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The Radisson Hotel in Dubai Media City.

Director of IMA Interiors, Isabelle Miaja, talks about growing an international business, getting a lucky break in Dubai and designing projects for the Middle East region.

She started with an eye on Paris fashion, but soon turned to interior design.

When the opportunity came to do the interior for the Radisson SAS in Dubai Media City, it was too good an opportunity to let go.

Isabelle Miaja tells CID about the trials, tribulations and rewards of becoming an internationally recognised interior designer for the hotel industry.

What is your first memory of being interested in design?

My first interest in design started with my father, who was a jewellery designer. Then, being in Paris, fashion played a big part in my life.

When I first arrived in Los Angeles, I started my studies in fashion design until I met my partner Robert.

He introduced me to the fun of interior design and I discovered that not only could I play with colours and fabric, but a whole world of design was at hand to excite my imagination.

What is your formal training in the interior design field?

My initial training was in fashion, so I diverted to interior design by training with my partner Robert.

I started my first company at 24, being a support office to many of the famous designers in LA.

Working with such a variety of people taught me a flexibility of style, as well as defining my own.

Interior design is about developing your own finesse, and your own uniqueness. Flair and sureness of taste cannot be taught, it is inherent in the individual.

Tell us about your first design job...

Funny you should ask that; I just read an account of my first project I had written at that time, more out of frustration than contentment.

I was contracted to design my father-in-law's Los Angeles office on Wilshire Boulevard.

I started the project quite enthusiastically, choosing carpet, wallpaper, accessories and plants, and all was going well until I took on the task of repainting the desks.

It was the last job that needed to be done and I took to it with gusto on a Saturday morning.

One by one each of the desks was sprayed and I was proud of my effort.

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