“A Building is the mere foundation of any established entity. It is the elements that create its atmosphere, and the factors that contribute to the creation of its identity – these are what determines quality.” These are the words that headline Wardalmuna Alkhonji Interior Design, a one-stop-shop interior design studio created by the ambitious Engineer Wardalmuna Alkhonji.
A pioneer in the field of interior design in Oman, Wardalmuna established her Interior Design Studio in the summer of 2016 with a clear purpose of making its customers’ visions a reality in the most meaningful way possible; providing them guidance and support, listening to their stories, and using these tools to bring the interior of their dreams to life.
Wardalmuna has always shared a passion for art and mathematics and an eye for business. “I am as much a businesswoman as I am an interior designer, maybe even more so. My father has always been my greatest inspiration. Observing him work is how I learnt all my business skills. My mother, on the other hand, always had a flair for art, design, and mathematics, and I believe I picked up my love for these subjects from her.
“As surprising as it may sound, I did not initially plan on taking up interior designing as a career. I was recommended it by my family, as they felt it would suit my tastes in art and would be the one that would fill in an untapped niche within the Oman market,” she added. Following their recommendation, she took up interior design at the Northumbria School of Design – Northumbria University, New Castle, UK.
On completing her course and returning to Oman, she took a two-year break followed by a short stint at a small local design office, one that was relatively well versed in interior design. “During my time with them I learnt quite a few valuable skills as well as gained a better understanding of the market. This also allowed me to gauge how I could better implement my skills and knowledge to carve my own path ahead,” she said.
“One thing I figured out relatively quickly was that interior design as a concept is still in its infancy here in the Sultanate. The market is still learning to grasp the ideas and concepts behind it. As a result, the market is more concerned with physical deliverables such a technical drawings and 3D designs as opposed to discussing and formulating high-quality concepts and designs that are tailored to their needs. They also still work around a “per sq.m” payment system that does not logically lend itself well to a design practice, especially one where time spent on a project is proportional to complexity of the project and not its size.”
According to Wardalmuna, Interior design is science melded with art. It’s not just about selecting a colour and adding whatever customers want. It has a lot to do with the practicality of the space and telling a story, taking account of how many people use the space and in what way they will do so; all of which are more important than just the basic look of the area.
“Our job as interior designers is to offer solutions to your ideas or problems. It’s similar to the work doctors do. One does not go to a doctor and request for medication. They instead inform them of their symptoms or issues they face and it’s the doctor’s job to diagnose and prescribe the appropriate treatment or medication.
“True interior design works in much the same way. It’s not the job of an interior designer to just design a space based on the client’s requests word-for-word and do it as fast as possible. It is our job to take a client’s ideas and advise them on what works and what doesn’t, offering them alternatives wherever possible; especially if it is something that will adversely affect them in the long run. In the end, offering them something that is aesthetically pleasing, functional, and uniquely tailored to their needs,” said Wardalmuna.
With these concepts in mind, Wardalmuna set out on her journey with two objectives in mind – to open her own design studio and to do everything in her power to spread awareness and educate the market on interior design.
“I don’t necessarily believe in operating a large sized design studio. I prefer in keeping things small yet dynamic. I focus on creativity and innovation, not size. Working with a smaller number of staff not only keeps overheads low but also allows us to stay focused and work closer with our clients, developing designs that truly benefit them.”
With this in mind, she set up the Wardalmuna Alkhonji Interior Design Studio in 2016. “For anyone starting a business, it is important to know where you stand and understand your limits. While it is good to challenge yourself, it is also never a good idea to try and compete at a level you know you cannot handle. You need to recognise where your market is and capitalise on it to the best of your ability.
She added, “From the very moment I decided to start my own business I knew I wanted it to be a lifetime thing. This is why I started it slow. I wanted it to grow organically. I didn’t want it to grow too fast and go beyond what I could handle.”
Working with minimal staff, Wardalmuna began taking on some truly challenging projects, touching the hearts of everyone she has worked with and exceeding expectations with each new design. In no time her portfolio began to grow and today includes some truly prominent government and private sector projects, both commercial and residential.
At around the same time that she established her design studio, and in her quest to raise the profile of interior designers in the country, she started an exclusive group via WhatsApp for Omani designers. As part of the group she organised several meetings on a monthly basis, inviting influential speakers from the industry to spread their knowledge. Sadly, the current situation has put a damper on their meetings. However, Wardalmuna remained undeterred and continues to organise meeting online via Zoom.
Outside of the designer’s group, she also hosts a number of workshops and gives presentations at local colleges and universities on a regular basis. She has also launched a new website for her business which will now act as a front for her business. With a focus on accessibility, especially in light of the current situation, all her studio’s services are available virtually for customers right from the comfort of their home. Interested parties can also request for consultations, virtual or in-house training, workshops or even booking a one-to-one session to discuss matters that customers are unsure how to handle.
When asked about what advice she would like to give to budding interior designers, looking to start their own business, Wardalmuna said, “Picking the right university and course is extremely vital. Ask experienced designers for advice and pick what is right for you. Work on your English as it is the key to success in this business. More importantly, don’t let money be the driving force behind your business; rather love what you do and let your ideas and innovation guide you. Self-fulfilment is what is truly important. Make a goal for yourself, as long as you achieve that, you have achieved success; regardless of what other people think.
But the greatest piece of advice I can give is to always remember your name is far more valuable than money. You can always earn back money you have lost, but redeeming a tarnished reputation is borderline impossible. Always be professional, respectful, manage time properly, and work with integrity. Believe in yourself and love what you do, this is the recipe for success in any business.”
