Designing Dreams: Shivani Gounder’s Story of Passion and Purpose

In the world of interior design, the journey from student to successful professional is often shaped by passion, dedication, and a clear vision. Meet Shivani Gounder, a 2023 graduate of our online Interior Design course at The Interior Design Institute (IDI). As the Director of Madison Interiors, Shivani has transformed her love for design into a thriving business that focuses on creating beautiful, functional spaces for busy families.

Shivani’s journey into interior design is unique, starting with a childhood dream of fashion design and evolving into a deep passion for curating spaces that feel like home. Through our comprehensive course, she honed her skills, learning not only about design but also about building a business, managing projects, and connecting with clients.

In this post, we take a closer look at Shivani’s inspiring story, from her early days as a student to her current success in the industry, and how her education at IDI played a key role in shaping her career.

Join us as we explore Shivani’s design philosophy, her daily routines, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

Image Source: Graduated #IDIstudent Shivani Gounder from @madison.interiors_.

Meet IDI Graduate Shivani Gounder

Introduce yourself:

I’m Shivani Gounder, I’m the Director of Madison Interiors. We focus on custom residential interior design projects for busy families looking to build or renovate their dream homes.

What was your childhood dream?

I wanted to be a fashion designer as a child. We are always evolving and always changing but it's quite interesting that I’ve landed in another creative field.

What inspired you to become an interior designer?

When building my own dream home, I was inspired by the whole world of interior design. Whenever I was thinking about the design aspects of my new home I would be transported to a flow state, it was not stressful as other people described it, and I had so much fun and got so much energy while designing and curating my new home. I knew that this was my calling when all I wanted to do was design more and more new projects.

Image Source: Interiors by Graduated #IDIstudent Shivani Gounder from @madison.interiors_. Photography by @taylahcunninghamphotography.

What is a typical day in life like for you as an interior designer? Do you have any rituals that you stick to?

My days are varied. However, my mornings are usually dedicated to health and wellbeing, personal growth and family time. Once I’m in the studio I focus on Marketing and business development, checking in with my team, design delivery work and project management. There are many aspects of the business that require non-design time, so I dedicate time to focus on working on the business such as budgeting, accounting, reviewing performance and processes.

I am a big believer in daily habits to get towards reaching your goals.

How would you describe your design style?

We are a firm that caters to the client's style and brief. My own natural style is inspired by nature and would be a mix of Contemporary, Japandi, Coastal and Mediterranean styles.

Where do you find creative inspiration for your designs?

I am always inspired by nature and the world around me, influenced through everyday experiences and travelling the world.

Are there any themes that run through your work?

No matter what the style brief, consistency throughout the scheme is very important as a key them that we aim to execute in every design.

Image Source: Interior by Graduated #IDIstudent Shivani Gounder from @madison.interiors_. Photography by Adam McGrath.

What are some of your goals?

To grow the business we want to grow our revenue, our team and our reputation and reach.

Personally, I have plans to spend as much time doing what I love and getting others to support me along the way in this journey.

What kind of space do you work in?

I work in a home-based studio, which we initially designed as a media room or home gym room space. The multipurpose space in each home is such a useful space for an interiors studio. I’m very lucky to have a beautiful studio space with a client lounge, presentation table and a desk space all in one studio.

How do you find a healthy work/life balance?

My week is designed to a perfect week template, all my priorities are included like personal time, family time, social time, design time and time to work on my business. I think batching similar tasks is important. I also feel most productive in the morning so all of my high-priority tasks are completed in the morning.

What makes you most happy?

Coffee, meditation, movement, the beach, time spent with my family and friends and interior design!

Is the online community important to your work?

Absolutely, it’s a place for connection and collaboration and content creation is super important in order to increase your brand awareness. I am committed to creating helpful and inspiring content that I’m proud of.

What have been your business highlights so far?

I’ve been invited to participate in a magazine article for Downtown Magazine and a TV shoot for Dream Homes Revealed. These have been career highlights for me and the business. We love to collaborate with leading builders, architects, stylists, photographers and media outlets in the industry.

Image Source: Magazine Feature by Graduated #IDIstudent Shivani Gounder from @madison.interiors_.

Rapid Questions:

Favorite pastime/hobby:

Beachtime with my family. Jet skiing and other adrenaline sports.

Favorite colour:

Green – spiritual, calming, nature-based tones.

Favorite quote:

“1% better each day” – I’m about small consistent actions toward my goals.

Favorite book/magazine/show:

The New Mediterranean – the inspiration from Mediterranean projects from around the work is amazing.

Favorite brand/supplier/software:

Sketchup and Layout are the tools we use in my interior design business. I also love Programa as a scheduling tool.

Describe your work in three words:

Balance, Connect, Revive.

Image Source: Interiors by Graduated #IDIstudent Shivani Gounder from @madison.interiors_.

Interior Design Course Questions:

Why did you choose to study with IDI?

I chose to study with IDI because I found it had an interesting curriculum with different tiers of education, including the optional masterclasses.

What was your Favorite part of the course?

My favorite part of the course was learning about architectural and interior design styles throughout history.

What advice would you give to new students?

I would say if you were unsure where to start, just start and build up from there. You can’t go wrong with trusting your intuition and if you are constantly guided by your intuition to do a course, then go ahead and enrol. Invest in yourself and you will never go wrong.

How can people connect with you?

@madison.interiors_ + @shivani_gounder + madisoninteriors.com.au

Image Source: Interiors by Graduated #IDIstudent Shivani Gounder from @madison.interiors_.

Want to Learn How to Master Interior Design?

Shivani Gounder’s journey shows just how powerful it is to follow your passion and invest in your dreams. Since graduating in 2023, she’s been making waves as the leader of Madison Interiors, inspiring us all with her creativity and dedication, and we can’t wait to see what she does next.

If Shivani’s story has sparked your interest in interior design, why not explore your own creative potential? Our self-paced online course is perfect for anyone looking to change careers or start a new hobby, with flexible payment plans to help you get started. It’s never too late to design the life you love!