Remote working inspired an unexpected career change for Dubai designer

Dubai-based Canadian expat, Nathalie Khouri, had a well-established career in marketing before remote working was introduced during the coronavirus pandemic. With over 15 years’ experience across some of the biggest global brands, Nathalie had never considered any other career until she found herself frustrated by her home-based workspace.

Starting out with a modest goal to make her own working environment more comfortable, Nathalie reinvented her career, establishing her own design studio, which now serves some of the UAE’s most prominent families.

Recounting her journey from corporate executive to creative entrepreneur, Nathalie explained, “As a marketing professional I was completely absorbed in my career and never had the time to reflect on my aspirations for the future. Even when I was working from home, my only intention was to create a space that would help me focus better on my job. That small re-design project, which started from a sense of survival mode, ultimately inspired me to work through the rest of the house. With my professional passion of storytelling, I also began to share my journey with friends through social media.”

It was the transformation of a bedroom into a playroom for her children that provided the initial launchpad for Nathalie’s design business.

She revealed, “A friend asked if I could recreate the idea to provide a fun space for her own kids and I was soon receiving more enquiries for a wider range of projects. It was at that point that I realised my passion for design and eye for detail had the potential to culminate in a business.”

Nathalie went on to establish Ralee, an interior design studio that encompasses both residential and commercial projects. Four years on from the workspace re-design that inspired her unexpected career change, Nathalie has an extensive portfolio, ranging from styling rooms to complete home renovations and fit outs. Drawing on her Lebanese roots, Nathalie’s creations focus on stylish, timeless interiors, often influenced by middle eastern design and aesthetics.

Immersing herself in her new career as she had in her past, Nathalie decided to master the principles of Feng Shui, and is a practitioner of the International Feng Shui guild association. She explained, “Energy has a critical role to play in making sure a space feels good, as well as looks good. I learned the traditional Chinese principles of how to create harmonious environments that promote health, wealth, and happiness, and to apply these principles to my interior design projects. Whether it’s the use of natural materials, the placement of furniture, or the application of colour and light, Feng Shui can have a transformative effect on our well-being.”

Now working with high-profile clients on luxurious residential properties, Nathalie believes that the secret to her success is the personal touch.

She said, “My aim is to create spaces that promote balance and harmony and enhance life in meaningful ways. This means working hand-in-hand with clients to design spaces that reflect their unique personalities.”