In the world of interior design, Mariam Kharshiladze’s work stands out for its structural clarity and emotional depth. Her studio, DOOR 032, works across the full cycle – from planning to the final details, creating homes shaped around real life, so the space adapts to the person, not the other way around.
Author: Kakhi Chakvetadze
Mariam, when and why did you become interested in interior design?
I have always been passionate about design. I graduated from the Academy of Arts, and before interior design, I had a successful shoe brand with sales in Georgia and abroad.
My first actual project was designing my own home. I became deeply interested in the process and realized this was the field where I felt most comfortable. Gradually, my previous business shifted naturally into interior design.
I have always paid attention to interesting spaces, objects, furniture and materials. When I moved into interior design , I understood that I had found the work that inspires me. Creating spaces where people spend their most meaningful time brings me great satisfaction.
Your approach is built around three main elements: space, function and atmosphere. Why these three, and how do you combine them effectively?
Good design is not just about aesthetics. It must support everyday comfort and create the right feeling for living.
Everything begins with the correct use of space. Then comes function, which defines how a person will move, live and interact within it. Atmosphere is the emotional layer that gives a home its character and warmth.
These elements depend on one another. My process follows this logic: first structure, then purpose, and finally the details that shape the mood of the home.
What makes an interior both practical and personal? How do you maintain balance?
Balance appears when the visual side does not interfere with daily comfort. An interior becomes personal when decisions reflect real habits and lifestyle — whether someone lives alone or with a family, has children, or follows a fast-paced routine.
My goal is to make every decision aligned with real life while keeping a clear stylistic identity. This is how you avoid a space that is either purely decorative or only functional.
What common mistakes do people make in this process?
Choosing materials or furniture based only on appearance. The outcome may look good in photos but become inconvenient in everyday use. A well-designed interior begins with the right questions, not with pictures from Pinterest.
When did you establish DOOR 032, and what was the inspiration behind the name?
Our team’s practice has existed for five years, but only recently we reached a stage where shaping the studio as a brand and defining its positioning became important. We collaborated with ORS PAIR, the brand studio of Natia Chomakhashvili and Tea Tchanturidze, on creating the DOOR 032 brand. The naming was also part of this process.
The name carries meaning. A door represents entering a space and beginning a new stage, symbolizing a home created from idea to key. The number 032 is Tbilisi’s code. For me, Tbilisi is a mix of old and new, diverse architecture, strong character and a specific energy that defines the city.
What is Door032’s niche in the market, and what services do you provide?
We create spaces from the initial idea to the final handover. DOOR 032 guides the entire process — from planning to the final object, giving each space its own character, whether it’s an old Tbilisi apartment or a modern, untouched layout.
DOOR 032 manages the full process — planning, design, renovation oversight, material sourcing, furniture selection and, when needed, custom furniture production.
We also work on design-only projects, depending on the client’s needs. This makes the process easier for clients and ensures a personalized, functional and well-built home.
This is demanding work. How do you manage the process efficiently? Which stage carries the most responsibility?
Full-cycle projects are indeed demanding, so a strong structure and team are essential. Over time, we learned how to organize processes so they remain stress-free for both us and our clients.
Every stage requires responsibility, which is why our workflow is very clear and transparent.
What do clients appreciate most when working with you and DOOR 032?
Two things: the simplicity and comfort of the process, and the final result meeting their expectations. This is especially important in interior design.
Why should design be personal? How do you combine your vision with the client’s needs?
An interior is successful when it genuinely serves the person who lives in it. Everyone has different preferences and habits. A designer’s role is to understand these needs and turn them into thoughtful, tasteful solutions. My aim is to show clients how their wishes can evolve into a well-designed space.
What happens when your views and the client’s views do not fully match? What is an ideal client for you?
A perfect match is not always necessary. What matters is finding common understanding. Our priority is always the client’s satisfaction.
What trends do you observe in Georgia’s interior design field, and how is the industry developing?
Trends matter less when working on individual projects, but interest is growing in minimalist and functional homes where aesthetics and everyday life are in harmony.
Renewing Old Tbilisi interiors while preserving their historic character also remains popular.
DOOR 032 already operates a full-cycle model. Is there anything more you would like to develop?
Creating custom furniture and objects for various projects showed us the demand in this direction. For now, we do this when needed, but in the future we want to develop our own line of objects and furniture under the DOOR 032 name, based on our aesthetic and design language.
