The world of interior design is evolving rapidly as technology, sustainability, and shifting lifestyles redefine what it means to create beautiful spaces. Designers now balance speed, sustainability, and digital immersion—without compromising on luxury. While AI and 3D visualization are transforming the process, the human touch remains essential in turning houses into homes. At the forefront of this design evolution stands Perla Lichi, a renowned Interior Designer at Perla Lichi Design. While fully embracing innovation and emerging technologies, she remains firmly rooted in the belief that the most impactful spaces are those that resonate emotionally. In her approach, true luxury is defined not just by aesthetics, but by meaningful, human-centered design.
Imagine walking into a home so breathtaking that it doesn’t just dazzle the eyes, it speaks to the soul. This is the magic created by Perla Lichi, an acclaimed Interior Designer who has been transforming spaces for over 40 years. An honors graduate of the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), she has designed hundreds of residences throughout South Florida and across the U.S. With a dazzling portfolio of over 600 international awards and a clientele that includes some of the world’s most discerning luxury homeowners, Perla doesn’t just design interiors, she crafts interiors that breathe life into architecture, turning square footage into stories.
A design trailblazer, Perla broke the mold of high-end interiors by sharing her creative process through popular coffee table books, magazine features, and her hit TV show The Décor Diva™. Whether crafting old-world luxury in Dubai or sleek modernism in Miami, her brilliance lies in translating a client’s soul into a space that feels deeply personal.
Now embracing AI and 3D tech, Perla continues to evolve while staying rooted in her core belief: true luxury isn’t just about materials, it’s about creating homes that reflect identity and enrich life’s most meaningful moments.
The Unseen Challenges Behind Beautiful Spaces
Every extraordinary success story is shaped by adversity, and Perla’s leap into international design in 2005 was no different. Guided by her creative brilliance, she faced the challenge of entering unfamiliar markets, understanding cultural nuances, and building trust across borders, all while staying true to her vision.
Amid the whirlwind of new languages and expectations, she came to a quiet realization: regardless of origin, people everywhere long to feel seen, inspired, and at home in their spaces. This realization became the heart of her work, elevating her designs into deeply personal, emotional experiences.
From the towers of Dubai and Abu Dhabi to villas in South Africa, the grandeur of Russia, and the vibrance of Kenya, each project reflected her signature luxury while honoring the client’s culture and story. The challenges didn’t hold her back; they shaped her.
Today, Perla’s global portfolio is a testament to her adaptability, empathy, and belief that great design is about more than beauty; it’s about the people who live in it.
Where Wanderlust meets Design Genius?
For Perla, great design isn’t just about fabrics and finishes, it’s about staying open to the world’s magic. She firmly believes that inspiration is all around us, waiting to be discovered by those with the curiosity to seek it and the vision to recognize its potential.
Perla, known for her love of people and passion for exploration, draws creative inspiration from the places she visits and the stories she hears—whether walking along the cliffs of Santorini, exploring the streets of Rome, or experiencing the vibrant energy of New York. But it’s not just places that move her; it’s the people within them. The laughter shared with an artisan in Mexico City, the unexpected color combination spotted in a Parisian café, the way light dances through a Barcelona courtyard, these everyday moments become the seeds of her next masterpiece.
What distinguishes Perla is not only her refined aesthetic but also her conviction that “the most meaningful design trends are born from human connection, not from runways or magazines.” Through attentive listening and keen observation, she has cultivated an exceptional ability to anticipate what clients will desire in their homes—often before broader trends emerge.
For her, “design is a continuous dialogue with the world,” one that informs her work and keeps it consistently fresh, relevant, and deeply personal. As she affirms, “the most enduring designs aren’t dictated by trends—they’re rooted in lived experience.”
A Bold and Transparent Design Philosophy
Perla stands out in the interior design world not only for her stunning work but also for her bold commitment to transparency, an approach that defines the ethos of Perla Lichi Design. In an industry once known for secrecy, her firm sets a new standard by openly sharing knowledge, processes, and expertise to empower clients and peers alike. Rather than guarding her methods, she chose to empower others, openly sharing design techniques, trusted vendors, and professional insights to demystify the design process. Her mission went beyond business; it was about making luxury design accessible and helping others see what’s possible.
