Seeking Interior Design Rooted in Cultural Heritage

Jul 27, 2023

Katarina Barakovska, an interior designer and the founder of the Perth, Australia-based Moda Interiors, said more and more clients come to her seeking designs that are rooted in their cultural heritage while still feeling current.

Ms. Barakovska specializes in this fusion of storied familial culture and modern design. Whether she is designing a multigenerational palace in India or envisioning a European-style, modern architectural home in Swanbourne, Australia, Katarina's work grows from her deep attention to how clients live and interact with their space.

"To bring a family's personality to the forefront of their home, you first need to really understand their cultural values and what being together as a family means to them," Ms. Barakovska said. "Key details, such as the right artwork or piece of furniture, can hold cultural stories, create conversations, and inspire curiosity. They can teach our children and families about where we come from."

Mansion Global spoke with Ms. Barakovska about the impact of culturally conscious design and how to curate an intimate sense of personal luxury in the home.

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Mansion Global: How did you come to focus your interior design work on representing family culture?

Katarina Barakovska: Being Macedonian and living in Australia, I had to adapt to cultural differences early in life. Australia being so multicultural really inspired me. Through my work, I had a lot of opportunities to design with people from different cultures and backgrounds.

I like exploring how people make decisions—how families decide on what to bring into their living environment, what kind of home they want to create, and the methodology behind those decisions.

For example, I have a lot of clients from an Indian background, and many of the briefs we take need to consider the values and needs of intergenerational living. Often, the priority is "if my children are happy and my parents are happy, then I’m happy." This focus on balance and harmony—and the innate generosity of it—informs happiness in their home, which is very different to the typical, individualist Western style of families.

One of my favorite projects was when we worked on a renovation for a client from Mongolia. We turned the sitting room into a Mongolian Yurt. For this, we imported a saddle from Mongolia, a traditional cabinet and a rug. We applied construction and design formulas so that the room had the visual impact of feeling round despite being rectangular. It was really fascinating.

MG: What is the most luxurious room in your home?

KB: I would have to say it's my bedroom. This is my switch-off zone. Compared to the rest of the house and its common spaces, the bedroom is uniquely mine and my husband's and defined by our shared style and relationship. It's not about the outward appearances or the entertaining. It keeps me grounded—it's a space that reflects my values and inspires me.

The elements of luxury—other than how it makes me feel—are especially in the quality of the custom furniture, finishes, and fabrics, which includes a luxury snakeskin side chair, a silk rug, a custom gincabinet, luxury curtains, a crystal chandelier, an oversized headboard and beautiful cushions.

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MG: What project are you currently excited about?

KB: One of the very exciting projects in the pipeline is a luxury yacht, which is soon to be finished. Others include a fantastic renovation project in Queensland, on the Gold Coast, which we will be commencing soon. I’m excited for the challenges that come with this brief. It's a real blend of styles—a bohemian exterior, a Ralph Lauren interior—which is a feature of my favorite kinds of projects. I love stylistic blends because they reflect the unique way people's lived experiences are translated, culturally and artistically, into their homes. It's very inspiring.

MG: What design trends are you most excited about?

KB: Bringing back natural elements, natural tone, timber—the reconstituted [man-made] is not as popular anymore. I love natural stone, and the authenticity and durability of natural elements. But, overall, I tend not to design to trends, my focus is on design for lifestyles.

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MG: Which trends do you think are on their way out?

KB: Curves and reconstituted stone. More and more, people are wanting timelessness and flexibility in their spaces.

MG: What's your own definition of luxury?

KB: It's not necessarily about dollars. It's much more about a space truly resonating with the person who lives within it. Everything should contribute to your story and how you tell it. It should connect to your experiences and passions and travels. The goal is that, each time you walk into your home, you fall in love with it again. That's luxury.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

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