Let’s Play House

Dani Klarić’s Whimsical World

Interview by Jordan Staggs | Photography courtesy of Dani Klarić x Desenio

“My style is an unapologetic blend of playful nostalgia and contemporary maximalism, infused with vibrant colors and a lively feel,” said Dani Klarić, an interior designer and artist based in Miami. Her work has gained considerable attention online, as she encourages people to break away from traditional decor and uninspiring contemporary beige styles and instead “mix it up” in their homes. “There’s no single word for what I do because it’s a blend of so many influences that inspire me daily,” she continued. Klarić, a Gen-Z designer and influencer, has amassed an audience of around 2.2 million followers on Instagram and TikTok combined. “My design approach is experimental yet rooted, creating vibrant and eclectic spaces that skillfully balance the timeless with the trendy in unexpected ways.”

Klarić recently collaborated with the online home decor retailer Desenio to produce a collection of art prints on paper and canvas, all showcasing bold-hued critters, furnishings, and more. We were excited to hear her thoughts on this collection, her inspirations, and what’s next!

VIE: “Where do you find inspiration for your creative work and projects?”

Dani Klarić: I draw most of my inspiration from the world around me. It might sound cheesy, but I surround myself with people, cultures, and cities that inspire me creatively. I’m also a bit addicted to scrolling through Pinterest and Instagram—small artists and designers are where it’s at online. Nature is another big muse for me; there’s nothing like soaking in a stunning landscape to fuel fresh ideas. And let’s not forget my art books. I have a vast collection that keeps me inspired in my home every single day.

VIE: Tell us about your creation process, whether for an art piece or designing a space.

DK: My creative process always starts with what my team and I like to call “lookbooks”—essentially giant mood boards filled with inspirational photos, textiles, and color palettes. This is where the magic (and a little bit of madness) begins. From there, we start conceptualizing the layouts and renders, bringing those ideas to life. Lately, I’ve been designing a lot of custom furniture and decor pieces, which have been my favorites. I love pushing my limits and the creative “rules” that don’t exist in my mind because my team and I always love trying the “impossible” in design. My clients are also a significant source of inspiration; I want to capture their vision and push it even further to create something beyond their imagination. But no matter the project, I always start with a mood board.

VIE: How did you partner with Desenio, and what makes this print collection unique?

DK: A few years ago, I teamed up with Desenio for a collaborative post when I first started on social media. That collaboration meant the world to me because they saw something in me that I hadn’t even discovered yet. They genuinely admired my style. Fast-forward to this year: they reached out with the brilliant idea to collaborate on an art collection. I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect match. If you’ve seen my content, you know that I love gallery walls, so partnering with them felt natural. When I first started—decorating my first apartment—I realized how challenging it was to find art that was both affordable and accessible, so creating this collection was a dream come true because Desenio offers such affordable and beautifully framed aesthetic art pieces. What makes this collection truly special is that it reflects my quirky, whimsical style. I believe life shouldn’t be too serious—everything around you should spark joy, and I wanted this collection to capture that spirit.

VIE: What are your favorite designs in this collection?

DK: My main one is the “Have a Seat” poster. It’s a tribute to all the chairs I’ve come to adore. They are chairs I’ve always dreamed of owning, currently own, or have incorporated into my clients’ spaces in past projects. The crocodile poster is also another favorite of mine. The playful, quirky style reflects my love for all things whimsical and perfectly represents my personal style. Art doesn’t always have to be serious—it can be fun, lighthearted, and bring a smile to your face, which is precisely how this poster was born. And my third favorite has to be the dice poster. It’s more of a simple piece. This one goes to my “neutral” people who want to introduce a splash of whimsy and color into their homes. I have this one above my bed; it just adds that extra oomph we missed there.

VIE: How does it feel to see your art hanging in a gallery, public space, or someone’s home?

DK: Seeing my art hanging in public spaces and people’s homes feels unreal—it makes me so incredibly happy! It’s a dream come true to watch something that once only lived in my imagination come to life and then see it take on its own meaning in someone else’s space. Seeing everyone’s posts and my friends’ homes with this collection means the world to me. It’s incredible to see how many people are embracing this whimsical, playful style; I am thrilled to see color and whimsy making a comeback and feel so grateful to be part of that movement!

VIE: As an interior designer, how much of what you do reflects your style as opposed to your clients’?