To bring this vision to life, she authored seven coffee table books, beginning with You Deserve Beautiful Rooms in 1997. These books were more than just portfolios; they combined captivating photography, expert advice, and Perla’s unmistakable passion, encouraging homeowners everywhere to reimagine their spaces. Even when others replicated her ideas, Perla embraced them, knowing that her originality and commitment to quality would always distinguish her.
Her philosophy was clear and impactful: “Transparency doesn’t diminish exclusivity—it builds trust.” Through sharing, she proved that great design isn’t just about aesthetics but about joy, comfort, and the lasting value of a home. For Perla, every room tells a story, and her greatest joy lies in helping others feel confident enough to tell their own.
The Perla Touch – Exclusive, Enduring, Extraordinary
Perla knows that a truly remarkable space isn’t just stunning, it’s intuitive. Today’s clients don’t want to choose between beauty, functionality, and sustainability; they crave all three, seamlessly woven together. That’s why every detail from a handcrafted sofa to an eco-conscious fabric is thoughtfully selected to reflect not just style, but values.
What sets her apart is her enduring partnerships with artisans and suppliers who share her commitment to quality and innovation. This careful curation means her clients, whether a busy family or a high-profile CEO, get spaces that don’t just impress, but endure. And with her exclusive line of custom furniture and textiles, she ensures no two homes ever feel the same because Perla believes that every space should tell its owner’s story—beautifully, purposefully, and responsibly.
“The best designs don’t just change rooms, they change how people feel about their lives.”
Perla Lichi has designed everything from grand estates to luxurious castles, yet when asked about her most meaningful project, she points to a modest condo at L’Hermitage in Fort Lauderdale, not for its size, but for the transformation it inspired.
The results were immediate, while the realtors were amazed as the property’s value surged, with Victor Attias of The Attias Group stating, “Perla doesn’t just decorate, she creates homes that spark bidding wars.”
The true success, however, was the experience of a young couple who had nearly lost hope. “We had given up,” they shared, until Perla’s design not only revitalized the space but also reignited their emotional connection to it.
This project reflects Perla’s deeper talent: crafting designs that go beyond aesthetics to restore joy, confidence, and a renewed sense of possibility. As she says, “The best designs don’t just change rooms, they change how people feel about their lives.” And often, that kind of transformation is more valuable than any castle.
Awards And Industry Recognitions
Perla’s award-winning designs have not only redesigned luxury interiors but also set new benchmarks in the world of design. Here’s a glimpse of her extraordinary recognition and impact:
- 600+ Prestigious Awards: Her firm has been honored with top local, national, and international accolades, with many projects earning perfect scores from discerning judges.
- Media Spotlight: From a featured segment on Luxury Living Insider to a record-breaking episode of South Africa’s Top Billing, her work has been celebrated as “the most extraordinary I’ve ever seen” by hosts and critics alike.
- “The Princess of Panache”: A fitting title for her iconic Dubai projects, showcasing her signature blend of bold creativity and opulent elegance.
- Magazine Covers: Her designs have graced the covers of THE NYC JOURNAL, Decor USA, World of Decor, FLORIDA DECOR, and countless other publications, solidifying her status as a design visionary.
- Beyond the Trophies: These accolades reflect her studio’s unmatched ability to transform spaces, elevate standards, and create deeply personal sanctuaries for clients worldwide.
- Driven to Innovate: For Perla Lichi, every award is both a milestone and a challenge to keep pushing boundaries while crafting spaces that inspire and endure.
The Phone Never Stopped Ringing – Here’s Why
Perla’s clients don’t seek passing trends; they come for timeless, luxurious homes that feel both grand and deeply personal. While trends come and go, Perla’s timeless design approach continues to captivate generations of clients.
Her lasting impact is reflected in client loyalty. Families who hired her 30 years ago still return now with larger dreams, like the Castle of Wellington vacation estate for a longtime client. “They remember how their first home felt,” she says, “not just how it looked.”
Though she occasionally designs commercial spaces, it’s usually at the request of residential clients wanting her signature touch. At her core, Perla is most passionate about creating homes where families grow, gather, and make lifelong memories.
Where Ethics Meet Aesthetics?
