With her finger on the pulse of the ever changing world of design, interior designer Juliana Ghani Sullivan saw a shift coming from a new era of homeowners. “There was a gap in the interior design industry where beautiful, high-end design could feel really unattainable, especially for a younger generation,” Ghani explains. “I wanted to create a studio where we could work with a wider range of budgets and still give clients that elevated, luxe feeling.” Having honed her skills in traditional firms, she launched her own studio, G. Atelier, with a fresh approach tailored to this new wave of clientele. By streamlining out unneeded services and tapping into growing vintage and reuse trends, Ghani’s curating spaces that ooze personality, balance iconic design with custom flair and come with a more accessible price tag. A peek inside her latest project, a moody disco-inspired escape for a vibrant family of five, proves that she’s onto something.
Photography by Grace Kirvida
Ghani connected with hair stylist Jess Palombo in the salon, naturally. Palombo shared that her family had outgrown their previous home and recently moved into an inconspicuous 1970s Tudor with lots of potential. The only problem? Trying to bring new life and some pizzazz into the home while balancing her taste and budget with furnishings that would hold up against the triumphs and trials of three busy kids was simply overwhelming. Ghani immediately saw the vision — eclectic yet inviting spaces filled with rich jewel tones, cozy textures and a dash of ultramod flair. So, Palombo put her trust and Pinterest inspiration board in the designer’s capable hands.
Growing up with the Internet and social media, Millennials and Gen Zers tend to have a strong sense of personal taste. When it comes to interiors, younger generations aren’t looking for guidance on style — their biggest hurdle is translating ideas into their own spaces: combining colors and patterns, discerning quality across finishes and furniture, staying on budget or, often, a combination of the three. And that’s precisely where Ghani’s expertise flourishes. “Working in traditional design taught me so much about creating things from scratch. Quality, textiles and proportion are what makes a space feel truly outstanding,” she says.
Honing the project’s aesthetic in a formal design presentation, Ghani outlined all the details, from the color story and which pieces to invest in to establishing a shared project vocabulary. While some elements like paint color or statement furniture items were set in stone, many were defined by aesthetic placeholders to serve as inspiration for the sourcing process. After reviewing each room with samples and swatches, they finalized the design plan and Ghani began scouring thrift and vintage avenues — Facebook Marketplace, Etsy, local antique stores and estate sales — to find the perfect pieces.
By nature, sourcing vintage requires both fluidity and patience, requiring a highly collaborative process. Curation can take a few months but options pop up quickly, so clients have to be ready to make decisions on the fly. While checking out a Pace-style coffee table from Facebook Marketplace, Ghani stumbled across a rare king-sized Danish bedframe that was perfect for the primary bedroom. She called Palombo immediately and was able to secure the piece for a fraction of what it sells for at auction. After a bit of refinishing, the warmth of the teak wood glows against the velvety purple hue of Farrow & Ball’s Brinjal adorning the bedroom walls. Details like the vintage glass sconce and wire-frame vanity chair complement the grounding centerpiece, creating a charming sanctuary for tired parents or little ones who’ve had a bad dream.
The reimagined living room delivers an inviting atmosphere, touting a chic blend of plush brown velvet seating, USM-style steel storage and natural materials. “I love the repurposed custom Karl Springer ottomans in the family room that we recovered in a deadstock retro fabric,” Ghani shares. The punchy pink pattern on the ottomans contrasts with a pair of groovy vintage rattan armchairs to add a playful energy to the space. The eclectic aesthetic continues into the color-drenched dining room, where a thick zebra-print rug anchors a collected dining set with casual elegance.
For particularly elusive solutions, Ghani thinks outside the box. “I love getting scrappy and figuring out how to execute a big design idea in an unconventional way,” she shares. “For example: I really wanted a reflective, op art–inspired moment over the living room record cabinet. I ended up sourcing convex parking garage mirrors and installing them in an artful way. They made the entire room!” The creative sculptural element provides a modern edge, echoing the chrome finishes on the bookcase hardware and light fixtures to tie the entire look together.
Throughout the home, one-of-a-kind details capture the family’s personality. Bold artwork sourced from estate sales adorn every room. A wall of custom cabinetry built by a newly established carpenter showcases their collection of books and trinkets. Rugs and light fixtures found on Etsy create intimate design moments throughout the space. It’s simultaneously homey, elevated and perfectly tailored to the Palombos. “I want my designs to make everyday life feel a little more chic and special,” Ghani says. “Whether that’s enjoying your morning coffee in your new breakfast nook, feeling proud when friends come over, or just walking through your house at the end of the day and saying to yourself, ‘Ugh, I love it here’.”