DK: That’s a tough one! Most of my clients choose me because they resonate with my style, which is so unique, but it doesn’t mean they want precisely my style. And that’s fine—I love the challenge! Every project is different, but I feel like each one carries a piece of me, even if my own home doesn’t mirror the spaces I design for others. Those spaces are still very much a reflection of who I am. Clients come to my team looking for something unique, infused with that joyful vibe I bring to the table, whether it’s a colorful maximalist home or a sleek, neutral minimalist space. They’re drawn to the distinctiveness of our past projects and are eager to see how I can sprinkle my magic into their vision. That’s what makes design so much fun—I get to push boundaries and explore just what I’m capable of. I like to think each of my projects looks distinct, yet they all share the same touch of magic.

VIE: In recent years, you have gained significant traction on social media. What is it like to balance your business and influencer status?

DK: I feel so lucky to have centered my content around home decor—now my business seamlessly blends with being a content creator. I get to share everything about home, design, and my creative processes, making it easy to keep the content fresh and engaging. I also run a vintage clothing store in Miami, and even though it’s a different world, I believe fashion and decor go hand in hand. If you love interior design, you’ve got to love fashion too—it’s just like styling your space but on your body! Peachtree (my store) also shares that playful, whimsical side of me, which I believe my audience loves to watch. I see social media as a platform to showcase my art and inspire others, as I genuinely appreciate all the creators who do the same and keep me inspired.

VIE: What are the biggest challenges you face daily?

DK: Time is my biggest challenge—there’s never enough time to bring all my ideas to life! Balancing so many creative directions can be tricky, mainly because I want to do everything at once. I’m learning that each thing has its own timeline, and I’ll get to everything I want to do, one step at a time. As long as I give it my all, pour my heart and soul into it, and stay patient, everything will work out as it’s meant to. I also tend to procrastinate a lot because there is just so much I want to do—but again, I’m working on it!

VIE: What is your favorite part about what you do?

DK: My favorite part is bringing ideas to life—transforming my clients’ visions into reality. Whether it’s their dream home or a commercial space, curating a space they’ve always imagined feels like making their dreams come true. There’s nothing more fulfilling than seeing the smile on our clients’ faces when they see their new space. It’s incredibly inspiring. Most of our clients are new homeowners or small business owners whose passion and vision are truly motivating. There’s always that moment when I stand in a completed space and think, “Wow, we really did this, and it all started with just an idea. And now, our client has their dream home they can settle into or a store where they can grow.” It is such a magical feeling.

VIE: What do you believe makes art essential to the world, to individuals, and to you personally?

DK: Art is crucial because it transcends boundaries and connects people on a more profound and emotional level. For me, it’s a source of personal expression, inspiration, and solace, offering a way to communicate my feelings and ideas that words might not capture. Art is a vital outlet for creativity and joy; it’s where I explore my imagination, push boundaries, and find fulfillment. It turns ideas into experiences, enriches our surroundings, and makes life more vibrant and meaningful, which is why I do what I do!

VIE: Are there other artists and designers you admire and recommend our readers check out?

DK: David Hockney was one of the first artists to inspire me to pursue an art career. His work is so colorful and playful, which is precisely the style I love. Kelly Wearstler is one of the most amazing interior designers of our time; how she uses textures and patterns will forever inspire me. Luis Barragan is a famous Mexican architect—Barragan has been my dad’s inspiration since he was young, so I grew up seeing his work everywhere and touring the spaces he designed. I have grown to love every single space Barragan has ever designed. He is the epitome of the colorful Mexican aesthetic, which is such a beautiful style, and I hope to own a house in this style one day. And finally, I love Eero Saarinen, one of the most iconic architects and industrial designers of his time. He made quite a few furniture pieces that, to this day, are very popular and desired. He is the king of what we call “retrofuturism” design.

VIE: What’s next? Are there any new collections, events, or collaborations on the horizon?

DK: I recently launched my design firm, Euphoria Collective, with my business partner, Lainie, and I’ve been focusing on that since the beginning of the year. We’ve completed three projects thus far this year and have four more in the works, including an exciting one overseas in Kuwait. I’ll leave it at that for now, but it’s going to be wild!

I have yet to announce it, but I’m working on launching my own decor line under Euphoria, and I just bought a kiln so we can create our first handmade designs! Additionally, I recently bought a house with my boyfriend, Bello, and we’ve been having a blast de-modernizing it. I’m also hoping to buy a vacation property to design and create a total experience for my audience to stay in, which has always been a dream of mine.

I am also working on “e-guides” for those looking for interior design guidance for their space but don’t have the means to hire my team and me to design it fully. This one is really exciting; since I started designing, I have wanted to find a way to make design affordable for everyone, so the guides will have all kinds of tips and tricks for different budgets on curating a beautiful space inspired by my style. Stay tuned for that!

VIE: Thank you, Dani!

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Visit DaniKlaric.com or follow Klarić on Instagram and TikTok @daniklaric to see more, and visit Desenio.com to search the Desenio x Dani Klarić collection.