This October, HIDE Studio Interiors celebrated 10 years in business. A whole decade!
What started as a love for furniture, home decor, and creating personalized spaces has grown into a full-service residential interior design studio serving San Diego and the surrounding North County communities.
When our founder and principal designer, Hanin Smith, first started HIDE, she wasn't necessarily planning to build an interior design firm. After having her son and settling into the comforts of home, she began exploring her love for furniture and home accessories. What she initially imagined as a fun and easy side hustle selling home decor products online soon became something much bigger.
She shared her vision with her nanny, who became the very first member of Hanin's team. Together, they began selling home accessories through their own website, styling spaces, making pillows, and bringing their creative ideas to life. And just like that, Beachy Bohème was born.
It wasn't long before Hanin's neighbors took notice of her eye for styling and asked for her help with a home renovation. One project led to another, and before she knew it, she was designing a children's bedroom for a client she'd connected with online.
From there, things began to snowball. Hanin taught herself the ins and outs of the industry, learning everything from design software and space planning to sourcing furniture, managing projects, and understanding the technical side of residential design. She wore just about every hat imaginable, learning as she went and building the foundation for what HIDE Studio Interiors would eventually become.
Looking back, she's grateful she took a chance on something that started simply as a creative outlet. Little did she know where it would lead. Ten years, countless homes, and so many lessons later, we're looking back on the lessons that have shaped HIDE Studio into the business it is today.
01: Beauty and Function Go Hand in Hand
Encinitas Custom Cabinetry
When we started, we thought interior design was mostly about making things look beautiful. Ten years later, we know the most important details aren’t always the ones you see. They’re in how a sofa is built, how a fabric holds up, and how a room supports the way you actually live. A beautiful home should feel just as good to live in.
02: A Home Should Reflect Everyone Living In It
La Costa Living Room Design
Over ten years, we’ve learned how much our surroundings shape the way we live, feel, and even see ourselves. That means designing for real life while leaving room for possibility.
Young families can enjoy lighter fabrics thanks to performance options that make spills less stressful. Kids can have room to play, and adults can have spaces they love. The goal is a beautiful home that supports your life, where practical choices give you more freedom to enjoy it.
03: Good Design Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All
Encinitas Kitchen Remodel
One family loved to entertain and wanted music in their kitchen without visible or ceiling-installed speakers. We worked with their cabinetmaker to incorporate slatted doors that concealed the speakers while letting sound through.
These ten years have taught us to ask better questions. Sometimes the detail that makes a room work beautifully is something you’d never notice.
04: Sometimes, Less Really Is More
Vista Bedroom Furnishing
Our design style has evolved from the days of bohemian layers and a more is more mentality to something a little more edited and intentional. We still love mixing materials, colors, and collected pieces, but we've learned the value of structure, balance, and knowing when to stop.
05: Some Materials Never Go Out of Style
Del Mar Organic Modern Living Area
Trends come and go, but our love for natural marble, brass with a beautiful patina, and thoughtfully crafted furniture hasn't changed. We've learned that investing in quality materials and pieces you genuinely love will always outlast chasing the latest trend.
06: The Smallest Details Can Make the Biggest Difference
Del Mar Organic Modern Living Room
Window treatments are like the eyebrows and eyelashes of a room. Without them, something just feels unfinished. The same goes for layered lighting, where a combination of lamps, sconces, and overhead fixtures can completely transform how a space feels.
07: The Process Should Be Just as Beautiful as the Result
Oceanside Office Flex Guestroom
A beautiful home means so much more when the experience of creating it is equally enjoyable. We’ve learned that making our clients feel heard, supported, and taken care of throughout the interior design process is just as important as the final installation.
08: The People Make the Projects
Vista Living Room Furnishing
One of the most unexpected joys of the past decade has been the people (and pets) we've met along the way. From our clients and team to the builders, architects, artisans, and vendors we collaborate with, every relationship has taught us something new.
09: Interior Design Should Feel Approachable
Scripps Ranch Estate Furnishing
We've always believed that beautiful design shouldn't feel intimidating or out of reach. Whether it's selecting furniture for a single room or planning a full residential renovation, we want our clients to feel comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas, and enjoying the process.
10: The Greatest Reward Is a Client Who’s Proud of Their Home
Don’t take our word for it, this is what our recent Bressi Ranch client had to say:
Here's to the Next 10!
If Hanin could tell herself one thing on the day she started HIDE, it would be to dream bigger.
What began with a love for furniture and decor has become more than we could have imagined, and we're so grateful for every client, collaborator, and friend who's been part of the journey.
As we look toward the next decade, we're excited to keep refining our point of view, creating thoughtful spaces, and making the interior design experience something our clients genuinely enjoy.
And if this sparked any inspiration in you, don’t hesitate to reach out to us for help creating your vision.