Do not underestimate a determined woman—or stand in her way. When interior architect Christina Magrans’s role at a global architecture firm was cut during pandemic downsizing, she saw opportunity. With two decades of experience designing for luxury brands including Dolce & Gabbana, Richemont, Tiffany & Co., and Longchamp, Christina struck out on her own, launching a U.S. outpost of the female-led Australasian firm Siren Design before rebranding it as Studio Lourdes, an interior design and architecture consultancy.

The firm name carries personal weight. Inspired by the strong sense of community in Lourdes, France, and named for Christina’s paternal grandmother—who immigrated to the U.S. during the Cuban Revolution—Studio Lourdes reflects her grandmother’s grit and a legacy of perseverance. That lineage extends to her father, who arrived in the U.S. at just 14, which also influenced Christina’s commitment to lead with empathy, integrity, and purpose.

A firm believer that “a happy team leads to happy clients,” Christina has built a boutique studio rooted in authenticity, joy, and continuous growth—creating an environment where both her team and her clients can thrive.

In our Fab 5, Christina offers a glimpse behind the architect and entrepreneur, sharing what good design means to her, how trusting the process matters, and how she unwinds at the end of the day.

What do you wish clients understood better about design?

When clients trust the process and give it the time it needs to unfold, the work naturally becomes more holistic, personal, and meaningful.

What does “good design” mean to you?

Good design holds an emotional intelligence. It anticipates how people move, what they need, and what they didn’t even know they needed. It creates clarity without sterility, warmth without clutter, intention without noise.

Good design isn’t about spectacle. It’s about resonance. It lingers long after you’ve left the room.

What everyday object do you think is beautifully designed?

A well-crafted ceramic cup. It holds warmth, weight, texture, and the maker’s intention. A good cup fits the hand, aligns with a daily ritual, and turns a moment as ordinary as drinking tea into something grounding.

Where’s an unlikely place where you’ve seen good design?

The Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires is one of the most unexpectedly exquisite examples of design. Walking through it feels like moving through a miniature city of architecture—neo-Gothic facades, Art Nouveau sculptures, Baroque details, even small Greco-Roman-inspired temples, all expressed through marble, bronze, stained glass, and intricate ironwork.

What’s on your nightstand right now?

A Byredo candle, quartz heart stones, a lavender eye pillow, a pile of unread books, and a noise-cancelling machine—all of which suggest I may be trying a little too hard to relax.