When it comes to client privacy, ethical sourcing, and compliance, especially on high-end or international projects, Perla treats trust as the foundation of everything she does. Having worked with celebrities, business leaders, and even royalty, she knows that privacy isn’t just a courtesy; it’s a non-negotiable. “If you break that trust, word travels fast,” she often says, “and you don’t get a second chance.” That’s why every member of her team understands the importance of discretion from day one.
But it’s not just about confidentiality; Perla also ensures that materials are responsibly sourced and partners are held to the same ethical standards she lives by. For her, great design isn’t just about creating beauty, it’s about doing the right thing for the people she serves and the world they live in.
“This isn’t just another makeover show—it’s design school meets storytelling.”
Perla Lichi is about to make design dreams more accessible than ever. Remember those insightful newspaper columns she wrote in the 90s, where she made interior design feel approachable yet transformative? She’s bringing that same warm, expert guidance to television with her upcoming show, The Décor Diva™.
This isn’t just another design program – it’s Perla’s way of inviting viewers behind the velvet rope of luxury interiors to show how great design truly changes lives. “I want people to understand that hiring a professional designer isn’t about extravagance,” she explains. “It’s about creating spaces that make your heart sing every time you walk in – while being smart investments too.”
The show promises to be equal parts inspiration and education, filled with Perla’s signature blend of practical wisdom and creative magic. For those who’ve followed her career from newspaper columns to coffee table books, this feels like catching up with an old friend who just happens to be a design genius.
Time-Tested Craft Meets Tomorrow’s Tools
Perla Lichi Design strikes the perfect balance between old-school precision and modern technological innovation, blending time-tested craftsmanship with cutting-edge tools to deliver exceptional, personalized interiors. Their trusted Design Manager software, used for over 20 years, continues to track every fabric, fixture, and furniture detail with time-tested accuracy. Meanwhile, clients now experience immersive, photo-realistic 3D “dream tours” of their future spaces. “Seeing that rendering of our great room was the moment everything clicked,” shares one client. “I cried happy tears walking through a room that didn’t exist yet.”
Behind the scenes, a smart CRM remembers everything from favorite color palettes to personal quirks, adding a concierge-like touch. And with AI tools soon joining the mix, Perla jokes, “Maybe it’ll finally invent a 25th hour in the day for us designers.”
Technology is used to bring each client’s vision to life without ever losing the human connection at the heart of great design. While tools like 3D renderings and smart systems enhance the process, Perla ensures that every space remains deeply personal, emotionally resonant, and a true reflection of the people who live in it.
A Passion for Design that Extends Beyond Interior
Perla Lichi’s passion for design extends far beyond creating beautiful spaces. For years, she’s generously mentored emerging talent and shared her expertise as a sought-after industry voice. As an alumna and former board member of The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, Perla is passionate about giving back. She mentors young designers with the same warmth and wisdom that shaped her journey, reminding us that real leadership in design isn’t just about personal success, but about helping others grow along the way.
This same generous spirit makes her a captivating speaker, regularly lighting up design conferences from DCOTA panels to national design center events. Audiences consistently praise her rare ability to blend professional insight with genuine connection, making complex design concepts accessible to all.
An Open Letter To Emerging Design Professionals
By Perla Lichi, Interior Designer (Perla Lichi Design)
Dear Designers,
Interior design isn’t just about creating beautiful spaces; it’s about telling meaningful stories. Over the years, I’ve learned that the most powerful designs come from listening, observing, and staying true to your unique perspective.
You’ll face challenges, but let them shape your voice. Trends may come and go, but human connection never goes out of style. True inspiration lives in everyday moments, in culture, and in the people you design for.
At Perla Lichi Design, we balance innovation with intuition. Technology can enhance your process, but emotion brings your work to life. Never lose sight of that.
Most importantly, share your knowledge. Transparency builds trust, and growth happens when we lift each other up.
Trust your journey. Keep learning. And always design with purpose.
Warmly,
Perla Lichi
Interior Designer, Perla Lichi Design
Key takeaways:
- Pioneered transparency in the luxury interior design industry.
- Expanded globally with a culturally sensitive design approach.
- Published books and media to educate clients.
- Combines AI and 3D tech with personalization.
- Over 600 awards affirm global design excellence.
- Transforms homes into emotionally resonant masterpieces.
