6th February 2024 / Prue Fletcher: Interior Design Expert Yasmine Ghoniem Takes on New Project with Grand Designs Transformations

Grand Designs Transformations co-host Yasmine Ghoniem

Words by Rosie Herdman‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Photography by Prue Ruscoe

When asked how she describes herself and what she does, interior designer Yasmine Ghoniem easily captures how a living space can affect your mental and emotional state.

"I'm a mood maker," the founding director of award-winning multidisciplinary practice YSG tells Broadsheet. "Our spaces really talk about emotions as much as aesthetics … it's about how you feel in a space."

Ghoniem started YSG in 2020 but has been a respected presence in the industry for over a decade, launching design collective Amber Road with her sister Katy Svalbe, a landscape architect, in 2013.

YSG specialises in high-end projects that require thinking outside the box. Some are also high profile – like Zoë Foster Blake and Hamish Blake's colourful (and much-publicised) family home.

La Palma was a design project by YSG Studio in Sydney's Palm Beach Photo: Prue Ruscoe

When she was younger, Ghoniem lived between Australia, the Middle East and America, eventually settling in Sydney – if you could call her on-the-go lifestyle settled. "I've lived in lots of different countries my whole life, so I feel my travels have definitely permeated my interiors."

A variety of design novices benefit from her hefty experience and global point of view as part of her latest project: co-hosting the new ABC series Grand Designs Transformations.

Updating the format we all know and love, the show focuses on renovations of existing homes rather than building from scratch. It was a great experience, says Ghoniem, who – like many – was already a fan of Grand Designs. "I couldn't say no … I loved the idea of modernising it slightly and bringing something different."

Behind the scenes, Ghoniem is across each individual project – but as she also runs a busy practice day-to-day, she enjoyed stepping back and watching them evolve. "I'm sort of like the prober, the devil's advocate. I ask them questions to expand their thoughts or confirm why they're doing things, so at the outcome they've really thought about it."

And of course, there's the human narrative behind each design. "I think that's what Grand Designs does really well: the stories are always really interesting, and you've got such great characters."

Ghoniem would love to see more home owners embrace colour. Photo: Prue Ruscoe

We're always curious about the homes of those whose job it is to design houses for other people. Ghoniem moved into her warehouse-like space a year and a half ago, with its beautiful bones, spiral staircases, concrete floors and internal courtyard.

She was keen to live in the place for a while to determine the renovation needs. "I think a number one take home, for anybody who's thinking about designing their own house, is give yourself a brief."

While Ghoniem usually works with generous budgets and plenty of custom elements, she has a tip for those with less to spend: embrace colour. "I feel it's underrated because people are scared of colour and don't appreciate that paints are the easiest way to transform a space," she says.

YSG specialises in high-end projects. Photo: Prue Ruscoe.

You could also take a note from one of YSG's signatures: the statement ceiling.

"Ceilings are underutilised areas of colour and patterns. If you're one of those people who don't like a lot of colour, applying it to a plane like the ceiling, where it's not as visible as the floor but still is very much in your peripheral, is a great way to explore and have fun."

Source Domain.com.au