By: Joshua Finley

What does it take to craft award-winning interiors year after year? Interior designer Rob Bowen has spent over 20 years cultivating his creative vision and building an international brand. With a passion for travel and collaboration, he fuses global inspiration into bespoke living spaces. As Rob reflects, “Design runs in my blood.”

Recently, Rob Bowen shared his valuable insights on how one can be creative and build a brand from ground up:

Laying the Groundwork

Rob knew from an early age he felt called to create. However, he bided his time and first earned business and communications degrees. “I always figured if I was smart enough in business, I could always do design later,” Rob explains.

His initial foray into real estate development allowed him to dip a toe into shaping spaces. A chance feature of his modern home in a local paper quickly transitioned him into full-time design work. “That day, I got a call from someone saying, ‘Hey, we’ve been looking for someone like you. We want you to do our house,’” he recalls.

When asked what sparked his talents, Rob acknowledges his inherent “raw creativity.” However, he’s quick to note the decades of work honing his skills. “Design is in my blood,” he states, while emphasizing “I’ve spent 20 years cultivating my creative vision.”

Fostering Team Creativity

At his firm, Rob Bowen Design, he fosters a collaborative, energetic team. “I want to capture designers before they’ve been taught what’s wrong with design. I want to see that raw energy, that raw creativeness,” Rob shares. He encourages respectful debate and outside-the-box thinking.

To keep his team inspired, Rob allows flexible “creative time” for employees. He states, “If it involves walking across the street and walking the park, if you want to get your hair done, if you want to go to Zumba class – whatever makes you creative.” Rob knows one-size motivation doesn’t fit all, but personalized flexibility unlocks each employee’s potential.

Client-Centered Design

While his team adds invaluable insights, Rob stresses design centers on clients. “Design is not about me. It’s about the client. This is not my house, it’s your house,” he notes. He spends extensive time learning each client’s lifestyle and preferences for a custom result.

Rob states his favorite projects are when clients say, “I never envisioned myself living in something like this. You have taken what I wanted and elevated it.” This praise motivates him to keep enhancing his creative process.

Pushing Creative Boundaries

To avoid repetitive work across projects, Rob constantly tweaks designs. “We never really try to repeat any single piece whatsoever,” he explains. He tailors lighting, textiles, furnishings, and art so each client has “a one of a kind piece.”

In addition to aesthetic details, he explores sensory experiences. Rob shares, “It’s a full departure from reality when they get home. It’s fun.” He indulges in signature scents, soundscapes, and tactile choices for a multi-layered environment.

Expanding His Brand

While residential projects remain Rob’s bread and butter, he increasingly moves into product design. He envisions launching lighting, rug, and furniture collections to bring his vision to wider audiences.

Rob also stretches his talents to hospitality spaces like his popular St. Petersburg restaurant, Social Roost Kitchen & Bar. He reflects, “We created this globally inspired scratch kitchen and brought it to downtown St. Pete.”

Though his brand flourishes, Rob keeps his firm small and nimble. He states, “Keeping our staff extremely small, paying them and empowering them to just be super badass is probably one of my secrets to success.” A tight-knit team delivers his trademark attention to each project.

For those hoping to craft equally creative careers, Rob advises taking risks. He encourages, “Don’t be so stubborn not to try again and again.” He also stresses the value of mentors. “Hire very smart people to help run your business,” Rob urges.

By fusing global influences, local contexts, and client-centered design, Rob continues growing his brand. To learn more about him, visit his website.

Published by: Khy Talara