Behind the Scenes of an Interior Styling Studio

 Over the last year, I’ve come to see how much of the process remains invisible. The images that appear in magazines or on social media are merely the surface — behind them lies a layered, logistical process shaped by countless deliberate decisions.

Interior styling differs from design in both rhythm and approach. We enter the project at a different stage, often when construction is complete but the home still feels unfinished. Our role is to bring in the warmth, identity, colour and texture that helps the space come alive. It is our canvas. This means sourcing pieces that feel personal, planning layouts that balance art with furniture, and curating every corner to reflect the people who will live there.

What most people do not realise is the level of orchestration involved. A styling day is a constant flow of conversations with vendors, production partners and clients. On one end, we might be negotiating with a craftsperson in Jaipur to customise a brass table. On the other, we could be coordinating delivery timelines so that the project stays on track. Styling requires both creative instinct and logistical agility.

A big part of our behind-the-scenes work is sourcing. For us, sourcing is not a checklist. It is storytelling. Every vase, rug or sculpture we choose must speak to the larger narrative of the home. That means travel, research, trial, and sometimes rejection. The piece must feel right, not just look right. Often, a project’s emotional resonance lies in these quieter details—the bench inherited from their grandmother, the artwork discovered in a quiet gallery in Thailand, the linen gathered from a market in Lisbon, the lamp carried home from Marrakech and so on

Then comes installation. This is where the entire vision takes shape. We are on site, placing each item, adjusting heights, checking light, and refining composition. The process can stretch over several weeks. A rug that is 10 cm too large can throw off the visual balance. A lamp that is too bright can change the mood of a room. Our job is to get every element to speak to the space.

A Home That Speaks There is no one-size-fits-all method here. Each project requires a new lens, and each home teaches us something. For me, working behind the scenes at a styling-first studio has shown that the work is equal parts art and alignment.

by Arushi Mehta