Designer Profile: Paris Forino

The New York-based Australian interior designer talks to us about her career, clients and plans

Living rooms
(Image credit: Tim Waltman/Binyan Studios/Colin Miller)

Paris Forino, based in New York City and working globally, has developed a reputation for creating interiors of timeless elegance and understated luxury infused with beauty, light and harmony. 

She creates fully conceived and exquisitely executed spaces marked by thoughtful consideration of proportion, purpose and emotional experience. Rich details, historical features and clean lines complement a multifaceted and inspired choice of palette, material and texture to result in gorgeous interiors that surprise and delight.

Here, we discover more about her. 

What is your style aesthetic?

Paris Forino

(Image credit: Williams New York)

'Our style aesthetic is tailored to the client and experience. Timeless, intricately detailed, and layered interior design is a constant, though, that is seen through all of our projects.'

How did your career start?

White foot stools and bench cushions, black chairs

(Image credit: Tim Waltman)

'I am originally from Sydney, Australia. After high school, I took a gap year and went to France. My first stop was Paris, and I was so very inspired by the beauty of it all – especially the city’s architecture and interiors. 

'After that, I studied Interior Design at University of Technology Sydney and worked for a couple of years for interior designers in Sydney before making my way to New York City.'

Black and white coffee table, black lamp

(Image credit: Tim Waltman)

What kind of work do you do?

Open plan kitchen dining and living room, wooden floors

(Image credit: Tim Waltman)

'We do a combination of private residences and large commercial multi-family projects including condominiums and rentals. 

'Some locations of projects we’ve worked on include Stockholm, Toronto, Miami, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Connecticut, The Hamptons and of course New York City. 

'250 East 21st Street is a beautiful condo project in Gramercy that we recently completed and has done remarkably well. The project is a beautiful and romantic Parisian-style building that was inspired by the European charm of Gramercy Park.'

Baby blue cabinets, wooden chairs

(Image credit: Tim Waltman)

'Our goal with the interiors was to mirror that charm and to design residences for people who appreciate romance and the drama of pre-war New York. 

'222 East Broadway, a unique tower and converted loft building on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, is a project we also recently did that is currently going strong too.'

Green walls, brown velvet sofa

(Image credit: Tim Waltman)

What is your specialism?

Wooden floor, stiped rug, gold framed mirrors

(Image credit: Tim Waltman)

'We are highly specialized in all facets of interior design, from custom furniture design, millwork, space planning, decorating, and curating, and material knowledge. 

'However, we do have a knack for color and bringing warmth and joy into a space through the palette. Our model residences at the Cortland are an example of our color play at work.'

Black and white wallpaper, cream armchair

(Image credit: Tim Waltman)

Do you have any side hustles currently?

Blue arm chairs, wooden coffee table, orange curtain

(Image credit: Colin Miller)

'Our Grace line with Waterworks is excusive to the condo projects that we design, including 222 East Broadway, and 250 East 21st Street. The custom-designed fixtures – such as the balsam green enamel handles found on the bathroom’s faucets in 222 East Broadway – add unexpected pops of color. 

'At The Cortland, Yves Klein blue armchairs in the living room (above) and a hunter green desk in the home office (below) adds playful yet sophisticated design touches.'

Green table, blue rug, fluffy chair

(Image credit: Colin Miller)

What inspires you?

Cream cabinets

(Image credit: Binyan Studios)

'Tastes and inspirations really evolve and change all the time. It all started with my trip to Paris, but I currently appreciate Pierre Yavonavitch, the city of Milan, Diego Giacometti, Carlo Scarpa and my garden in Connecticut!'

Who are your dream clients?

White framed windows, wooden tables, pink armchairs

(Image credit: Binyan Studios)

'Dream clients are kind and intelligent and let us do our designs. Dream clients know what amazing value we can bring and know when to tell you their vision and goals and when to let us design!! :)'

What’s next?

Red bed, yellow blanket, blue chairs, pink walls

(Image credit: Colin Miller)

'Lots of beautiful designs are in formation, including our first project in Washington DC (and largest to date) and my apartment on the Upper West Side in Manhattan.

Discover more: Paris Forino / Instagram @parisforino

Lucy Searle
Global Editor in Chief

Lucy Searle has written about interiors, property and gardens since 1990, working her way around the interiors departments of women's magazines before switching to interiors-only titles in the mid-nineties. She was Associate Editor on Ideal Home, and Launch Editor of 4Homes magazine, before moving into digital in 2007, launching Channel 4's flagship website, Channel4.com/4homes. In 2018, Lucy took on the role of Global Editor in Chief for Realhomes.com, taking the site from a small magazine add-on to a global success. She was asked to repeat that success at Homes & Gardens, where she has also taken on the editorship of the magazine.