Beyond “Millennial Grey”: Designing a Home That Honors Your Culture
There was a time — not long ago — when nearly every apartment seemed to echo the same muted tone: a soft grey couch, abstract wall art, and identical brass accents. While these neutral palettes had their place, they often lacked something essential — personality. Or more specifically, heritage.
At Mazen Designs, we believe the most compelling interiors are those that tell stories. And there’s no story more important than your own. Whether you were raised in Brooklyn, Beirut, Bogotá, or Berlin, the textures, traditions, and rituals you grew up with deserve a place in your home. Your space should be a reflection of who you are — not just what’s trending.
Culture as a Design Language
Interior design is not just visual — it’s deeply emotional. A woven tapestry from your grandmother’s home in Mexico. A carved wooden spoon from your father’s kitchen in Ghana. A framed textile from your time in Istanbul. These are more than artifacts — they are anchors. And when thoughtfully integrated into a modern space, they transform a home from stylish to soulful.
Design shouldn’t erase where we come from. It should celebrate it.
Big and Small Ways to Infuse Cultural Identity
Cultural expression doesn’t have to dominate the room. Sometimes the most subtle nods carry the most weight. Here are a few ideas we often explore with clients:
1. Heritage Dinnerware
A Swedish client of ours once mentioned how important family meals were growing up — not just the food, but the specific plates they were served on. We sourced vintage Rörstrand porcelain for their dining nook. It was a quiet but powerful way to bring their past into their present.
2. Textile-Based Memory
From Moroccan Beni Ourain rugs to Japanese indigo-dyed cushions, textiles are an easy way to bring in history through material. These pieces not only carry beauty but craftsmanship — often passed down from generation to generation.
3. Color and Pattern
Color has cultural significance around the world. Reds, golds, and deep blues may represent celebration, spirituality, or tradition in many homes. A wall color or tile choice rooted in your cultural memory is far more meaningful than what a paint swatch suggests.
4. Room as Tribute
We’ve worked with clients who want an entire room — a study, a prayer space, a gallery wall — to serve as a tribute to their heritage. One recent client asked for a reading room inspired by her grandmother’s home in Casablanca: arched entryways, terracotta tones, carved wood, and layered textures. It wasn’t themed — it was true.
A Personal Note on Cultural Influence
As someone who was born in Homs, Syria, and raised in Portland, Oregon, I’ve always lived between worlds. My mother, who raised me as a single parent, worked long hours but always found ways to keep our culture present — through food, language, and the few heirlooms we carried with us.
When I design, I draw from that experience. I don’t design rooms — I design stories. And every story deserves its own visual language.
Culture doesn’t have to be loud or literal. It can be quiet and poetic — a curve in the architecture, a specific scent, or a tactile memory embedded in a textile. But it should be there.
Why This Matters Today
In an age where so many interiors are driven by uniform aesthetics — minimalism, beige-on-beige palettes, overly curated shelves — we’re starting to lose the individuality that makes a home personal.
Your home shouldn’t look like everyone else’s. Because you don’t look like anyone else.
At Mazen Designs, we encourage clients to dig deeper. What childhood object brings you comfort? What textures remind you of home? What colors, scents, or rituals shaped who you are? These questions often unlock the design direction that no Pinterest board can.
Let’s Tell Your Story
If you’re ready to move beyond trend-based interiors and create a space that reflects your roots — whether in subtle nods or bold declarations — we’d be honored to help.
You can view our portfolio to see how we’ve helped others tell their story through space or reach out directly through our contact page to begin the conversation.
Culture is beauty and there’s room for all of it.
— Mazen Eshak
Founder, Mazen Designs