The year has flown by, and the holidays are fast approaching. This week, we asked 10 designers—Alyssa Alon, Margaret Donaldson, Kanika Gupta, Kristyn Harvey, Parul Jain Ghei, Tom Lawrence-Levy, Gala Magriñá, Michelle Palmer Murphy, Jason Saft and Marie Soliman—to share what they are most thankful for from 2024.
Thanks All Around
“I am most grateful for the incredible clients who trust me to bring their visions to life. The natural beauty of [the Southeast coastal] region continues to inspire me, offering endless opportunities for creativity. Above all, I am thankful for the talented team and collaborators who share my passion for crafting timeless, meaningful spaces that clients love to call home.” —Margaret Donaldson, MDI Luxury Design, Charleston, South Carolina
Stronger Together
“Each year, I am always grateful for my team because, without them and our collective effort, we wouldn’t be as successful as we are, and it just wouldn’t be as fun. The second thing I’m grateful for—and this may sound wild—is all of the challenges I’ve faced, reflected on and overcome in the past year. It has been difficult and has kicked my ass, but I stand here today as a better person because of it.” —Gala Magriñá, Gala Magriñá Design, Westchester, New York
A Year of Growth
“In 2024, we are deeply grateful for the continued growth of our interior design business and the opportunity to collaborate with inspiring clients. We feel incredibly fortunate to be entrusted with transforming our clients’ homes into spaces that enhance their daily lives. This year has been one of creative exploration, allowing us to push boundaries, embrace new design trends, and deliver projects that beautifully reflect our clients’ unique lifestyles and aspirations. We are also thankful for the resilience and camaraderie within the design community, where the shared sense of creativity and connection has been both motivating and fulfilling.” —Parul Jain Ghei and Kanika Gupta, Studio Jai, Roslyn Heights, New York, and Greenwich, Connecticut
Nationwide Adventures
“I am thankful for the trust and creative freedom [my clients] give me to bring their visions to life. I have had the chance to work on incredible projects in 2024, like starting a fabulous 26,000-square-foot French chateau in Raleigh, as well as traveling to many other states for projects, like South Carolina, Virginia, Michigan, California and Hawaii—which is a dream come true for me. My wonderful family and truly supportive husband are at the top of my gratitude list. They give me the balance and encouragement I need to keep pushing upward. And as a mom, I am beyond grateful for being able to be there for my son while managing everything else. Looking back, I feel immense gratitude for the love, collaboration and opportunities that shaped my journey this year.” —Michelle Palmer Murphy, Demi Ryan, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
New Opportunities
“This year, I’m grateful for being part of the Brooklyn Heights Designer Showhouse, which was such an exciting opportunity to showcase my work and connect with others in the industry. I’m also so thankful for my amazing clients, who trust my vision and have stood by me every step of the way. The best projects happen when everyone works together, respects the process and keeps a positive outlook—and I’m lucky to work with people who make that possible. These moments have truly deepened my passion for creating spaces that inspire and bring joy.” —Alyssa Alon, Alon Studio, New York
Home Team
“I am filled with gratitude for the incredible support and love from my family and friends—each of them holds a very special place in my heart! Their encouragement lifts my spirits every single day. I’ve also learned to appreciate the challenges the universe has presented this year; each one has played a crucial role in shaping my growth, success and resilience. This year has been nothing but awesome, with some amazing projects. I feel truly blessed to be involved in such creative and inspiring opportunities as interior architects. Also, winning the designer of the year! My greatest blessing of all is for my daughter and her achievements; she is a constant source of inspiration for me.” —Marie Soliman, Bergman Design House, London
Onwards and Upwards
“This past year we experienced holistic growth in key areas. I signed a long-term lease at Brooklyn’s Industry City for 24,000 square feet. Our new home is four times the size of our first warehouse, and I’m excited to bring on new team members. Soon we will be opening our inventory to designers and stylists for their photo shoots. From a creative standpoint, many of our most beloved projects—the ones that pushed us to be our most creative—came to us with the same message: ‘You’re the only firm we are talking to. You’re the one we want.’ That means the world to me. There is something so powerful in hearing how someone values the work you do and the passion you have for it.” —Jason Saft, Staged to Sell Home, New York
Lasting Relationships
“We are most grateful for the relationships we’ve built this year. Our clients are very trusting of our design vision and give us room to manage the projects as we see fit, and this has allowed us to create some magic! We also have amazing contractors we work with, and treasure the channel of communication we’ve built over the years.” —Kristyn Harvey, Kristyn Harvey Interiors, San Diego
Worldwide Travels
“2024 was chaotic in the best ways. It was a whirlwind year, traveling between London, Miami, Ibiza and Dubai, where we met incredible new people and clients and worked on projects we could have never imagined taking on a few years prior. The magnitude of the projects and the inspiration that I gained from the different cultures challenged me to push my boundaries and design in new and innovative ways. I’m so excited for 2025, and looking forward to some exciting new projects.” —Tom Lawrence-Levy, Natural Asthetik, London and Miami
