration, every day is a new challenge, and when the brain merges with the emotions the outcome is everything we know to put in action for creation and execution, when the result is seen on the ground, then it’s one great highlights...crossing fingers the client is happy ultimately.

How did achieving this make you feel?

It’s a step-by-step process, mainly how we react to things. Maturity helps a lot.

What project(s) are you currently working on?

I have many projects ongoing, hopefully they will see the light soon… one of them is a big lobby and a beach club.

Tell us a little more about these project(s)...

They are earthy and have a very relaxing atmosphere, they are merged with nature.

Please describe the project you are most proud of to date, with reasons why this was a success?

I always think there is much more to each project delivered I could have done better, I guess this is an artist deformation in me talking. My projects are never good enough for me, I realise they are good when people around me love the job done. It’s kind of difficult for me to answer this question.

Where do you find inspiration for your work?

My inspiration sometimes comes from the most unpredictable places... underground, nature, clouds, cooking, or even in a dream while sleeping.

How do you relax and find your work/ life balance?

I love what I do, so to relax is for me something I hardly know how to manage, the question should be the other way around, yet, a good glass of wine over a sunset is quite perfect for me.

Has this changed in recent years?

After confinement, things changed... I kind of like the tranquillity to work remotely without taking many planes and trains, lots of meetings are done quicker and easier through the web.

How would you describe your work/design style /ethos?

Very versatile. I cannot imagine my style as on. I am as international as someone can be and so are my creations.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?

In a general sense I think that we need to design and create wisely in order to have functionality combined with minimum running cost. We have to take in to consideration that our planet recourses are getting to the extreme, so if we manage to do our part in creating cost effective creations, then our work is done.

How is your work evolving?

It is going towards acknowledging what the planet is asking us to do, get as green as possible as we can.

What area(s) of the design sector do you work in for the most part?

Hospitality design, Hotels, restaurants, and all that is around it.

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months and beyond?

I hope one day to settle to be happy with the final project delivered. Every time I deliver a project, I still think I could have done better.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2023 and beyond.

Green, light, warm, new, creative.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?

Music and internet.

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?

Dream big details will follow. Said a girl hooked up on details! (me)

How important are The International Design Awards?

For me it is quite important, as I said before, I am never happy with what I do, so if someone awards me the International Design Award, then my joy is quite big.

EVA KHOURY

Featured image: rivadelsole.it