By: Joshua Finley

Luxury interior design often gets reduced to aesthetics and trends, but for Rob Bowen, creating extraordinary spaces starts with something far more fundamental – truly knowing his clients. As the creative force behind his design firm, Rob has developed a unique approach that combines deep personal connections with expert execution.

Understanding Client Needs

Rob’s process begins not with color swatches or furniture catalogs but with understanding how clients want to feel in their space. “I know the side of the bed you’re sleeping on. I know where your toothbrush is. I know what’s on your nightstand,” he explains. “I know things that make you happy, and I know things that will never make you happy.” This attention to detail extends to the smallest aspects of daily life. “When you get out of bed, do you like that cold stone on your feet, or do you like it to be warm and comfortable?” Rob asks. “Do you like putting your feet on the sofa or you’re more of a sitter? Do you entertain a lot or a little?” These seemingly simple questions help build a complete picture of how clients live.

Sometimes, clients aren’t sure what they want, but Rob has developed creative ways to understand their style. “I’m usually like, is there anything that you really love? It could be your handbag, your purse, a pair of shoes, your dog,” he shares. From these personal items, he can decipher preferences for elements like symmetry, soft lines, or color accents.

Building Trust with Clients

While gathering information is crucial, Rob emphasizes that clients need to trust his expertise. “You hired me as a professional. Let me do my job, and I promise you, you’re going to love it,” he states. This trust allows him to explore creative boundaries and deliver spaces tailored to his clients’ vision.

The process involves what Rob calls “a beautiful dance” of mood boards and creative energy flowing back and forth between his team and clients. “Some of the most successful projects are the ones where our clients are like, ‘Hey, we’ve done high-end homes with you. I love every single one. Let’s push the boundaries a little further.'”

Collaborating with a Talented Team

Rob insists, “I should never be the smartest person in the room.” He has built a team of designers who are incredibly talented and “hemorrhaging creative juices.” This collaborative approach often leads to unique, well-rounded results as each team member contributes their perspective. The business side is handled by his husband Jason, a former military interrogator with 23 years of service. “It’s creative on one side with military interrogation on the other,” Rob jokes. This partnership allows him to focus on design while ensuring the business runs smoothly. “It’s kind of a neat “Yin and Yang” between me having all this wild creative energy and him making sense of it.”

The Reward of Getting It Right

Success comes when clients continue loving their spaces years later. “The most rewarding part is 5 years from the day they’ll call me and say, ‘I still love this house even more than I did the day I saw it. It’s still relevant, it still looks new, it’s still fresh, and it’s still inspiring.'”

For those considering a career in design, Rob offers straightforward advice: “Throw your ego out the window. It’s not about you. Be the best version of yourself every single day. Stay authentic to yourself, stay authentic to your design, stay authentic to your core.” His approach to client service remains grounded in humility. “Let my work speak for itself. I don’t have to tell you how cool I am,” he notes. “I would never say I am the coolest person in the room. You have to listen to me. It’s like, no, I’m here for you.”

To learn more about Rob Bowen’s design approach and see examples of his work, check out his website Rob Bowen Design.

Published by Mark V.