7th August 2026 | IN DESIGN ADVICE | BY SBID Share Tweet Pinterest LinkedIn Robert Glynn, Founder & Creative Director at Studio 31 Interior Design, has given his insights into the industry. I’m the Founder and Creative Director of Studio 31 Interior Design. Before starting Studio 31, I spent seven years as a Director at Habu Interior Design, working on residential and commercial projects across Ireland. Leaving Habu was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made. Starting your own business is daunting at the best of times, but I somehow decided it was also the right time to build my own home, launch a new company and raise a young family. Looking back, I honestly don’t know how we got through it. It was incredibly stressful, but it also gave me complete clarity about the type of design practice I wanted to build. Blackbarn became a turning point. Designing and building my own home reinforced everything I believe about good design and continues to influence every Studio 31 project today. Studio 31 Interior Design is pleased to be among the inspiring global design talent to have been shortlisted as a finalist in this year’s SBID International Design Awards for its entry, Blackbarn in the Residential House Under £1M category. Studio 31 Interior Design Why did you want to work in the interior design profession? I don’t think there was one particular moment where I decided to become an interior designer. Looking back, I’ve probably always looked at buildings differently. Even now I’ll walk into a restaurant or hotel and immediately start looking at the lighting, proportions and layout rather than the menu. What drew me into the profession was the mix of creativity and problem solving. You’re not creating art to sit on a wall; you’re creating spaces people live in every day. If you’ve done your job well, life becomes a little easier, calmer and more enjoyable. Studio 31 Interior Design Which elements of your profession do you enjoy the most? The beginning of a project is still my favourite part. Before we talk about colours or furniture, I want to understand how people actually live. Where do they drink their morning coffee? Who cooks? What frustrates them about their current home? Those conversations tell me far more than a Pinterest board ever will. I genuinely believe the best interiors aren’t designed around furniture—they’re designed around people. Studio 31 Interior Design What has been your most memorable career highlight from the past year? Without question, completing Blackbarn. It was the most rewarding and demanding project I’ve ever worked on. When you’re designing for yourself there’s nowhere to hide. Every decision is yours, and if you get something wrong, you’re the one living with it. Launching Studio 31 at the same time definitely wasn’t the sensible option, but together those experiences have shaped the designer and business owner I am today. Studio 31 Interior Design What are your favourite types of projects to work on and why? Residential projects will always be my favourite because they’re so personal. A house isn’t just another project; it’s where people build their lives. The projects I enjoy most are those where we’re involved early enough to influence both the architecture and the interiors. When everything is considered together from day one, the end result feels calmer, more cohesive and more natural. Studio 31 Interior Design What are the most challenging aspects of working in interior design? Helping people understand the value of the decisions they can’t necessarily see. Most people get excited about kitchens, sofas and finishes, but layout, proportion, circulation and natural light usually have a much bigger impact on how a home feels. I probably have a slightly controversial opinion as an interior designer, but I think liveability just edges aesthetics. I want every project to look beautiful, but if it doesn’t function brilliantly every day, then it hasn’t quite succeeded. The best homes don’t shout—they just quietly work. Studio 31 Interior Design What do you wish you knew before working in the field? Probably that only a small part of the job is actually designing. The rest is listening, communicating, solving problems and coordinating a talented team of people. Some of the best ideas don’t happen behind a computer, they happen on site. Studio 31 Interior Design If you could give one tip to aspiring designers, what would it be? Stay curious. Don’t just look at beautiful photographs online. Ask yourself why a space really works. Visit buildings, travel, spend time on construction sites and ask lots of questions. And don’t design for Instagram. Design for Sunday mornings, family dinners and rainy evenings. Those are the moments people actually remember. Studio 31 Interior Design How do you see the interior design industry evolving in the year ahead? I think we’re moving away from designing homes around trends and back towards designing them around people. Clients are asking better questions about longevity, craftsmanship and how their homes will work in ten or twenty years’ time. Personally, I think that’s a really positive direction for the industry. Studio 31 Interior Design Robert Glynn, Founder of Studio 31 Interior Design What does being an SBID Accredited Interior Designer mean to you? Starting Studio 31 was a huge leap of faith, so achieving SBID Accreditation feels like another important milestone. It’s fantastic to receive recognition from such a respected organisation, but more importantly it gives clients confidence that they’re working with a practice committed to high professional standards. Awards and accreditation are wonderful, but the real reward is handing over a home and knowing it will genuinely improve how someone lives for years to come. About Studio 31 Interior Design Studio 31 Interior Design is a Dublin-based interior design studio specialising in bespoke residential and commercial interiors throughout Ireland. We create timeless, functional spaces tailored to each client’s lifestyle, business and aspirations. Our comprehensive service includes interior architecture, space planning, lighting design, bespoke joinery, material specification, furniture sourcing and complete project management from concept through to completion. Every project is approached with creativity, meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to exceptional quality. Our work has been featured in leading Irish publications, reflecting our passion for creating beautifully considered interiors that stand the test of time. 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