DON'T MISS A THING

Noor Charchafchi, founder of Celine Interior Design, based in London and Dubai, is known for creating timeless, detail-rich interiors for luxury homes and commercial spaces worldwide. Her path into design is uniquely diverse—from a career in aviation finance law to performing with the English National Opera—blending precision with creativity. 

Since launching her studio in 2014, Noor has led her team in delivering award-winning projects across the UK, UAE, Monaco, and beyond. Her design philosophy marries elegance with intelligent craftsmanship, resulting in distinctive, impactful spaces that are as functional as they are beautiful. We also always love watching her live on Instagram!

In this special edition of the LH Design Questionnaire, Noor Charchafchi shares the inspirations and principles behind her exceptional work and offers a glimpse into the creative mind shaping some of the world’s most sophisticated interiors.

The LH Design Questionnaire with Noor Charchafchi of Celine Interior Design

WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT STATE OF MIND?

Focused and forward-thinking. I carry a sense of urgency almost every day—like time is always running out and there’s still so much more to do, more to build, more to become. But I’m also grounded by purpose and passion. That balance is what keeps me moving.

WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF PERFECT HAPPINESS?

For me, perfect happiness is found in love and presence—being with my children, my husband, my family, and close friends. It’s also when I see a vision come to life in our work. When a space we’ve created changes how someone lives and how they feel, that’s real fulfillment.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST EXTRAVAGANCE?

Time for myself and my family. It’s the one thing I fight hardest to protect, and yet it’s the easiest to lose in a busy life. Those uninterrupted moments of connection feel like true luxury.

YOUR BEVERAGE OF CHOICE

I used to rely on a strong black coffee every morning to kick-start my day. But after Ramadan, I always come out feeling stronger and more in tune with what my body and mind really need. I’ve been consciously stepping away from the habits that hold me back, and caffeine is one of them. My focus now is on what serves my long-term clarity, health, and growth.

WHICH WORDS OR PHRASES DO YOU MOST OVERUSE?

“There’s not enough time,” “We can do this,” and “How can we make it better?” I live with a constant feeling that time is short—that there’s always more we could be doing. But that’s also what drives me. I’m always looking for ways to elevate what we’re doing, to refine, to grow.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?

My resilience. I built Celine Interior Design from nothing, through criticism, challenge, and doubt. Every step of the way, I’ve had to push through things that could have broken me. Today, we’re one of the top 50 companies in the UK and have grown into an international brand—but it’s the strength it took to get here that I’m proudest of.

IF YOU WERE TO DIE AND COME BACK AS A PERSON OR A THING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Something that never stops moving forward—like a bird that’s always climbing higher, no matter the wind. Always adapting, always growing.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST REGRET?

I try not to dwell on regret—it steals energy from the present. But if I had to name one, it would be not trusting my instincts sooner. I’ve learned that your inner voice is your most powerful compass if you listen to it early enough.

WHAT PROFESSION DOES YOUR ALTER EGO HAVE?

Definitely a fashion designer—or a singer. I’ve always loved beautiful clothes and the craft behind them. I also love music and the freedom that comes with expressing emotion through voice. Both art forms tell stories, and I’ve always been drawn to storytelling through beauty.

THE PROJECT YOU WILL NEVER FORGET?

A client in London who loved gold—really loved it. The challenge was turning that love into something elegant, artistic, and still deeply personal. We worked very closely with them to strike that perfect balance. The result was not only beautiful but also completely unique to them, and that’s when design really succeeds.

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM FETISH?

Fine details. I’m obsessed with how things come together—how materials meet, how light hits a texture, the emotion a space evokes. The deeper you go into the details, the more magic you create.

THE MOST TIMELESS DESIGN.

Design that is built around people. When you design for someone’s lifestyle, not for trends, the result is naturally timeless. It reflects who they are, and that never goes out of style.

YOUR FAVORITE DESIGNER.

I’m inspired by designers who are bold enough to stay true to themselves—those who don’t follow trends but create something meaningful and lasting.

YOUR FAVORITE DECADE.

The 1920s and 30s for their elegance, structure, and sense of craftsmanship. And the 1970s for its bold spirit and fearless experimentation.

YOUR CONTEMPORARY MUSE OR INSPIRATION.

Women who lead with strength and vulnerability. Those who build something real while still nurturing their families, their teams, and themselves. They are my inspiration.

YOUR HISTORICAL MUSE OR ICON.

While I deeply admire Coco Chanel for breaking boundaries in fashion and redefining what women could do creatively and commercially, the person who resonates even more profoundly with me is Zaha Hadid. She wasn’t just a visionary in architecture—she was a force who broke through a world that, for far too long, didn’t make space for women, let alone Arab women. 

As an Iraqi-born, Arab female designer, I see her not only as a pioneer but as someone who redefined what was possible for people like me. Her legacy reminds us that brilliance has no borders, and her presence in the world still challenges the narrow definitions of success and influence.

In today’s shifting landscape, where we are finally broadening the icons we look up to, her story is one I hold close—powerful, relevant, and deeply inspiring. And if legacy matters—and I believe it does—then the most important thing about it is not just what you build or achieve, but who you inspire to keep going after you. To me, the true measure of legacy is having people who live beyond you tell your story because it became part of their own.

THE DESIGN FAUX PAS YOU CAN TOLERATE MOST.

A bit of over-accessorising. If it’s done with intention and joy, it can still bring personality to a space.

THE DESIGN FAUX PAS YOU CAN TOLERATE LEAST.

Spaces designed just to look good, with no thought for how they’ll be lived in. A beautiful room that doesn’t support the lifestyle of the person in it isn’t good design. Function and soul have to come first.

YOUR DESIGN MOTTO.

Know the rules. Then break them—if it means doing something better. Design is about courage.

WHAT WILL YOUR LEGACY BE?

A legacy of purpose-driven design. I want the homes we’ve created to continue improving people’s lives long after we’ve left. And I want young women—especially those who’ve had to fight for their dreams—to know it’s possible. You can build something extraordinary if you stay relentless and true.

WHAT’S NEXT?

I’m growing my team, scaling the business internationally, and refining how we design so we can have even more impact. I’m still just getting started—there’s always more to create, and always someone new to serve.

WHAT 3 WORDS COME TO MIND WHEN YOU THINK OF KOKET?

Empowered. Sensual. Fearless.

LOVE HAPPENS WHEN…

When you grow. When you evolve and push past your limits. It’s also found in gratitude—in those quiet moments when you see just how far you’ve come.

Visit celineinteriordesign.com for more Noor Charchafchi.

All Photos Courtesy of Celiner Interior Design

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Noor Charchafchi, The Woman of Celine Interior Design